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State's Top Elected Leaders Pledge Partnership with USOC, Stress Power of World's 5th Largest Economy Behind Bid
August 23, 2002—The Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee (BASOC) delivered letters of support today from California's top federal and state elected leaders to the Chair of the United States Olympic Committee's (USOC) Bid Evaluation Task Force. The letters re-affirm the State of California's strongest possible support for the San Francisco Bay Area's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The letters come just days before the USOC Task Force meets in Chicago on August 27th to narrow the field of four U.S. Bid Cities – Houston, New York, San Francisco & Washington DC – down to two finalists. The USOC Board of Directors will elect the U.S. Candidate on November 3rd.
"We're very pleased to have these expressions of such strong support from California's federal and state leaders," said Anne Cribbs, President & CEO of the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee (BASOC) and a 1960 Olympian. "From our elected and community leaders to the business, arts & cultural and athletic communities, the entire State of California stands behind this bid. The world's fifth largest economy stands behind this bid."
California Governor Gray Davis, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, U.S Congresswoman and House Democratic Whip Nancy Pelosi, Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, State Treasurer Phil Angelides, California Senate President John Burton and California Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson each sent a letter of support to the USOC Task Force.
"On behalf of the 34 million people of the State of California, I am writing to re-affirm my strong support for the San Francisco Bay Area's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games," wrote Governor Gray Davis to Chairman Charles H. Moore. "And I assure you of this: my Administration is committed to working hand-in-hand with San Francisco 2012 in support of this bid."
"I write to express my unconditional support for the City of San Francisco's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games," wrote Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante.
"With our ideal climate, stunning natural beauty, existing world-class athletic facilities and diverse peoples and cultures, the San Francisco Bay Area bid for the 2012 Olympics would offer the United States Olympic Committee a package no other city can," wrote U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, a former Supervisor and member of Congress representing Marin County.
California leaders also stressed the power of having the backing of the state's economy – the world's fifth largest when measured against all nations – behind the San Francisco Bay Area, if selected as U.S. Candidate by the USOC. Earlier this year, Governor Davis signed S.B. 1987 ("the 2012 Olympic Games Act") following overwhelming passage in the California Assembly and California Senate by members of both political parties. The Act authorized the Governor to sign key agreements with the USOC if the San Francisco Bay Area's bid is selected as U.S. Candidate and/or 2012 Host City and created the Olympic Games Trust Fund -- a public guaranty of up to $250 million to guard against unlikely revenue shortfalls following the 2012 Olympic Games.
"I want to assure you that I will do my part to ensure that the State of California honors its commitments and satisfies it obligations under the Act," wrote U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 – 1987 and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
"I will work closely with the USOC, the Assembly Speaker and the Governor's office to expand upon the Act in the international competition. Together, we will move forward in fulfilling the state's current and future obligations relative to the Olympic Games Trust Fund," wrote California Senate President John Burton of San Francisco.
"From my perspective and position in the U.S. Congress, I want to assure you that I will fully support the State of California's commitments to the USOC," wrote San Francisco Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Whip, member of the Appropriations Committee and the first woman in history to serve in the Leadership of the United States Congress.
"The Act and the Olympic Games Trust Fund provide the state commitment that will be necessary in the international selection process. The Act puts the weight of the State of California – the world's fifth largest economy – behind the San Francisco Bay Area's bid," wrote State Treasurer Phil Angelides.
State leaders also pledged strong partnership with the USOC in the international phase of the bid process and in the years ahead.
"The California State Assembly will be a strong partner to the USOC and to the San Francisco Bay Area as we pursue our common goals of returning the Olympic Games to the United States – to the San Francisco Bay Area – in 2012," concluded California Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson of Los Angeles.
"California is ready to offer you ten years of hard work and dedication for the best three weeks in Olympic history," concluded Governor Davis.
Tony Winnicker 415-305-5617 cell
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