February 23, 2009

Led by the U.S Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz a delegation of 21 Mayors from across the country went to the White House and Capitol Hill on Wednesday February 4, 2009 to push Congress for speedy passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Mayors’ first stop was the Old Executive Office Building where they met with White House Senior Advisors, Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison, Valerie Jarrett, Director of Intergovemental Affairs, Cecilia Muñoz, and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, Jason Furman to support the President’s call for the Recovery Plan.

Following the meeting with White House personnel, the delegation held a press conference at the West Wing Stakeout of the White House to stress that investing in MainStreet metropolitan economies, which comprise 90% of our gross domestic product and drive the national economy, are the most direct path to creating jobs and stimulating the business that can begin to reverse the current economic downturn.

“The economic news on MainStreet is bad and is getting worse. Everyday all of us have seen more and more people unemployed in our cities, more people losing their homes and small business closing their doors. Our people continue to suffer, and we are here to support the President’s call for a stimulus package. If we are going to invest to stimulate our economy, we need to invest in our cities that are ready to go. This money comes in and goes right back out to create jobs,” said Mayor Diaz.

According to Trenton (NJ) Mayor Doug Palmer, “Mayors don’t have the luxury and the time to debate all the small details. Mayors are where the rubber meets the road. When and if this package is passed, we will put people back to work right away. That’s why we are here, and that’s why we are going to continue to be here. Mayors are going to be a stone in the shoe of the Senate or anyone else that gets in the way of getting Americans back to work.”

Palatine (IL) Mayor Rita Mullins added, “This President was elected on hope, and what our people at home are hoping for is that our Congress will give them something concrete to work with.”

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who also spoke at the press conference, said, “It’s time to stop the bickering and start the tough negotiating to get this bill out and ensure that the American people in our cities get the relief that they need right now.”

“The Senators need to stop business'as'usual here in Washington and get to work on a bill that can get people back to work,” said Akron (OH) Mayor Donald Plusquellic.

Before heading back to their respective cities, the mayors made a last stop on Capitol Hill to meet with Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. The mayors thanked the Speaker for all of her hard work on the Recovery bill and she encouraged the mayors to continue to reach out to their Congressional delegations.

Miami (FL) Mayor Manny Diaz, USCM President

Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer

Akron (OH) Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic

Charleston (SC) Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr

Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage

Albuquerque (NM) Mayor Martin J. Chavez

Palatine (IL) Mayor Rita L. Mullins

Los Angeles (CA) Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa

Providence (RI) Mayor David Cicilline

Des Moines (IA) Mayor T.M. Franklin Cownie

Atlanta (GA) Mayor Shirley Franklin

Denver (CO) Mayor John Hickenlooper

Columbia (MO) Mayor Darwin Hindman

Southfield (MI) Mayor Brenda Lawrence

Santa Ana (CA) Mayor Miguel A. Pulido

Salt Lake City (UT) Mayor Ralph Becker

North Miami (FL) Mayor Kevin Burns

Alexandria (VA) Mayor William Euille

Phoenix (AZ) Mayor Phil Gordon

Lexington (KY) Mayor Jim Newberry

Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty