DATE: September 18, 2001
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Support for the Efforts of the San Diego Blood Bank to Aid Americans

SUMMARY:
Supervisors Cox and Jacob are allocating $40,000 to address this one time need of the San Diego Blood Bank following the brutal attack on America. This allocation will help address the expenditures of the San
Diego Blood Bank for supplies and equipment.

RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisors Greg Cox and Dianne Jacob:
1. Allocate $20,000 from the Community Projects budget (0261) and $20,000 from the Community Projects budget (0262) to the San Diego Blood Bank for supplies and equipment. Authorize the Chief Financial Officer to execute an agreement with the San Diego Blood Bank based upon terms that require the funds to be used in furtherance of public purposes.

Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact of the proposed recommendation is $40,000. The funding source is FY 1999-2000 fund balance. This action will result in the addition of no staff years and no future costs.

BACKGROUND:
On September 11, 2001 the American people were suddenly and deliberately attacked by terrorists at the World Trade Center in New York City and at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Supervisor Greg Cox, in the nation's Capitol at the time of the attacks, saw firsthand the impact of these acts of violence. Supervisor Dianne Jacob witnessed the immediate outpouring of support from the residents of San Diego County. Both
share the outrage and sympathy of all Americans.

Following the tragedy, the American people united behind the rescue efforts and began to donate blood en masse. The San Diego Blood Bank quickly filled to capacity as the people of San Diego County came
forward to both offer a life-giving donation to sustain others and to mourn the thousands of victims.

However, with this unprecedented display of unity and generosity came an unanticipated impact. The San Diego Blood Bank worked tirelessly to collect and ship nearly 400 pints of blood to New York, but also amassed $100,000 in unanticipated expenses for supplies and equipment to meet this need.

Supervisors Cox and Jacob are allocating $40,000 to address the one time need of the San Diego Blood Bank following the brutal attack on America. This project will help meet the expenditures of the San Diego Blood Bank, an organization that continually supports the people of San Diego County and the County's emergency care system through their efforts to collect and distribute blood. We urge your support for this measure.

Respectfully submitted,

GREG COX
Supervisor, First District

DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District