By Ellen H. King
June 23, 2003

On Saturday, June 7 at The U.S. Conference of Mayors 71st Annual Meeting in Denver, Conference Vice President James A. Garner, Providence Mayor and CUSP Chair David Cicilline stood with DuPont Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Stacey Mobley to award a total of $750,000 to seven cities for their Lead-Safety proposals. The Conference of Mayors/DuPont Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP) partnership sponsors the Lead-Safe...For Kids' Sake Grant Program Initiative.

The top award for $250,000 was presented to Philadelphia Mayor John Street. Five awards for distinction in the amount of $100,000 each were given to Dayton (OH) Mayor Rhine McLin and Kettering (OH) Mayor Marilou Smith (jointly); Durham Mayor William Bell; Lynwood (CA) Mayor Fernando Pedroza; Manchester Mayor Robert Baines; and New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin.

CUSP's Lead-Safe...For Kid's Sake grants are awarded for mayors' proposals to create new and effective solutions to help make city neighborhoods Lead-Safety. Eighty-five cities submitted applications this year. Grant recipients will use their award funds to help implement critically needed Lead-Safety practices.

"We are highly encouraged by the actions cities are taking to create Lead-Safety communities," noted DuPont's Mobley. "All these winners demonstrate a true commitment to a bright and safe future for cities nationwide."

Conference Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran added, "We applaud these mayors and their cities for implementing Lead-Safety initiatives that will help make their communities safer and improve the quality of life for children. We are also pleased to stand with our partner, DuPont, to assist cities in developing safe environments."

CUSP visits cities across the country and teams up with mayors to assist them in creating healthier, safer and more innovative and economically vibrant cities through science-based solutions. To learn more about the CUSP partnership, please contact CUSP Managing Director Ellen H. King by phone at 202-861-6798 or by e-mail at eking@usmayors.org.