Res. No. 44
Title
Resolution calling upon the President of the United States to fulfill his promise of providing a total of $20 billion to New York City without delay due to the grievous budget deficits faced by New York City caused by the terrorists' attacks on the World Trade Center and urging both the United States Senate and House of Representatives to expeditiously fulfill this promise to the citizens and people of the City of New York.
Body
By Council Members López, Avella, Barron, DeBlasio, Foster, Gennaro, Jackson, Jennings, Liu, Monserrate, Nelson, Perkins, Quinn, Rivera, Seabrook, Sears, Serrano, Stewart, Vann and Brewer; also Council Member Dilan
Whereas, The President of the United States visited the City of New York in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorists' attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center (the "WTC") to join the residents of this City in a time of profound grief and distress; and
Whereas, The President recognized the egregious loss of over 3,000 innocent human lives and viewed the vast destruction caused by these concerted and horrific attacks on the residents, business owners, educational, cultural and religious institutions, and government operations of New York City; and
Whereas, At the time of this visit, the President called upon the federal Executive and Legislative branches of government in non-partisan unity to join him in supporting the residents of New York City and all those affected by this tragedy; and
Whereas, The President, in solidarity with the residents of this City and State and in heartfelt compassion for them due to the suffering caused by the evil destruction of human life and property, pledged financial support totaling $20 billion to aid this City in healing the wounds and rebuilding the WTC site; and
Whereas, The City of New York is now facing a $4 billion budget deficit due to these heinous crimes having caused severe financial losses to businesses and a significant reduction in jobs and employment opportunities for workers with concomitant losses in tax revenues, and enormous and sudden expenditures in clean-up and recovery efforts; and
Whereas, This unprecedented budget deficit will impact the level of social services to those most needing assistance such as the elderly, the disabled, and our children, whose future is at risk without appropriate levels of educational funding; and
Whereas, It is projected that the long-term effects of this fiscal crisis will extend well into the future, thereby causing City residents and government to face continuing billion dollar budget gaps; and
Whereas, The President, the Congress, and all Americans are called upon to join in fulfilling the promise of assistance to New Yorkers in rising from its ashes to rebuild this great City, to reaffirm our legacy of selflessness to those in need, and to uphold our freedoms in the face of those who would seek to destroy our democratic traditions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the President of the United States to fulfill his promise of providing a total of $20 billion to New York City without delay due to the grievous budget deficits faced by the City caused by the terrorists' attacks on the World Trade Center and urging both the United States Senate and House of Representatives to expeditiously fulfill this promise to the citizens and people of the City of New York.