WASHINGTON, DC -- About 300 of America's Mayors will arrive in the nation's capital en masse to participate in USCMs 68^th Winter Meeting. The meeting kicks off at the Capitol Hilton Hotel on January 25^th and concludes on the 28^th. The Mayors have a busy schedule of task force and committee meetings, meetings with federal officials, and other events. Press can access the full agenda, media advisories, and pre-register on the Internet at /68thWinterMeeting.

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Denver Mayor and Conference President Wellington E. Webb issuing his challenge to Campaign 2000 candidates to embrace a 10-point agenda for forming a new partnership between the federal government and cities. Mayors will also meet with President Bill Clinton at the White House to present their national agenda and react to his State of the Union Address.

• A national drug policy conference with Mayors and top federal officials to address the drug crisis in cities and rural communities, with a focus on the release of a national report on domestically produced methamphetamines. Also an address from the President of the Republic of Columbia. Participants include Boise Mayor H. Brent Coles, White House Drug Czar Barry R. McCaffrey, and National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse president Joseph A. Califano, Jr.

• A plenary session with Mayors and business leaders on taxation of E-Commerce, and other technology issues with Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, Dallas Mayor Ronald Kirk, Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb, and D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams.

• Mayor Webb will release a national survey on gun deaths since the Columbine tragedy. City leaders will gather at a display of the victims of gun violence since Columbine to plead for Congress to break its gridlock and enact gun safety legislation.

• The Mayors Arts Gala recognizing government leaders support for the arts, and featuring a lifetime achievement award to entertainer Harry Belafonte.

All press must register to gain access to Winter Meeting events. Advance registration is recommended. This can be done by phone by calling the USCM press office or completing the press registration form on the web site, /68thWinterMeeting. On site registrations will be accepted in the USCM press room at the Capital Hilton Hotel.