The National League of Cities Invited to White House Jobs Summit

NLC President Novak Explores NLC's Partnership with Obama Administration

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaking to attendees at the
annual Congress of Cities & Exposition, Michael Strautmanis, Chief of Staff to
Valerie Jarrett, Special Advisor to the President for Intergovernmental
Relations, invited the National League of Cities (NLC) to the jobs summit
announced today by President Obama.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081022/NLCLOGO)

NLC welcomed the opportunity to participate in the session and appreciates the
President's commitment towards continuing the strong partnership between the
administration and cities.

Kathleen M. Novak, president of the National League of Cities, called for
continued collaboration between the administration, Congress and local
communities in finding resources to get residents back to work. Speaking to
conference attendees, Novak said the nation needs to make investments which
leave a legacy of good paying jobs, "We have a role to play as city leaders
working with state and federal government leaders to ensure economic
stabilization, job creation and to provide the basic building blocks for safe
and healthy communities."

Specifically, Novak called for:
-- Rebuilding the infrastructure of our cities;
-- Fostering regional and local economies;
-- Coordinating federal and local energy efficiencies and conservation
efforts;
-- Strengthening families and improving outcomes for children and youth;
-- Promoting sustainable development in communities; and

-- Protecting our public safety resources

Cities have a crucial role to play in our nation's economy and in the
development of federal strategies to keep our nation competitive. Novak
continued, "We need to make sure that all the purposes of the Recovery Act are
achieved; these investments must leave a legacy of healthier, better educated
communities with good paying jobs and stabilized state and local budgets."

Novak also challenged members of NLC to break down barriers that prevent
making communities stronger and more vibrant places. "It is our responsibility
to build a capacity for leadership in our own communities. Our constituents
should know that we don't have all the answers and that they are encouraged to
find not just solutions, but also to create new avenues that will drive our
cities forward."

Attendees at the 2009 National League of Cities' (NLC) Congress of Cities and
Exposition in San Antonio, Texas, joined thousands of municipal leaders from
across the country to participate in numerous sessions discussing ways cities
can navigate the economic recovery, while also learning about the latest city
innovations in public safety, economic development, public finance,
infrastructure and sustainability.

The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization
devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity,
leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities,
towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

www.nlc.org
www.nlctv.org
www.twitter.com/leagueofcities

SOURCE National League of Cities

Gregory Minchak, +1-210-582-7069 (conference phone), +1-202-626-3003,
Minchak@nlc.org, or Amanda Straub, +1-210-582-7069 (conference phone),
202-626-3015, straub@nlc.org