Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley was honored by the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) with its Keystone Award for exemplary leadership in urban revitalization and enhancing Chicago's quality of life through urban design. In making this inaugural award to Mayor Daley at their "Accent on Architecture" Gala on February 6th, the AAF cited such accomplishments as the Navy Pier renovation, McCormick Place Exposition Center expansion, State Street renovation and rehabilitation of public schools and parks as some of the Mayor's accomplishments. The AAF summed up the Mayor's philosophy in making design a priority by using his own words: "People care about what they see out their front windows."

Newark Mayor Sharpe James was inducted into the Elected Officials Hall of Fame last week during the Seventh Annual Mayors Legislative Day.

The honor bestowed upon Mayor James by the New Jersey State League of Municipalities is reserved for local municipal governing body members who have served for more than twenty years I elected office as of December 1998. Mayor Sharpe James has served in elected office since 1970.

El Paso Mayor Carlos Ramirez, Laredo Mayor Elizabeth Flores and Brownsville Mayor Henry Gonzalez signed an agreement at a White House ceremony on January 27th, during the Conference's 67th Winter Meeting. The agreement sets the stage for restoration of the Rio Grande, one of 14 rivers designated, under the Clinton administration's American Heritage Rivers program.

The program recognizes the pressures population and trade place on our historic natural resources and makes it easier for cities to access federal funding for river protection and restoration projects. Cities and towns along these rivers will be eligible for federal programs and grants to fight pollution, build greenways and paths and protect watersheds.