RECOGNITION OF BOISE MAYOR H. BRENT COLES

WHEREAS, Boise Mayor H. Brent Coles ably served as President of The United States Conference of Mayors, 2000-2001; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as Conference President, Mayor Coles directed many new initiatives and other important efforts to continue to make America's cities stronger at home and throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, among these initiatives, the Presidential transition was a central theme of his tenure and was guided by the broad input of the Conference Membership through mayoral transition teams, transition forums and meetings that resulted in the adoption of a 10-point plan, "Priorities for the New American City," to ensure that cities remain the economic engines of the U.S. economy; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Coles successfully led mayors in member sessions with President George W. Bush at the 69^th Annual Meeting and at the Council for Investment in the New American City in April; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Coles championed the "Well-Being of the Family" as a policy priority, urging that governmental decisions be measured by this standard; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Coles elevated the national debate on drug treatment, efforts which have helped raise the visibility of this chronic national problem; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Coles initiated a movement on rails in America, calling for the establishment of a National Rail Policy for the 21^st Century; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Coles further enhanced the standing of The United States Conference of Mayors and America's cities in the International arena, which included leading mayoral delegations to Israel and France,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors, hereby thanks Mayor H. Brent Coles, for his service and through whose leadership The United States Conference of Mayors successfully engaged with the new White House at the highest levels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors looks forward to Mayor H. Brent Coles' continued involvement as past president of the Conference of Mayors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the mayors of this nation wish Mayor Coles the greatest success, both now and in the future, respectfully and warmly saluting his career as a local elected official.