April 28, 2003

Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown recently hosted the 29th Annual Convention of the National Conference of Black Mayors, April 23_26. Arcadia (OK) Mayor Marilyn Murrell is the current President of the Conference.

Among the top issues discussed by mayors attending the meeting were the need for direct funding for Homeland Security and the rising cost of the nation's war to their individual towns and cities.

Brown said, "The cities are the first line of defense and that is true enough. Terrorists may have been making war on America, but their direct impact was on New York City and the Washington, DC area on September 11, 2001."

Also headlining the Black Mayors Conference were three Democratic presidential candidates who addressed the mayors in a forum. Rep. Dick Gephardt, (MO) focused on a health care proposal that he announced earlier last week that would cost an estimated $692 billion from 2005 through 2007.

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean also discussed his health care plan which he says will guarantee insurance for all Americans under 25, add prescription benefits to Medicare and help small businesses and self-employed workers cover health care costs.

Rev. Al Sharpton addressed the viability of his candidacy.