Mayor Stodola one of Mayors Selected to Provide Leadership, Input on Stimulus

(Little Rock – February 19, 2009) President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden have invited mayors from across America to join them at the White House on Friday, February 20, to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola will be one of a select group of mayors attending the meeting in the East Room of the White House.

Following the meeting with the President and Vice President, Stodola and other leading mayors will meet with members of the Obama Administration, including Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and other officials directing the stimulus funds.

"I'm honored to be one of only 60 mayors from across America to attend this meeting with President Obama and Vice President Biden," said Mayor Stodola, "Little Rock stands to receive millions of dollars for infrastructure projects and tax breaks that will create new jobs and put money into our economy. As Arkansas's Capitol City, Little Rock can lead the way and be an example of how this stimulus money can rebound our economy."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors commended President Obama and Congress for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is in line with the U.S. Conference of Mayors' priorities, and look forward to working with the Administration to implement this landmark legislation toward transforming our national economy for the 21st Century.

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