By Rhonda Spears Bell
June 27, 2005

Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill was inaugurated June 14 as the 63rd President of The United States Conference on the final day of the Annual Meeting in Chicago. In her inaugural address, Cities for a Stronger America, O'Neill stated that when she became mayor eleven years ago, "Never did I think that I would be standing here in this position. It is both humbling and exciting." O'Neill went on to thank out-going President Akron (OH) Mayor Don Plusquellic for his leadership over the last year, especially in the area of fighting for retention of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant).

In laying out her vision for the next year, O'Neill stressed that the Conference must continue to focus on the importance of metro economies. "Metro economies are essential to the prosperity and continued health of our nation. It is a story that we must continue to tell," she said.

But O'Neill also stressed the importance of change as well. "We are changing because we must. If you are not changing and growing, you are not alive. The same holds true with cities."

"We have a more ethnically complex society today. In a single generation, hundreds of lumber mills, auto and tire factories, steel plants, railroad yards, shipyards and other basic industries have closed their doors," she stated. In order to meet these challenges, O'Neill believes that mayors must be creative in facing the future. "Building communities requires creative leadership," she added.

O'Neill went on to say that she looks forward to capitalizing on the strength of this organization to bring a new sense of energy to the Conference's efforts. "We must continue to develop leaders, find avenues for participation by new mayors and give greater attention to our membership efforts," she said.

O'Neill summed up her platform for the coming year by announcing that she will focus her attention on ten key areas:

• CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)
• Gang Violence
• Homeland Security
• Transportation and Infrastructure Investment
• Jobs and Education
• Housing and Homeownership
• Tax Reform
• Military Base Closings
• International Affairs
• Metro Economies

In outlining her priorities for the year, O'Neill also announced that she will create a new task force on Tax Reform, and re-establish the BRAC Task Force addressing the issue of military base closings.

In closing her speech, O'Neill challenged the mayors to approach the task of addressing these issues in the spirit of partnership. "While the challenges we face may be daunting, the opportunities are limitless," she said.

"With respect, hope and vision, let us use the potency of our cities and our unique opportunities as mayors, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, to strengthen America," she concluded.