INVESTING IN AMERICA'S BORDERS

WHEREAS, Canada is America's largest trading partner; and

WHEREAS, Mexico is America's second largest trading partner; and

WHEREAS, the benefits of trade with Mexico and Canada include expanding business opportunities, jobs and increased economic growth in cities all across the country; and

WHEREAS, America's border cities play a key role in facilitating this economic growth as ports of entry, distribution and transportation centers for the rest of the country; and

WHEREAS, most U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada trade moves by truck and rail through land border ports over bridges and roads built and maintained by U.S. border cities; and

WHEREAS, border cities and communities face unique challenges and responsibilities in the physical and human infrastructure areas of transportation, the environment, health, education, communications, law enforcement, immigration, and public safety,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT The United States Conference of Mayors recognizes that the country's northern and southern borders are the front door to America's future, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT The United States Conference of Mayors calls upon the Federal government to implement a coordinated focus on border community needs and initiatives in each department, agency and bureau, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT The United States Conference of Mayors calls upon the Congress to authorize and fund programs targeted towards removing obstacles to improved efficiency and increased ease of cross-border trade processes, as well as improving the quality of life in border cities and communities, and that further address the unique challenges of border cities, to include:

• U.S. Customs Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service staff and automation resources in northern and southern border operations,
• The Borders and Corridors program,
• Health programs and initiatives, including hospitals in border areas and resources to study the causes of disease in border areas,
• Education,
• Environmental issues, including the many crises impacting on human and infrastructure development in the colonias, and
• Law enforcement.