Washington, DC
January 10, 2003

All through the holiday season and as we rang in the New Year with festivities and joy, the television with its crawl line and the newspapers headlines on the front pages and in the business sections gave us the grim picture that the economic health of our nation worsens. And while in our nation as so many celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, it is regarded as a time and season for peace, love and prosperity. As we left 2002 and grabbed 2003 for another year, many Americans are concerned about the economy and how it hits home to their personal and family budgets, many are jobless and the unemployed fear as to what will happen to their own jobs and the economic health of their own financial situation. And the impending probable war against Iraq presents an uneasiness among many because of how we feel about our own personal safety for ourselves and our loved ones due to the fact that we are so changed since the dastardly attacks of 9/11. With the Gulf War of 1991, we basically went about our daily business and leisure activities. That war did not affect our travel and business activities but this war will because we are told by our federal government and we are reminded through our television daily that we are not safe from terrorist attacks here in USA cities and metropolitan areas.

History shows that Americans by nature are reluctant to go to war. In the Fall of 1941, historians point to polls that show we did not want to wage war in Europe and Asia. As strong as FDR was, it took the attacks of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 to galvanize our nation into a war machine that took Hitler out and when President Harry Truman dropped the big one on Japan and General Douglas MacArthur was there to accept the unconditional surrender of the Japanese. Today, since Vietnam and also since we didn't get the bad guy out in the Gulf War the first time around and the continuing debate over the nuclear capability of North Korea, there is an uneasiness about the pending war even through we support President Bush and the Congress as they lead us forward to put our troops and all of us in harm's way due to the fear we have of how the international network of terrorists will do harm to us here in America. We do know though that it is the killing and bombing that will soon begin. With the Gulf War we saw heat missiles on television go down chimneys and take out factories. We marveled at what our military technology would do. Sometimes when you watched it, it looked like some of the video games we play on XBox or Play Station. We didn't see the blood and gore we saw on the TV with Vietnam. And again, we were not afraid that Saddam could hurt us or our children. 9/11 has changed all that. This time, with this war, many have to ask the question, what will happen when the terrorists here in our country respond with harmful and deadly activities against peaceful and innocent Americans at home and abroad.

As we are concerned about international terrorism and what it could do to harm us personally, we are also aware that crime - regular street crime, gang warfare, and domestic violence - is on the rise in many of our metropolitan areas. Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn says we must be concerned about what he calls "domestic terrorism" due to the outburst of killings we have had in recent months. Last Fall police chiefs reported that domestic violence, battering and other violent activities are rising in many of our cities and suburbs. Some ask why and some experts tell us that when the economic situation forces layoffs and joblessness, it does cause stress which leads to personal violence in homes and on our streets and in our neighborhoods. But regular So all is not well in the hearts and minds of many Americans as we kiss 2002 goodbye and grab 2003 for the rough ride ahead. Our economic security and our homeland security seems challenged and it is a bit difficult this year for us to sing "Silent Night, Silent Night - Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Sleep in Heavenly Peace" when in our homes, at our workplaces, our schools, on our streets, in our neighborhoods our peace is threatened and our economic security is threatened with joblessness on the rise and the fear that more layoffs are coming which takes away paychecks, and causes pause and apprehension of those now employed as to what the worsening economic picture could do to our pocketbooks, bank accounts and our personal and family budgets.

History shows that Americans by nature are reluctant to go to war. In the Fall of 1941, historians point to polls that show we did not want to wage war in Europe and Asia. As strong as FDR was, it took the attacks of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 to galvanize our nation into a war machine that took Hitler out and when President Harry Truman dropped the big one on Japan and General Douglas MacArthur was there to accept the unconditional surrender of the Japanese. Today, since Vietnam and also since we didn't get the bad guy out in the Gulf War the first time around and the continuing debate over the nuclear capability of North Korea, there is an uneasiness about the pending war even through we support President Bush and the Congress as they lead As we are concerned about international terrorism and what it could do to harm us personally, we are also aware that crime - regular street crime, gang warfare, and domestic violence - is on the rise in many of our metropolitan areas. Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn says we must be concerned about what he calls "domestic terrorism" due to the outburst of killings we have had in recent months. Last Fall police chiefs reported that domestic violence, battering and other violent activities are rising in many of our cities and suburbs. Some ask why and some experts tell us that when the economic situation forces layoffs and joblessness, it does cause stress which leads to personal violence in homes and on our streets and in our neighborhoods. But regular So all is not well in the hearts and minds of many Americans as we kiss 2002 goodbye and grab 2003 for the rough ride ahead. Our economic security and our homeland security seems challenged and it is a bit difficult this year for us to sing "Silent Night, Silent Night - Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Sleep in Heavenly Peace" when in our homes, at our workplaces, our schools, on our streets, in our neighborhoods our peace is threatened and our economic security is threatened with joblessness on the rise and the fear that more layoffs are coming which takes away paychecks, and causes pause and apprehension of those now employed as to what the worsening economic picture could do to our pocketbooks, bank accounts and our personal and family budgets.

As we are concerned about international terrorism and what it could do to harm us personally, we are also aware that crime - regular street crime, gang warfare, and domestic violence - is on the rise in many of our metropolitan areas. Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn says we must be concerned about what he calls "domestic terrorism" due to the outburst of killings we have had in recent months. Last Fall police chiefs reported that domestic violence, battering and other violent activities are rising in many of our cities and suburbs. Some ask why and some experts tell us that when the economic situation forces layoffs and joblessness, it does cause stress which leads to personal violence in homes and on our streets and in our neighborhoods. But regular So all is not well in the hearts and minds of many Americans as we kiss 2002 goodbye and grab 2003 for the rough ride ahead. Our economic security and our homeland security seems challenged and it is a bit difficult this year for us to sing "Silent Night, Silent Night - Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Sleep in Heavenly Peace" when in our homes, at our workplaces, our schools, on our streets, in our neighborhoods our peace is threatened and our economic security is threatened with joblessness on the rise and the fear that more layoffs are coming which takes away paychecks, and causes pause and apprehension of those now employed as to what the worsening economic picture could do to our pocketbooks, bank accounts and our personal and family budgets.

So all is not well in the hearts and minds of many Americans as we kiss 2002 goodbye and grab 2003 for the rough ride ahead. Our economic security and our homeland security seems challenged and it is a bit difficult this year for us to sing "Silent Night, Silent Night - Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Sleep in Heavenly Peace" when in our homes, at our workplaces, our schools, on our streets, in our neighborhoods our peace is threatened and our economic security is threatened with joblessness on the rise and the fear that more layoffs are coming which takes away paychecks, and causes pause and apprehension of those now employed as to what the worsening economic picture could do to our pocketbooks, bank accounts and our personal and family budgets.

As mayors, you are the closest to the American people. Budget fights inside the beltway between President Bush and the Congress over billions here and billions there - this is hard for the average voter to understand. No one has done an adequate enough job to hone down the message of what the national economic picture means to the so many struggling American families and individuals who get up and go to work each day or get up and go back out there looking for a job to support themselves or their families.

If ever there was a time when local and state officials should come together to help the Congress and the Administration forge a national agenda to help us restore economic security and homeland security in our nation, it is now.

The economic reports over the past few months continue to give us the grim picture of how economically sick so many of the state governments are as we begin 2003. Not since the great depression have state governments been so broke and desperate. As we bailed out the airlines after 9/11 with $15-18 billion, the states believe our federal government should help them now. Over the past few weeks there were reports that President Bush would announce his support for a multi-billion dollar general fiscal assistance package for state governments. However, his initiatives announced in Chicago fell short of what the state governments need and there is deep concern coming from longtime respected professionals in the state government arena that the AdministraAs the President announced his plan in Washington, the new Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and her House leadership team announced their proposal which includes targeted aid, including assistance to states and localities. The Pelosi plan would provide billions to state and local governments targeted to homeland security, transportation, medicaid cost-sharing and special needs to those hurt most by the economic downturn. In addition, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is proposing a massive aid package targeted to homeland security needs. His plan follows very much our recommendations we have called for since 9/11. Another proposal, drawing a lot of attention comes from Montana Senator Max Baucus who will be the ranking Democrat on the Finance Committee.The key point is that the economic picture is so bad that we will have one plan after another as Congress and the Administration all get out front with their remedies to the economic downturn. While everyone on Capitol Hill will have a plan, Conference of Mayors President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino believes that state and local governments should work together to provide a state and local government political agenda to meet the crisis we face on homeland and economic security . Mayor Menino has reached out to Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, now Chairman of the National Governors Association, to determine if we can find common ground as we approach the Administration and Congress. Mayor Menino recently met with Governor Patton and they have agreedWithout question, there are voids to be filled at the present time and too many times proposals are put forth that will not play well or work for state, counties and cities as we cope with the two-headed monster of challenges we face with today's economic security and homeland security.

As the President announced his plan in Washington, the new Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and her House leadership team announced their proposal which includes targeted aid, including assistance to states and localities. The Pelosi plan would provide billions to state and local governments targeted to homeland security, transportation, medicaid cost-sharing and special needs to those hurt most by the economic downturn. In addition, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is proposing a massive aid package targeted to homeland security needs. His plan follows very much our recommendations we have called for since 9/11. Another proposal, drawing a lot of attention comes from Montana Senator Max Baucus who will be the ranking Democrat on the Finance Committee.The key point is that the economic picture is so bad that we will have one plan after another as Congress and the Administration all get out front with their remedies to the economic downturn. While everyone on Capitol Hill will have a plan, Conference of Mayors President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino believes that state and local governments should work together to provide a state and local government political agenda to meet the crisis we face on homeland and economic security . Mayor Menino has reached out to Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, now Chairman of the National Governors Association, to determine if we can find common ground as we approach the Administration and Congress. Mayor Menino recently met with Governor Patton and they have agreedWithout question, there are voids to be filled at the present time and too many times proposals are put forth that will not play well or work for state, counties and cities as we cope with the two-headed monster of challenges we face with today's economic security and homeland security.

The key point is that the economic picture is so bad that we will have one plan after another as Congress and the Administration all get out front with their remedies to the economic downturn. While everyone on Capitol Hill will have a plan, Conference of Mayors President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino believes that state and local governments should work together to provide a state and local government political agenda to meet the crisis we face on homeland and economic security . Mayor Menino has reached out to Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, now Chairman of the National Governors Association, to determine if we can find common ground as we approach the Administration and Congress. Mayor Menino recently met with Governor Patton and they have agreedWithout question, there are voids to be filled at the present time and too many times proposals are put forth that will not play well or work for state, counties and cities as we cope with the two-headed monster of challenges we face with today's economic security and homeland security.

Without question, there are voids to be filled at the present time and too many times proposals are put forth that will not play well or work for state, counties and cities as we cope with the two-headed monster of challenges we face with today's economic security and homeland security.

The nation and especially the political world will be most interested in what our nation's mayors are recommending as you all gather here in two weeks. We will keep you informed on the progress Mayor Menino has made as he works to present to you recommendations for your consideration. It is important you be here with us as we convene our 2003 Winter Meeting. We need your voice, your energy and your political skills as we go forward. If you have not registered, please do so now by contacting Carol Edwards, Director of Convention Services, at 202-293-7330 for information for your participation.

I look forward to seeing you at our Winter Meeting on the 22nd. We need you now - more than ever.