possible so we can give our full attention to our guest. it s my pleasure to introduce a leader whom many of you already know, mike bloomberg, who was elected mayor months after the attacks of september 11, 2001. under his leadership new york rebounded faster and stronger than anyone expected. the bloomberg administration raised high school graduation rates by 14% and reduced the carbon footprint by 21%. after leashing office, his bloomberg foundation made supporting cities a top priority. because he knows the power mayors have to make a difference. backstage i thanked him for a bloomberg philanthropy grant the city of rochester hills had been rewarded. i m there are many in the crowd today. a few months ago i was with mike in copenhagen for the world mayor summit and licensed witnessed his commitment to one copenhagen fan here in the front, witnessed his commitment to addressing global issues like climate change and public health at the local level. he knows we can make gr
week here in washington dc. glad that we are here. there has been literally nothing else going on. [laughter] we have the media all to ourselves. we know that we have a job to do, and we feel actually this is a great time for mayors to be in washington dc. the reason we think that is because now more than ever washington and the country need it is stilled that possible to look past party affiliation and work together and get things done. let me introduce myself, i am brian barnett, mayor of rochester hills and president of the united states conference of mayors. it is important that we shed party labels to solve problems, but it is more than a talking point. it is proven by our record. ands proven by the men women standing up here this morning. i would like to ask them all to do a quick roll call to introduce themselves. the focus here is your name and your city number not your latest economic win. [laughter] football score, baseball team, anything. why don t we start w
Talked about the White House Administration and Economic Opportunities and u. S. Cities. This event is about 90 minutes. Good afternoon, everybody. Im going to gavel the 86th winter meeting into session. Good afternoon, and welcome to the 86th winter meeting of mayors. Im michigan great mayor of new orleans conference of mayors. Thank you. [ cheers and applause ] before we start, we can start on a moment of levity. The mayor of vancouver is here, she wants us to know that today is 161st birthday of vancouver. You can welcome them and give them a round of applause for birthday but new orleans will celebrate 300th in a couple of weeks so celebrate for us too. Happy birthday madam mayor. [ applause ] it is migrate honor to introduce the Conference Leadership hospitals diaz, Vice President the benjamin from north carolina. Second Vladimir Putin rochester that i have in the meeting. Ceo and director tom cochran. Great leader, tom, thank you so much. We also have with us in the audience our
Attention. Ask the mayors that are in the room to please be seated and at the table. Others please feel free to sit in chairs along the wall. Were going to go ahead and get started so we can make an attempt to stay on schedule. Welcome, everyone, wish you good morning to the special climate secti section. The staff gave it the title. Todays leadership confronting tomorrows challenges. Ill talk more about that soon. I am jim brainard. Im the mayor of carmel, indiana, and cochair of the Energy Independence and Climate Protection Task force. I want to introduce my colleague and fellow cochair, san jose mayor sam liccardo in just a few moments. Let me ask all the mayors who are present here this morning to introduce yourselves that are speakers and others will know who is participating. Start with greg stanton. Good morning. Im greg stanton, mayor of phoenix, i chair the mayors Conference Energy committee. Good morning. My name is Javier Gonzalez. Im the mayor of the city of santa fe, and
Senator mark warner from virginia. From 200222006 senator warner served as governor of the great state of virginia and when he left Office Estate was right that the best day for business the best managed state in the best state in which to receive a public education. In the senate he has distinguished himself as a leader works with colleagues from both parties on behalf of the state and every one in our country. He serves on the finance banking budget and rules committee and is vice chairman of the select committee on intelligence. Senator warner is with us today. He has been a great leader for our country and please help me welcome him to speak to us as well. Senator warner. [applause] thank you mitch, thank you for that introduction and thank you for the great work you are doing in new orleans. Thank you for your familys longterm contribution. I started in politics indirectly working for moon landrieu. Its a real honor to be here with you and let me also give a shoutout to the remain