July 14, 2008

DuPont, through it’s Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP), partnership with The U.S. Conference of Mayors, June 21 announced the winners of the 2008 Lead-Safe…for Kids’ Sake grant program. Awards for Excellence were given to Cleveland (OH) and Annapolis (MD), each in the amount of $100,000. Awards for Distinction were given to Erie (PA) and Omaha (NE) in the amounts of $50,000 and $60,000 respectively.

The three grants, totaling $310,000, are all The Lead-Safe…For Kids’ Sake grants awarded to cities for their efforts in proposing and/or demonstrating excellence in implementing effective solutions to make their communities Lead-Safe.

Since its inception in 2002, DuPont, through CUSP, has awarded The U.S. Conference of Mayors member cities over $4 million to help make America’s cities Lead-Safe. The 2008 award-winning cities represent the very best and most innovative ideas that help make the nation’s communities Lead-Safe.

"As President of the Conference of Mayors, I am delighted to stand with our partner, DuPont, in recognizing excellence and distinction in America’s cities," said Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer. "Thanks to these generous grants from DuPont, children across the country will be healthier, stronger and have better futures. We hope that mayors in these award-winning cities serve as an example for other cities, and that these creative programs can be duplicated."

Conference CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran added, "We thank DuPont for joining with us to make our cities Lead-Safe. Public-private partnerships, such as CUSP, are critical to making our cities the strong and vibrant places they can be. DuPont and The U.S. Conference of Mayors are proud of the award-winning cities and look forward to following their example as they develop and maintain Lead-Safe programs in their communities."

DuPont and the CUSP partnership visit cities across the country to assist mayors in creating healthier, safer and economically vibrant cities through science-based solutions. "We at DuPont are honored to present the Lead-Safe...For Kids’ Sake Grant Program," remarked Stacey Mobley, DuPont’s Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel. "These award winning cities exemplify the type of innovative thinking that is necessary to make our cities Lead-Safe and to ensure a brighter tomorrow for our children."