<b>Mayors Meeting Wraps Up; Gun Violence and Kids' Fitness Among the Topics Discussed</b>
For Immediate Release
Mayors Meeting Wraps Up; Gun Violence and Kids' Fitness Among the Topics Discussed
Salt Lake City, UT (September 26, 1998) - - Only 4 days before the end of the federal fiscal year and 13 days before Congress is to adjourn, the US Conference of Mayors (USCM) convened here as over 60 mayors from around the nation came to Salt Lake City to discuss the status of many key urban priorities. They expressed dismay that much will be left unfinished as Congress adjourns this year, including legislation on housing, empowerment zones, and Superfund projects, and they resolved to put pressure on the new Congress, many of whose members will be elected this November, to focus attention on their concerns.
Salt Lake City Mayor Deedee Corradini, USCM President, and several other USCM leaders announced that the mayors are prepared to take action to gain progress on several important issues.
Coming off the success of their National Summit on School Violence, held here on Thursday, the mayors spent the next two days talking about the problems cities face. Among the topics debated were the 2000 Census, fair housing, and workforce development, as well as how cities can gain a fair share of federal transportation money. The OlympiKids program, a new initiative from the USCM and the US Olympic Committee to focus attention on the fitness of America's children, received support from all the mayors attending. Discussion on options that cities may use to deal with gun violence generated the most debate, as advocates for litigation against gun manufacturers matched advocates for cooperation with gun manufacturers to find solutions together.
While they were visiting Salt Lake City, the mayors spent time with Attorney General Janet Reno, and various representatives from the White House and heard from Gordon Hinckley, President of the Church of Latter Day Saints. The mayors also met with Thomas Carper, Governor of Delaware and Chair of the National Governors' Association, and affirmed that collaboration between city and state governments is an effective way to exert pressure on federal legislation.
The mayors enjoyed the city with time to tour Temple Square, see the city's development projects, and learn about the preparations for the 2002 Winter Games.
Contact: Melissa Rossi Wood or Rob DeRocker,DCI, 212-725-0707 or Chip Brown, USCM, 202-861-6708.
The United States Conference of Mayors
J. Thomas Cochran, Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone (202) 293-7330, FAX (202) 293-2352
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