December 20, 2006

Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer recently became the 65th President of The United States Conference of Mayors following the death of former President Dearborn Mayor Michael A. Guido.

Guido died December 5 following a nine-month battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of his hometown, Guido had served as mayor since January 1, 1986. In 2005, he ran unopposed for re-election, and was serving his sixth term in office.

“On behalf of all of our colleagues, I extend my deepest condolences to Mayor Guido’s family, his loved ones, and the citizens of Dearborn,” Palmer said. “He is mourned by the thousands of people he touched in his city – and by his fellow mayors in every part of America.”

Under the Conference of Mayors’ constitution, in the event of the death of the President, the Vice President automatically assumes the Presidency. Palmer was formally sworn in December 6, as Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran passed the gavel at a brief ceremony at Trenton city hall and introduced Palmer as the 65th President of the Conference of Mayors. As Vice President, Palmer was in line to become President at the Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in June 2007.

“Being the Mayor of Trenton, my hometown, is the greatest job ever,” Palmer said. “The President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors is the highest honor a mayor can hold as a national and an international figure and spokesperson for all of the mayors in the United States. I am humbled by this opportunity to lead the nation’s mayors.” Palmer was elected Trenton’s first African-American mayor in 1990 and is serving his fifth term.

During the ceremony, Palmer affirmed that he will press forward with the agenda that Guido had championed, continuing the work of the Conference of Mayors on such issues as homeland security, crime, poverty, and energy independence. As President, Palmer will set the Conference of Mayors’ agenda, appoint committee and task force chairs, and serve as the national spokesperson for the organization.

“While we mourn the loss of our leader, Mayor Guido, we are encouraged by our new leader, who will ensure a seamless transition,” said Cochran. “The U.S. Conference of Mayors will move forward with a new resolve and a new Congress as we continue to strengthen America’s cities.”

Also upon the passing of Guido, Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz immediately became the Vice President of the Conference of Mayors.