HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2002.09.19 - 27000Miscellaneous Resolution t 02 218 September 19, 2002
BY: General Government Committee - William R. Patterson, Chairperson
RE: Board of Commissioners - Support of Federal Funding for West Nile Virus
Program
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives is reviewing the Labor Health and Human
Services (LHHS) Fiscal Year 2003 Appropriations Bill this week. This is also a critical
time for our counties to fight to protect our citizens against the West Nile virus threat;
and
WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control reports 29 positive cases of West Nile Virus
in the State of Michigan, with two associated deaths. Of these, Oakland County has 18
reported human cases - the highest in the State; and
WHEREAS, Representative David Vitter has sent a letter to Representative Ralph
Regula, Chairman of the Labor, Heath and Human Services, and Education
Subcommittee requesting $55 million in funding for the West Nile virus program; and
WHEREAS, continuing to fight West Nile outbreaks has drained significant state
resources, and while the federal government -- specifically the Department of Health
and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control — has allocated some federal
funds, combating the outbreaks absolutely requires additional federal funds.
WHEREAS, we are concerned that since response time is critical, "frontline" agencies
on the local level lack the resources they need to respond swiftly to reported cases.
Therefore, our request is twofold:
1) We would like to see significant additional resources to address this serious public
health threat. We request an additional $40 million for the Centers for Disease Control
West Nile virus program and an additional $15 million for the National Institute of Health
(NIH) to research treatment and a vaccine. While there is no vaccine available at this
time for West Nile virus, NIH has indicated that perhaps it may begin testing one this
fall. Funding at this juncture will provide the boost necessary to forward this research.
2) Local governments are primarily responsible for mosquito surveillance and
eradication efforts. Yet in the past, federal funds were only available for monitoring the
outbreaks. The success of these programs requires more flexibility from the federal
government, and should include public education as well as building and updating
laboratory, diagnostic, and storage facilities; and
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
William R. Patterson Peter H. Webster
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Shelley Goodrr10 Taub
Commissioner, District #12
Tim W. Melton
Commissioner, District #7
(21:24-1/
F4 ' o / Crawf ' rd
Com
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issioner, District #17
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control's efforts to complete a national plan for
West Nile virus response including surveillance, prevention, and control of the virus
nationwide. However, political subdivisions of states such as local and county/parish
governments, play a significant role in combating outbreaks, and must also be fully
prepared to perform these functions. A significant amount of the funding provided in the
Fiscal Year 2003 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill for West Nile virus response,
therefore, should be used to fund these purposes at the local level.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners does hereby urge our Congressional Delegation to support the efforts to
provide funding in Fiscal Year 2003 for the West Nile virus program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT copies of this adopted resolution be forwarded to
the Oakland County Delegation: Congress Members Mike Rogers, Dale Kildee, Joe
Knollenberg and Sander Levin; President George Bush, Chairman Ralph Regula, the
National Association of Counties and Oakland County's legislative lobbyists.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
Commissioner, District #1 Commissioner, District #22
Tom Middleton
Commissioner, District #4
Michelle Friedman Appel
Commissioner, District #23
Chuck Moss
Commissioner, District #15
Ruel E. McPherson
Commissioner, District #25
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Resolution #02218 September 19, 2002
Moved by Coleman supported by Crawford the resolutions on the Consent Agenda, be adopted.
AYES: Causey-Mitchell, Coleman, Crawford, Dingeldey, Douglas, Galloway, Garfield, Gregory,
Law, McPherson, Melton, Middleton, Moffitt, Moss, Obrecht, Palmer, Patterson, Sever, Suarez,
Taub, Amos, Appel. (22)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted therefore, the resolutions on the Consent Agenda, were adopted.
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, G. William Caddell, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true
and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on September
19, 2002, with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at Pontiac,
Michigan this 19th day of September, 2002.