By Ellen H. King
July 1, 2002

During the 70th Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting, Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP) Chair Orlando Mayor Glenda E. Hood invited mayors to join an informational session on the USCM and DuPont partnership. Mayor Hood gave a brief overview of the warm welcome that CUSP has received from mayors across the country and reviewed for mayors the many successes CUSP has achieved in cities thus far. As Mayor Hood explained, CUSP visits cities and teams up with the mayor to assist them in creating healthier, safer and more innovative and economically vibrant cities through science-based solutions.

As part of the meeting, Mayor Hood introduced Mary Kate Campbell of DuPont to explain DuPont's role in the partnership. As Ms. Campbell explained, DuPont funnels it's scientific expertise and resources into the partnership in an effort to better protect and serve cities. The partnership benefits from the Conference and DuPont's commitment to safety, security, innovation, excellence and a passion for education in our nation's cities.

Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer also joined the meeting to share with attending mayors his experience with CUSP's "Science in the School Day." Mayor Palmer explained how CUSP brought the educational initiative, along with DuPont Engineers, to an elementary school in his city to involve Mayor Palmer and Trenton school children in a science experiment displaying elementary engineering principles. Mayor Palmer also spoke about Trenton's recently awarded CUSP "Lead-SafeÉFor Kid's Sake" Grant and his plans to incorporate the grant funds into existing lead-safe initiatives in his community.

Also in attendance, Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson spoke about his successful involvement with CUSP's "Lead-SafeÉFor Kid's Sake" Grant Program. The City of Indianapolis was awarded a grant of $100,000 to assist in the implementation of lead-safe initiatives to create lead-safe environments for its citizens. Mayor Peterson spoke about his award-winning entry to the grant program, highlighting Indianapolis' Window Replacement Initiative, High Intensity Targeted Screening (HITS) and Education and Outreach Strategy.

To close, Mayor Hood answered questions about CUSP's initiatives available to cities and discussed how CUSP will continue to visit cities and bring CUSP's educational and scientific resources to cities nationwide. For more information on the CUSP partnership or to learn how to bring CUSP to your city, please contact Managing Director Ellen H. King at Coonference headquarters by phone at 202-861-6798 or by e-mail at eking@usmayors.org