WHEREAS:

The provision of Public Services is necessary and vital to the health and welfare of our society, and guaranteed under the Constitution of our Republic; and

WHEREAS:

Public services are not generally profit-making activities and have not been and will not be provided by the private sector without huge government subsidies; and

WHEREAS:

These services have historically received bi-partisan support from the majority of the citizenry, and are commonly recognized to be the proper and primary function of the federal government; and

WHEREAS:

The demographic and geographic diversity of our nation precludes local governments from providing these services in a uniform, fair and equitable manner for all our citizens regardless of place of residence, income, and social background without federal funding support.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the 27th International Convention of AFSCME declare itself unalterably opposed to the current strategy of the Reagan Administration to eliminate or reduce federal funding for Public Services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME make the struggle to maintain needed levels of federal funding a priority item, and commit ourselves to protecting the services for the public that are so badly needed by our fellow citizens.

SUBMITTED BY:

John Bimel, President
Linda D. Sampson, Recording Secretary
Local 843, Council 28
Seattle, Washington