By Ed Somers
January 20, 2003

On January 22-24 in Washington, DC, the 71st Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors will bring together over 300 mayors, business leaders, top federal officials and the media. Under the leadership of Conference President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the meeting will focus on key issues related to both Economic Security and Homeland Security. The Conference of Mayors will bring forward an economic investment agenda, and continue to push for direct homeland security/first responder resources for cities.

The agenda will cover many issues including: economic investment and stimulus, homeland security funding, housing investment, international relations, public schools, transportation investment and security, public-private partnerships, gang crime, chronic diseases, after-school programs, the arts, and other important topics. These issues will be addressed in plenary sessions, committee meetings, task force meetings, special sessions, and workshops.

Many top speakers have been confirmed already including House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), Senator Norm Coleman (MN), Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, Senator Edward Kennedy (MA), Senator John Breaux (LA), Saudi Ambassador to the United States His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Ambassador Felix Rohatyn, Transportation Security Administration Head Admiral James Loy, Amtrak CEO David Gunn, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, Loews Hotel CEO Jonathan Tisch, and many others.

The Conference is awaiting confirmation on a meeting with President Bush for Friday, January 24, and has also invited Homeland Security Secretary-Designate Tom Ridge.

On Thursday, the Women Mayors will meet and have a special reception in honor of their 20-year anniversary. Also on Thursday, the National Conference of Democratic Mayors and Republican Mayors and Local Officials will meet in the afternoon.