NCBM

January 27, 2011

Dear Mr. President,

The National Conference of Black Mayors thanks you for the courage and conviction you exemplified in your State of The Union address.  You provided the entire country with a clear vision for immediate and long range actions and goals to revitalize critical sectors, which will require the concentrated focus of both parties of our government.  It is our desire as Mayors, who struggle with the problems in these sectors on a local level, to support the policies and initiatives you outlined in your address. 

It is our firm belief that strong bipartisanship and intergovernmental cooperation will determine the success of our ability to institute transformative change and advancements needed to win the future for our generation and that of our children, and their children.  Paramount is a recovery of our economy through the creation of jobs, businesses and industries, that hearkens unto the American tradition of creative boldness and innovative solutions.  We need to enhance what we have and expand on it, particularly in the small business arena.  Your desire to reduce the U.S. deficit requires not only a plan but a political will to make a coordinated and collective effort based on committed action that moves us all beyond rhetoric.  

The National Conference of Black Mayors will continue to urge the Senate and Congress to embrace investments in clean energy sources and renewable technologies; new ways to improve all levels of education and affordable access to diverse broadband options; and new programs to revitalize the infrastructure of our cities. As you so eloquently stated, we must remain cognizant of the purpose behind the power of government.  Every elected official must accept the challenge to close the gaps, eliminate the disparities and remove the barriers that hinder the empowerment of all our nation’s citizens to attain the American Dream.

We hope that the positive direction of our country will continue to be guided by sound and practical policies such as those you have articulated, where no child, no family, no community, no town or city is left behind in the past. As we move forward towards regaining America’s eminent place among countries, the foundation of our global competitiveness must lie within the development of the full spectrum of the diverse municipalities that form our Union today. 

We hope that you will enjoy, as much as we have, reading the feedback on your address from our various Member Mayors.  As a national organization of over 680 Mayors representing all people, the National Conference of Black Mayors stands ready to make life better for all citizens.  We respect your leadership in this defining moment in our country’s history and proudly support your Presidency and Administration.

Respectfully,

READ NCBM Member Mayors Responses to President’s State of the Union Address

READ Black Elected Officials React to President’s State of the Union Address

READ What Others Are Saying