By Larry Jones
February 2, 2009

Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk told mayors attending the January 18 Business Council Breakfast for mayors and business leaders that he is honored to have been asked to serve as the United States Trade Representative by the new Administration. If he is confirmed by the Senate, he would work with the nation's mayors and other stakeholders in developing trade policy that makes sense for the American people.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is responsible for negotiating directly with foreign nations to develop trade agreements, resolve trade disputes with different nations, and participate in world trade policy organizations. Upon confirmation, Kirk would oversee an agency that has more than 225 employees with offices in Washington, (DC), Geneva and Brussels. The new Administration will look to Kirk to find new markets for American goods as part of his overall plan to stimulate the nation's sluggish economy.

As mayor of Dallas from 1995–2001, Kirk was actively involved in the Conference serving on its leadership nominating committee, chair of its Urban Economic Policy Committee and as the mayors' representative on the Commission on Electronic Commerce, which was created by an act of Congress to provide guidance on the development of federal policy on electronic commerce. For the past four years, he has served as a partner in the Dallas office of the prestigious law firm of Vinson and Elkins. As a partner, Kirk maintained his connections with mayors by becoming and remaining an active member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Business Council.