By Ed Somers
May 21, 2007

Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer addressed the New York University (NYU) Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service on May 11 during its 2007 graduation ceremony. Wagner was mayor of New York City from 1953 to 1965, and President of the Conference of Mayors from 1957-58.

Palmer was introduced by former New York City Mayor David Dinkins. Dinkins grew up in Trenton, and has been a long-time family friend and mentor to Palmer.

At the ceremony, held at the historic Apollo Theatre in Harlem, Palmer said, “One person can make a difference.”

Palmer told the graduates that in an era of “shock jocks,” and when public servants are attacked and discouraged from serving, “We need you now more than ever, and we need you to be true to yourselves.”

The Conference of Mayors and the Wagner School have formed a new partnership to focus on city issues. The partnership, announced during the 75th Winter Meeting in January, will help the Conference develop research needed for advocacy efforts, and identify best practices that can be shared at the local level.

The partnership will also give Wagner faculty and students the opportunity to work with mayors across the country through a mayors fellows program.