By Ed Somers
January 14, 2008

Over 800 participants, including more than 250 mayors, plus business leaders and top federal officials will convene in Washington, DC on January 23-25 for the 76th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Under the leadership of Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, the meeting will focus on the Mayors ’08 10-Point Plan: Strong Cities, Strong Families, for a Strong America. Since its development one year ago, there have been major successes on the priorities contained in the 10-Point Plan including enactment of the $10 billion energy block grant, passage of the 9/11 Commission homeland security bill, increased first responder appropriations, and increased assistance for public housing. However much work remains on key funding priorities such as CDBG, anti-crime programs, infrastructure, and affordable housing.

Plenary discussions will be held on:

• Climate protection and green jobs

• Mayoral responses to the mortgage crisis

• The economic importance of travel and tourism

• A new national infrastructure agenda

• Investing in kids

Over the past year, the Conference of Mayors has been extensively involved in the issue of climate protection. During the Winter Meeting, there will be a number of key sessions on climate related issues, the activities of the new USCM Climate Protection Center, and the new energy block grant including:

• Climate Protection and Green Jobs Plenary Lunch — Wednesday

• Special Session on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant — Wednesday

• Climate Protection Task Force — Wednesday

• Energy Committee — Wednesday

• Special Session on USCM/Clinton Climate Initiative Partnership — Thursday

• Environment Committee — Thursday

• Sustainable Development Task Force — Thursday

The opening plenary session on January 23 will feature an address on the state of the economy by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, and the release of a major national survey on key city priorities by pollster John Zogby.

Other confirmed speakers to date include U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Marriott CEO John W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr, Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (HI), Children’s Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman, and Loews Hotels CEO Jonathan Tisch.

A special Winter Reception/Dinner will be held on Wednesday evening at the magnificent National Building Museum. The event is open to all pre-registered meeting participants, and the attire is business. The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30pm, with dinner at 7:30pm. New mayors will be recognized at the dinner.

A number of important award presentations will be made including the:

• USCM Excellence in Public/Private Partnership Awards

• Dollar Wi$e Capacity Grant Awards

Many important standing committee, task force, workshop and other special meetings will be held over the course of the three days. Included will be meetings of the Mayors Business Council, Women Mayors, Republican Mayors and Local Officials, and National Conference of Democratic Mayors.

Mayors who have not yet registered and wish to do so should contact Carol Edwards with the Conference staff at (202) 293-7330.

Updated Agenda on USMAYORS.ORG

The latest draft agenda for the 76th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors is available at usmayors.org, and will be continually updated. The agenda contains detailed information regarding plenary sessions, committee meetings, task force meetings, workshops, and social events.