CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE / FUTURE SITE

Resolution - WHEREAS, any official position of the City of Los Angeles with respect to legislation, rules, regulations or policies proposed to or pending before a local, state or federal governmental body or agency must have first been adopted in the form of a Resolution by the City Council with the concurrence of the Mayor; and WHEREAS, last November, more than 70 percent of residents of the City of Los Angeles voted in favor of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative; an overwhelming support indicative of the City's tradition as a leader in the development of cutting edge technologies, and a regional, national and international hub for academic and practical research; and WHEREAS, in January, the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC) for this Initiative held its first official public meeting at the University of Southern California, in recognition of the City of Los Angeles' contributions to advancements in biomedicine; and WHEREAS, institutions and researchers in the City of Los Angeles have been immersed in the development of stem cell research and biotechnology for more than a decade and will continue to lead California's efforts in this field through the 21st century. The City of Los Angeles offers extensive academic and research activity and a range of graduate training and programs that characterize a world-class city. The City is home to first-tier universities and hospitals, such as USC, UCLA, Cal Tech, City of Hope, Cedars Sinai, and Children's Hospital, all of which are actively engaged in the field of stem cell research; and WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles has pursued policies to help promote and support the biomedical industry. For the past four years, the City has worked closely with biomedical companies to address emerging regional needs for highly skilled and highly educated workers in biotechnology. Employers such as Baxter BioScience, Medtronic Minimed, Advanced Bionics, and Boston Scientific have collaborated with our regional Workforce Investment Boards and training providers for this effort; and WHEREAS, Los Angeles, centrally located between San Francisco and San Diego, is the ideal geographic location for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) headquarters. The CIRM would have the advantage of being located in the capital city of the Pacific Rim. This site positions those in the research community to benefit from current revolutions in world trade, information technology and medical disciplines from neurology to biomedicine. Our location also enables researchers to work with a culturally diverse population in an exhilarating setting unique to the City of Los Angeles. This convergence of east and west with north and south has nurtured a worldwide reputation for creativity and innovation; and WHEREAS, the City has joined with a diverse group of academic, business and nonprofit leaders to aggressively promote Los Angeles as the future site of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM);and WHEREAS, for the above reasons, the City of Los Angeles will provide the ideal climate for the Institute's success; Los Angeles would be well suited to partner with the State of California on this extremely important endeavor; and the City will exceed the State's expectations in providing world - class facilities and resources to the CIRM; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, with the concurrence of the Mayor, that by the adoption of this Resolution, the City of Los Angeles urges the Governor and the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC) for the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative to select the City of Los Angeles as the location of the future site of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorized to submit the required applications and documents to promote the City's bid to be selected as the future site for CIRM, and, upon selection, to present to Council the recommendations necessary to accept the award.