By Tom McClimon
October 4, 2010

The U.S. Conference of Mayors, along with the mayors across the country, have been asked by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President, to join her in commemorating the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's inauguration as the 35th President of the United States on January 20th, 2011. In a meeting in New York City with Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran, Kennedy and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, reviewed the planned activities and asked for the Conference of Mayors assistance. She accepted an invitation to address the mayors at the Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting, which will be held in Washington (DC) on that day.

As part of a number of national events that will be held leading up to January 20, mayors will be asked during the period of January 5 – 15 to speak to middle school and high school students about the importance of civic engagement and ways they can become involved in their communities. Curriculum materials, including copies of President Kennedy's famous inauguration address, are being prepared and will be sent to the mayors. A website developed by the Conference of Mayors, the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and the JFK 50th Anniversary Committee will post the mayor's activities. More detailed information will be sent to mayors' offices shortly.