By Ed Somers
April 26, 2004

Just months prior to the national political conventions and the presidential election, the nation's mayors will gather in Boston on June 25-29 for the 72nd Annual Conference of Mayors. The meeting will be presided over by Conference President Hempstead (NY) James A. Garner and hosted by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

Both President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry have been invited to participate in the meeting.

Issues related to homeland security and public safety, economic development and housing, brownfields development, the environment, public health, transportation, tax policy, and others will be covered over the course of the meeting in discussions with major plenary speakers. The Conference will also release its third Homeland Security Monitoring Report in Boston, as well as other key reports and surveys.

The policy committees of the Conference will meet on Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26 to consider new resolutions, which will be presented to the entire membership for consideration on Monday, June 28. Member mayors wishing to submit resolutions for consideration must do so no later than Friday, May 21.

Other meetings in Boston will include the Mayors Business Council, the Urban Water Council, the Council for Investment in the New American City, the Women Mayors, and many others.

In addition, important task force meetings and workshops will be held during the Boston meeting, and there will be an orientation session for new mayors on Friday, June 25, as well as a Habitat for Humanity home construction.

Host City Events

Menino is arranging a series of wonderful social and educational events which include:

• Friday evening opening reception at the Historic Boston Public Library;
• Saturday evening dinner at the Kennedy Library and Museum;
• Sunday evening with the Boston Pops featuring their famous gospel program;
• And much more including spouse and children's events, host city workshops and tours.

Additional details on the meeting will be continually posted on usmayors.org and registration information for mayors can be obtained by calling Carol Edwards at (202) 293-7330.