WHEREAS:

Clean and safe drinking water is a necessity for life; and

WHEREAS:

Eleven residents of Flint, Michigan have died and thousands have been exposed to unsafe levels of lead and other contaminants in their water supply; and

WHEREAS:

Flint residents are suffering tremendous economic and personal health losses due to lead contamination of their water; and

WHEREAS:

The children of Flint have been irreparably harmed by lead exposure resulting in long-term health problems, learning disabilities and behavioral issues; and

WHEREAS:

The Flint water crisis was completely avoidable and brought about by the actions of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's appointed Flint Emergency Manager; and

WHEREAS:

The concerns of Flint residents regarding the quality and safety of their water were largely ignored by Governor Rick Snyder and his administration; and

WHEREAS:

Exposure to lead through contaminated drinking water in residences and schools, lead paint in housing and other sources is a problem that extends beyond Flint to many other communities; and

WHEREAS:

Federal and state governments have the duty and financial capacity to assist communities in eliminating exposure to lead while assisting those whose health has already been jeopardized by lead exposure.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

Congress and states must substantially increase investments in infrastructure to prevent lead contamination in water systems, schools and homes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

Congress and states must substantially increase investments to monitor childhood lead exposure and treat the effects; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

Congress must broaden the definition of "national disaster" to include the contamination of public water systems thereby allowing the allocation of federal disaster assistance to Flint; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

Congress must provide lifetime Medicaid coverage for the victims of the Flint water disaster; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

Congress must provide immediate emergency funding for Flint to repair its water infrastructure and ensure that water is safe to drink; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

Governor Rick Snyder must take full responsibility for the immoral actions of his administration and the Flint Emergency Manager and resign.

SUBMITTED BY: Edward Nelson, President and Delegate

Heidi Opperman, Recording Secretary and Delegate

AFSCME Local 1603, Council 25

Michigan

Samuel E. Muma, President and Delegate

Kathryn Neumann, Secretary-Treasurer and Delegate

AFSCME Local 1600, Council 25

Michigan