In leading the ten-mayor delegation in meeting at the White House with Presidential Chief-of-Staff John Podesta, Mayor Coles stressed the importance of the legislation in providing places that people can go for enjoyment, for kids to play and learn, to provide an alternative to possible criminal behavior, and to help build self-esteem. "This is a good bill for America and it can have an impact on every person's life." stated Mayor Coles. "We want the federal government to once again be a partner with us in providing neighborhood parks and recreation programs." Mayor Morial commended the Administration's efforts to date, but stressed the importance in any future negotiations between the Administration and Congress that the maximum level of funding be given to the UPARR program. Other members of the delegation also stressed the importance of parks and recreation programs to their communities, especially in providing opportunities for their young people. The mayors also pressed for a reduction in population eligibility for UPARR funds. In responding to the mayors, Mr. Podesta assured the mayors that the Administration was in the "same choir" as the mayors, that passage of parks legislation was high on the President's priority list, and that the Administration would be working to meet the mayors' needs. He encouraged the mayors to use the time during the Congressional August recess to press the issue both in the press and before their Senators.

The mayors then proceeded to Capitol Hill where they had a luncheon meeting with Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, one of the chief sponsors of parks legislation on the Senate side. In her remarks to the mayors, Senator Landrieu thanked the mayors for all their hard work and for their leadership in getting the bill through the House. The Senator stressed the importance of keeping the issue on the front burner and she pledged her cooperation to work with the mayors on organizing activities and meetings.

As part of the day's activities, members of the Conference of Mayors leadership, Mayors Coles and Morial, along with Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith and Conference Executive Director, J. Thomas Cochran, met with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (MS) to press for his support on pushing for Senate action. The Majority Leader indicated that while personally supports the bill, there were a number of potential trouble spots that might derail the bill. He was hopeful that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in its deliberations about the bill would try to reconcile those differences.

In addition to the group meetings, the mayors met individually with Senators from their states to seek their support for the parks legislation. The mayors also met with members of the press including USA Today where they released the results of a 200 city survey on local parks and recreation needs which showed that cities are not able to meet local parks and recreation needs which has increased over 10 percent since the past year.

A second round of "Local Parks Lobbying Day" will be held July 26th and will be lead by past Conference president and Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe and Advisory Board Chair and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Mayors interested in participating on July 26th should contact Tom McClimon on the Conference staff at 202-293-7330.

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