| FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 CONTACTS:
Washington, D.C. - Today, 155 Mayors from across the country, including members from both the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, issued the bi-partisan "Mayors' Statement on Global Warming." In the statement, the Mayors call on the federal government to join their cities' efforts to reduce the threat of global warming. Duluth Mayor Gary Doty is one of the signatories. The Statement comes one week before the U.S. Senate takes an historic first vote on global warming legislation. This bi-partisan legislation, offered by Senators McCain and Lieberman, would take the first steps in setting up a system to begin to reduce global warming pollution. "All levels of government in this country and around the world must work together to build a sustainable future," said Mayor James Garner (R) of Hempstead, New York, President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. "This must be a bi-partisan urban, suburban and national effort." The Mayors who signed the Statement represent more than 46 million people in local communities ranging in size from 700 people in LaConner, Washington to more than four million in Houston, Texas. The Mayors cite energy security and accountability as leaders as the chief reasons for issuing the Statement. Easing dependence on foreign oil and increasing the use of alternative fuels such as wind improves local air quality and public health while reducing global warming. The City of Duluth is one of 148 local goverments taking part in the Cities for Climate Protection campaign, a program of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). The City has installed photovoltaic solar panels on some of its properties, has purchased electric cars to assist in maintenance of public facilities, and has installed special bulbs in many street lights to save energy. "We're happy to do our part to protect the environment," Mayor Doty said. "We realize savings for our taxpayers at the same time, of course, but our first goal is to protect the natural wonders that we all enjoy." Click here
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