Addressing the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Saturday morning in Miami, Presumptive Presidential Nominee (D) Barack Obama
recalled moving to Chicago in 1985 and said much has changed since then and credited Chicago Mayor Richard Daley for the improvements.
Sen. Obama said his presidency would partner with mayors across the country when he gets to the White House because,
"there is a rebirth across the country in our cities."
He will be partnering with them to find new ways to lift their community and that they shouldn't be succeeding despite Washington but instead, with a hand from Washington.
He said partnering could help fight neglect of cities and that while John McCain is a great patriot, he won't partner with mayors to improve cities.
"(McCain) has opposed the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) program and other programs that cities need to improve (quality of life). The old ways of looking at our cities just won't do."
Sen. Obama talked about improving American infrastructure that currently sits at grade "D" by an engineering group.
He said McCain's gas tax holiday takes too much from the highway trust fund and gives it to the oil companies--when said fund is sitting at a deficit.
"(McCain opposed funding levies and flood control programs in the Senate," Obama said.
On contrast, Obama's plan allocates $60 billion over ten years, two million new jobs for his National Infrastructure Improvement Bank--that will funded by money that is currently being used to fund the unending war in Iraq.
Obama said the war, among other things, leaves local municipalities like fire and police short staffed. Many are in the National Guard and other military branches keeping our country safe.
Obama also said a national mass transit system is worth the investment.
"Investing in mass transit can help regional economies grow," Obama said, adding that his White House administration will partner in green energy technology besides ports and rail and "it will be green based."
"(I'll) invest in broadband deployment. Every American should have broadband access no matter how much money you have--that will be a priority," he said.
"Now is the time for bold action."
Sen. Obama recalled the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt in re-shaping America's future infrastructure objectives.
"In 2008, it falls on us to improve American infrastructure.
It will require major investment from government and others because " government can't do it alone," he said pointing out the leadership of his mayor, Daley.
"You have some measure of astonishing leadership in over two decades...also telling the audience of mayors that his address is a homecoming.
Recalling his days as a grassroots organizer, he noticed even then what Change could accomplish.
"In this country, change comes not from the top down but the bottom up."
He said as an organizer, the mayor's office in Chicago was paramount in achieving their goals.
"It is the mayor's office, people in this country turn to every single day."
Obama said residents may not appreciate the position of mayor until they need to lean on City Hall in the face of disasters, noting the flooding in the Midwest.
"The government people depend on most is the one closest to their community."
Obama said he will focus on growing metropolises across the nation because 42 of those metropolises rank among world's largest growing economies. He said promoting strong cities as the backbone of economic growth is among his many focuses.
"I insist that the White House tackles concentrated poverty in America."
Sen. Obama's Urban Revitalization Plan concentrates on public private business incubators--which could benefit small business owners and increase their likelihood that contracts come their way.
Besides a fully funded COPS program, educational system, refunding the Community Development Block Grants, Sen. Obama outlined during his message, a program to recruit teachers to cities with incentives like higher salaries--similar to what Daley has done with the Chicago Public School system. He also has a plan of relief for struggling homeowners. Obama also promised to veto in the Senate, any bills struck against those notions.
"Strong regions are essential for a strong America, he said."
Obama hinted at a liaison post so that mayors across the country may call the White House and get specific referrals to find resources for their cities.
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