United States Conference of Mayors

United States Conference of Mayors. The organization was founded in 1932 by Frank Murphy, J. Frank Dobbs, and other Mayors to promote Cooperative Federalism and address Urbanization challenges, as discussed by Theodore Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover. It has since become a leading voice on Urban Policy, working closely with the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The conference has been attended by prominent figures such as John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon, who have addressed issues like Poverty, Crime, and Infrastructure.

● History

The United States Conference of Mayors was established during the Great Depression, with the first meeting held in Detroit, Michigan, and attended by Mayors from Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, and other major Cities. The conference was influenced by the ideas of Jane Addams, Jacob Riis, and other Progressive Era reformers, who advocated for improved Housing, Sanitation, and Public Health. Over the years, the conference has addressed various challenges, including World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, and the War on Poverty, with support from organizations like the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York. The conference has also worked with Federal Agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and Department of Transportation.

● Organization

The United States Conference of Mayors is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a staff led by an Executive Director, who works closely with the National Conference of Black Mayors, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, and Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials. The organization has a number of committees, including the Committee on Metro Economies, Committee on Energy Independence, and Committee on Criminal and Social Justice, which have been chaired by Mayors from Boston, Denver, and Seattle. The conference also partners with other organizations, such as the Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, to advance Urban Research and Policy Analysis.

● Membership

Membership in the United States Conference of Mayors is open to Mayors of Cities and Towns with a population of over 30,000, as well as Vice Mayors and other Municipal Officials from Anchorage, Alaska, to Honolulu, Hawaii, and from Miami, Florida, to San Francisco, California. The conference has a diverse membership, with Mayors from Democratic Party, Republican Party, and Independent backgrounds, including Michael Bloomberg, Rahm Emanuel, and Antonio Villaraigosa. The organization also has a number of affiliate members, including the National Association of County Health Officials, International City/County Management Association, and American Public Transportation Association.

● Policy Resolutions

The United States Conference of Mayors adopts Policy Resolutions on a wide range of issues, including Economic Development, Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Social Justice, as advocated by Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Nancy Pelosi. The conference has taken positions on issues like Climate Change, Immigration Reform, and Gun Control, often working with organizations like the Sierra Club, National Rifle Association, and American Civil Liberties Union. The conference also provides Technical Assistance and Best Practices to its members, drawing on the expertise of Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Leadership

The United States Conference of Mayors is led by a President, who serves a one-year term, and is supported by a Board of Trustees, which includes Mayors from Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona. The conference has been led by prominent Mayors such as Richard Daley, Michael Bloomberg, and Kasim Reed, who have worked with Federal Officials like Hillary Clinton, Eric Holder, and Janet Napolitano. The organization also has a number of Advisory Boards, which provide guidance on issues like Transportation, Housing, and Public Health, with input from experts like Anthony Fauci, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Colin Powell.

● Initiatives

The United States Conference of Mayors has launched a number of initiatives, including the Mayors' Institute on City Design, Cities of Opportunity Task Force, and Metro Economies Initiative, which have been supported by organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, and Knight Foundation. The conference has also partnered with Private Sector companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco Systems to advance Urban Innovation and Sustainability, with a focus on Green Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, and Smart Cities. The organization has also worked with International Organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union to promote Global Cooperation and Urban Development.

Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C.