By Eugene T. Lowe
January 31, 2011

Former Providence Mayor and now Representative David Cicilline (RI) spoke at the Water Conversation Awards Luncheon on January 19, his first appearance before the Conference of Mayors since being elected to Congress in November. He made a promise to the mayors that he would be their strongest advocate in Congress. "One of the reasons why I ran for Congress was because of my frustration with Washington and the Congress who did not seem to understand what was happening in cities and towns in this country and who also didn't seem to understand how to be a good partner in creating jobs, improving schools and investing in infrastructure," he said. "While my first responsibility is to represent my great district in Rhode Island, I will also bring to the Congress the perspective of mayor," Cicilline added. The perspective that Cicilline will bring is how to get things done, how important it is to make the right investments that are necessary for "our neighborhoods and communities." Cicilline said to the mayors, "I look forward to continuing to hear from you and working with you very directly."

Cicilline made brief comments on several issues: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Energy and Environment Conversation Block Grant (EECBG), education reform and gun violence. He said with respect to CDBG the case must be made that, "We are serious about job creation and we are serious about investing in communities and helping those with the greatest needs right now." Cicilline added, "The Community Block Grant will continue to be an important priority."

As for EECBG, The U.S. Conference of Mayors created this program. "It has made a real difference in developing and producing renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions in our nation. We need to continue to make this a priority as we develop a national energy policy. EECBG gives flexibility to mayors and cities which is very important," Cicilline said.

"The U.S. Conference of Mayors has done a lot of good work on education reform. We are going to need the voices of mayors to really make the case to our nation and to the Congress that one of the single best ways we can rebuild the economy of this country is to reinvest in education. Young people are not competing with kids in neighboring towns, they are competing with kids in China, India, Germany and Japan. We need to make sure that they are equipped to compete in the global economy in the 21st century," he stated.

In closing, Cicilline asked the mayors to continue to devote their efforts to the issue of gun violence. "We saw horrific tragedy in Arizona just last week. We see examples of this all across the country. In addressing the issue, mayors have led the way with Boston Mayor Tom Menino and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who created Mayors Against Illegal Guns. We need the voices of mayors — democrats and republicans — to make the case to members of Congress. I joined U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy [NY04] and we introduced a very modest proposal to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines. We have got to rethink our gun policy and our gun laws in America. This legislation is a first step."