By Elena Temple-Webb
January 31, 2011

The nation's mayors held a press conference to share their jobs message with the national media at the top of the 2011 Winter Meeting in Washington (DC).

U.S. Conference of Mayors President, Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz explained the purpose of the gathering. "More than 230 mayors from around the country are here in our nation's capitol to stress to President Obama, his Cabinet and Congress that our cities are in the middle of a jobs emergency which demands swift action," she said.

Kautz continued, "Unemployment projections released by the Conference of Mayors and Global Insight show that almost one-third of the nation's 363 metro areas will still have an unemployment rate higher than 10 percent at the end of 2011. As mayors, we know our cities and metropolitan areas are the centers of our national economy. So without job growth in the metropolitan areas, there can be no sustained national recovery."

Conference of Mayors Vice President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa echoed Kautz's comments, saying, "I look forward to the opportunity this week to meet with federal officials and advocate for investment in our cities, as well as a federal partnership that is so important. The fact is, when cities generate the amount of economic might that we do, which is 90 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, the federal government has a vested interest in making sure that we mayors can balance our books. The bottom line is — opportunity for economic growth lies in America's cities."

Conference of Mayors Past President Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who received the Conference of Mayors highest honor in recognition for his many years of public service, talked about the difficult decisions mayors have had to make in the midst of the economic downturn, "I want to thank you for this opportunity to talk to federal officials about our story. Mayors understand that people are suffering and we are suffering with them. We have cut our budgets and made major sacrifices."

Also Conference of Mayors Past President, Charleston (SC) Mayor Joseph Riley spoke of the awesome responsibility that mayors hold. "Mayors are elected by the citizens of their cities to be the leaders in both good times and in challenging times. We take our jobs seriously and know that leadership can be transformative," he said.

Kautz encouraged the mayors to push for their 2011 Metro Agenda for America — the Conference of Mayors policy priorities — focused on economic development, infrastructure, energy security, and workforce training.

Of the number one priority listed in the Mayors' Metro Agenda, Conference of Mayors Community Development and Housing Committee Chair Newton (MA) Mayor Setti Warren said, "The Community Development Block Grant program is a critical resource for us as CEOs of our cities to take care of the most vulnerable citizens and stimulate jobs in our local economies."

Warren reminded the mayors of the many new members of Congress who may not be familiar with the CDBG program. "We must take our message to Capitol Hill today to explain what this program does in our communities and how it helps real people. Members of Congress care most about what is happening in their districts and their states, and we are asking that all mayors engage their Congressional members on this issue."

Kautz also spoke of the Civility Accord presented to the organization and explained, "Through this accord, we are taking the lead and encouraging political representatives at all levels of government, regardless of political affiliation, to commit to work together in a spirit of civility and respect for the good of our country."

Tucson (AZ) Mayor Robert Walkup encouraged all the mayors attending the meeting to sign onto the Accord, saying, "I am very proud of The U.S. Conference of Mayors for taking the lead on this issue and want to amplify the impact the organization has had in its outreach to the City of Tucson. There is scientific proof of the link between civility and the outcomes we experience. We must convert this Accord into action, and show it in how we govern and how we relate to one another."

Villaraigosa applauded the Conference of Mayors for bringing the significance of civility to the forefront. "The session on civility was one of the most meaningful and timely and important I've ever attended at the USCM. I commend Mayor Walkup on his call for civility and for asking us all to sign onto the Accord," he said.