CITY COUNCILLOR MARJORIE DECKER TESTIFIES ON CAPITAL HILL AND CALLS ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO WITHDRAW TROOPS.

Cambridge City Councillor Marjorie Decker testified on Capital Hill along with other local and state officials on Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 at a press conference sponsored by Cities of Peace to speak out on the cost of war and its immediate impacts on Cambridge.

“This war has cost us $448 billion dollars - just in Cambridge alone, over $191 million dollars” stated Councillor Decker. “These monies could have been used to finance the hiring of more public school teachers, police officers, and firefighters.” “Instead, the federal government has cut our Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) by $348,130 in Fiscal year 2007, as well as many other programs.” In the future, more significant cuts to CDBG could result in the need to cut programs such as: housing, economic development, and community and park development.

After speaking at the National Press Club, Decker and other elected officials marched to the White House to deliver over 300 resolutions asking President Bush to withdraw our troops from Iraq. Chicago City Alderman Joe Moore attempted to present these Resolutions calling for an end to the war in Iraq, but an official at a White House refused to accept the council resolutions.

After falling on deaf ears at the White House, the elected officials testified before the Progressive Congressional Caucus.  Councillor Decker testified before the Caucus and discussed strategies for utilizing municipal officials to help end the war.  Congresswomen Maxine Waters (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Lynne Woolsey (D-CA) welcomed the efforts of local officials and even commented that it would be local officials who helped bring this war to an end and encouraged more cities and towns to speak out and lobby Congress.

Other local elected officials included: Boston City Councillor Chuck Turner, Cincinnati City Councillor David Crowley, and Dayton City Commissioner Dean Lovelace.

PRESS RELEASE

Office of City Councillor Marjorie Decker

Contact: Nicole Bukowski

617-349-4276