WHEREAS, the arts and humanities enhance and enrich the lives of all Americans; and

WHEREAS, the arts and humanities affect every aspect of life in America today including the economy, social problem solving, job creation, education, creativity, and community livability; and

WHEREAS, cities and states - through their local and state arts agencies and representing thousands of cultural organizations - have celebrated the value and importance of culture in the lives of Americans and the health of thriving communities during National Arts and Humanities Month for several years; and

WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors has actively participated in National Arts and Humanities Month since 1984; and

WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors' national arts partner, Americans for the Arts, will again coordinate this year a national awareness campaign of activities for National Arts and Humanities Month; and

WHEREAS, the nation's 23,000 cultural organizations, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the nation's 4,000 local arts agencies, the arts and humanities councils of the 50 states and U.S. jurisdictions, and the President of the United States have participated in the past and will be encouraged to participate again this year in this national celebration and public awareness campaign; and

WHEREAS, the month of October 2002 has been designated as National Arts and Humanities Month,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the United States Conference of Mayors urges mayors to build partnerships with their local arts agencies and other members of the arts and humanities community in their cities to proclaim, to participate in, and to celebrate the month of October as National Arts and Humanities Month.