HOMELAND SECURITY BLOCK GRANT

WHEREAS, America's mayors are 100 percent committed to the homeland war against terrorism; and

WHEREAS, cities throughout the nation have already dedicated unprecedented, and mostly unbudgeted, resources to the new war on terrorism as detailed in a survey released by the Conference of Mayors in January 2002 which found that from September 11, 2001 through the end of 2002, cities will spend an additional $2.6 billion on new homeland security priorities including equipment, overtime and training; and

WHEREAS, following the tragic and criminal attacks of September 11, the Conference of Mayors sponsored a Mayors Emergency Safety and Security Summit at which mayors, police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and public health officials developed a National Action Plan for Safety and Security in Americas Cities; and

WHEREAS, the Conference of Mayors has presented this plan to the Administration in extensive meetings with President George W. Bush, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, Attorney General John Ashcroft, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, FBI Director Robert Mueller, and other top officials; and

WHEREAS, the National Action Plan has been presented to Congress in meetings and testimony before key House and Senate committees; and

WHEREAS, contained in the National Action Plan is the call for a new Homeland Security Block Grant with direct local funding and flexibility to address priority local concerns,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on the Congress to pass, and the President to sign, legislation creating a Homeland Security Block Grant with direct local assistance and maximum flexibility.