January 20, 2003

In January, mayors from cities deliver their annual "State of the Cities" speech, outlining past achievments and setting goals for the future of their communities. Following are some excerpts from these traditional addresses.

Conference of Mayors Intern Brian Gould of the University of Indiana helped compile these excerpts.

"We have rebuilt our neighborhoods and invested in our most important community anchors: our schools, libraries, parks, police and fire stations. We have seen housing and businesses bloom, bringing new life to once-blighted areas."

—Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley

"We know what will put people to work: the missing homeland security money we were promised; aid to cities and states that have lost billions in revenue; and money for infrastructure jobs and medical care. Washington should do it, and do it now."

—Conference President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino

"One key factor for a community that wants to promote strong families and economic self-sufficiency is equality of opportunity. Last month, at the Mayor's Celebration of Diversity Awards ceremony, I recognized local businesses and organizations who place an emphasis on workforce diversity, diversity education, and equal opportunity."

—Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson

"We can also build a big piece of our future economy on the quality of life innovations that already exist in Portland. Our land use policies, our efforts to protect urban watersheds and natural habitat, our parks, green spaces, our policies on sustainable development and public transportation all position us to expand our sustainable economy."

—Portland Mayor Vera Katz

"Homeland security is now and will continue to be a part of our local responsibility. For that reason, I will examine and implement ways to incorporate homeland security as part of our every day operations."

—Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown

"As elected officials, we must remind ourselves that we are here to serve all of the people, not just those who voted for us. That's why we are doing everything possible to create openness in government."

—New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg,

"But as I said at the beginning of my remarks tonight, the real risk for a great city is not failure, but failure to take risks to be a great city. If we continue to work together, we can make San Diego a city worthy of our affection."

—San Diego Mayor Richard M. Murphy

"But in order for our community to be a thriving community that can market itself to the world we have to have thriving neighborhoods."

—Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick

"All of that comes with the business of making sure that we are doing things that are environmentally sensitive and appropriate for the city. And I want to see us do that, as we go about trying to ensure the economic health of our city. We absolutely must do that, simultaneously."

—San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr.

"Instead of using our resources and powers to put properties back on the market, we've been spending it on the maintenance of divestment. It's time to wake the dead potential of these lots and buildings. It's time to return value to our City's land and make that value work for us."