MIAMI BEACH— New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu was named the 75^th President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) in a gavel-passing ceremony today, accepting the honor from outgoing USCM President Mayor Mick Cornett of Oklahoma City and host-city Mayor Philip Levine of Miami Beach at USCM’s 85^th Annual Meeting. Columbia, SC Mayor Stephen Benjamin was elected USCM Vice President, and Rochester Hills, MI Mayor Bryan Barnett was elected USCM Second Vice President.

Mayor Landrieu’s inaugural remarks drew a sharp contrast between mayors’ records of delivering results and Washington’s failure to work together and get things done in these challenging times. He also covered highlights from four days of conversation with over 250 of the nation’s local executives who produced innovative and actionable proposals to move the nation forward. Many of these ideas were included by a bipartisan group of mayors in Leadership for America: Mayors’ Agenda for the Future, a core set of policy priorities that address the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, ensure quality affordable healthcare, promote safe and secure communities, expand our workforce to drive economic growth and create equitable communities to increase opportunity for all.

“The country is hungry for results: and that’s what Mayors serve every day to the people in their communities. We govern in real time and reality. And we never step back when duty calls. We don’t just talk about it –or debate it. We don’t have time for that,” said USCM President Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans. “We cannot simply resist and retreat – we must lead and engage.”

To view Mayor Landrieu’s full speech, please visit www.usmayors.org. Continue reading →