By Elena Temple
August 13, 2007

Conference of Mayors Conference President Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer spoke at the 97th National Urban League (NUL) Conference in St. Louis (MO) on July 27. Palmer brought greetings to the League’s Guild Organization, which is the national association of volunteer auxiliaries of the Urban League. NUL Guilders range in age from 45 to 95 and are active in more than 85 chapters in Urban League communities across the nation. Considered the heart and soul of the Urban League movement, Guilders contribute thousands of volunteer hours annually and play a pivotal role in connecting the Urban League to communities. Palmer has been a member of the guild in Trenton for 26 years, so it is quite fitting that he addressed the group at their luncheon.

The theme for this year’s NUL Conference was “You, Your Money, Your Future.” The two-day event featured a wide array of workshops – from leadership and career development to wealth accumulation, entrepreneurship and understanding financial management to improving one’s health and wellness – in an effort to help participants improve themselves economically and physically. Democratic Presidential hopefuls Senators Barack Obama (IL) and Hillary Clinton (NY), former Senator John Edwards (NC) and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH) also addressed conference participants.

All four attending presidential candidates endorsed the NUL’s Opportunity Compact that outlines specific policy recommendations for improving the lives of African Americans. The Opportunity Compact shares many of the same priorities as the Conference of Mayors’ 10-Point Plan; both call for a stronger federal commitment to public education, healthcare for children and youth, America’s aging infrastructure and affordable housing.