June 23, 2003

In presenting a plaque to Mayor Brown, Conference President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said, "San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown has distinguished himself over the last eight years with the Conference of Mayors. During that time, he served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Community Development and Housing. Mayor Brown has led the development of the our housing and community policy and in so doing he has helped such programs as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships to significantly increase their funding levels. During the 25th Anniversary of the CDBG program in 1999, Mayor Brown hosted the signature event for the celebration in San Francisco. And, during my year as President of the Conference of Mayors, Mayor Brown joined with me in hosting a national housing summit in Washington, D.C. for more than 140 housing experts and mayors from across the nation. That housing summit produced housing recommendations that will be part of the national housing policy debate for years to come. In addition to Mayor Brown's housing accomplishments, I know you will never forget the wonderful 65th Annual Conference of Mayors he hosted in San Francisco in June, 1997."