By Ed Somers
March 19, 2007

“Los Angeles in June will be the place to be for Democratic and Republican candidates for President of the United States.” This was the sentiment emerging from the recent Conference of Mayors leadership meeting, and now fully endorsed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, who will host the 75th Annual Conference of Mayors in June 22-26.

During a wide-ranging discussion in Los Angeles city hall March 12, Villaraigosa met with Conference President Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, Executive Director Tom Cochran and Conference staff on both the political and social details for the Annual Conference.

Villaraigosa agreed to lend his full support to encouraging all the Democratic and Republican candidates for President to come to Los Angeles. Forums will be held on separate days during the Annual Conference during which time candidates from the two parties will be asked to respond to the Mayors 10-Point Plan: Strong Cities, Strong Families, For a Strong America.

In addition to the efforts of Palmer, Villaraigosa and the Conference staff to reach out to the candidates, all mayors will be asked to contact the candidates and encourage their participation in the forums. More details will soon be forwarded to the membership on the details for the forums and the invitations.

In addition to the candidate forums, a number of major speakers are being invited to Los Angeles, including President George W. Bush, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) and former President Bill Clinton.

Palmer will also host the Conference’s first Energy and Environment Awards Luncheon, which will honor mayors who are leading on the issues of climate protection and energy independence. Former Vice President Al Gore is invited to participate in this event.

In regard to the social activities for the Annual Conference, Villaraigosa made it very clear that he wants every mayor and meeting participant to “feel like they have been in Hollywood.” More details on the fantastic social events the mayor has planned will be discussed in future editions of U.S.MAYOR, and will be mailed to the membership soon.

Proposed policy resolutions will be debated and adopted by member mayors during standing committee meetings on June 22 and 23, and then a full Business Session on Monday, June 25.

The deadline for submission of proposed resolutions by member mayors is May 23 at 5:00pm Eastern Time. Full details on the resolutions process have been mailed to member mayors, and is also available at usmayors.org.