By Brett Rosenberg
July 12, 2004

President George W. Bush addressed the 72nd Annual Conference of Mayors via a pre-recorded video message. The President was in Europe attending a NATO Conference.

The President opened his remarks by acknowledging that towns and cities are the bedrock of democracy. He continued, saying that mayors serve at the level of government closest to the people and that his "administration will continue to work with you to strengthen your communities."

After citing several aspects of our growing economy, including sustained job growth in conjunction with decreasing unemployment in 46 states, and $75 million dollars in brownfields redevelopment grants, the President discussed his administration's housing programs.

According to the President, home ownership rates are at record highs and still rising, particularly among minorities. He said that the administration "will not rest until we narrow the minority home ownership gap, so every American has the chance to own their home and realize the American dream."

President Bush then moved on to discuss his administration's education programs. The bipartisan law known as the No Child Left Behind Act is bringing higher standards and accountability to every public school, according to the President. His federal budget for 2005 calls for education funding 49 percent higher than 2001 levels. Through No Child Left Behind, the federal government is sending more money to schools and asking for results, "challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations," he said.

The President then briefly discussed faith-based programs, noting his administration's efforts toward providing on an equal basis federal grants for faith-based organizations. He congratulated the Conference of Mayors for establishing the Mayors Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, encouraging the power to "unleash the armies of compassion to help people in your communities."

He then provided an overview of his proposed Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, in which the administration would provide $300 million over four years to facilitate the transition of newly released prisoners back into society. The program includes job training, placement services, transitional housing and mentoring.

In concluding his presentation, President Bush discussed homeland security. During his appearance before the mayors at the 2004 Winter Meeting, he pledged to get homeland security funding "unstuck." This time, citing a Task Force report on state and local homeland security funding, several actions are underway to send funds more quickly to state and local governments. The President, noting his solemn duty to protect the American people offered that "the federal government has responsibility to help local officials build the capacity to prevent acts of terror and respond to danger, and we will meet that responsibility."