By Joan Crigger
July 14, 2008

Former Lincoln (NE) Mayor and first woman elected President of The U.S. Conference of Mayors Helen Boosalis spoke to the mayors following the address by Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Boosalis was President of the Conference in 1981-82. She related that in the early 80’s cities were in their worst economic crisis in history with double-digit inflation, double-digit unemployment and shrinking revenues, while the federal government was backing away from its commitment to cities. "Times were bleak indeed," she said. She, in her role as President of USCM, convened a National Urban Conference on Federalism in Chicago to look at the role of federal, state and local relations. It was successful in helping to stem the tide in aid away from cities and in saving programs such as CDBG.

Boosalis acknowledged the enormous challenge for mayors today and wished all the mayors luck in steering their cities through "these trying times." She said that being mayor was the "most challenging and also the most rewarding job on earth."

All mayors in attendance in Miami received a copy of a new book about Boosalis’ time in office written by her daughter, Beth Boosalis Davis.