NCR Features DC Leaders
Gray, Williams Address Regional Leaders
in National Conference of Regions
The 2007 National Conference of Regions, organized annually by the National Association of Regional
Councils (NARC), was held on February 4 to 6 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The opening ceremony was graced by the honorable Vincent Gray, Chair of the District of Columbia Council.
The three-day conference, themed “Regional Excellence: The Federal Role,” brought together representatives of Regional Councils throughout the country, including local elected officials to discuss the legislative agenda of the Association. It provided opportunities for dialogue with federal officials about issues important to Regional Councils such as transportation, economic development, homeland security and regional preparedness, and the environment.
The NCR featured roundtable discussions and facilitated sessions with James Hanlon and Randy Kelly of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Marko Bourne of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Jack Gleason of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dr. Chad Moutray of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Benjamin Erulkar and Barry Bird of the U.S. Department of Commerce and many more.
“NARC is very fortunate to have leaders from federal agencies come and meet with our local and regional leaders. Through this conference, not only will they be able to shed light on some of the pressing issues such as maintaining the State Revolving Fund for water resources, SAFETEA-LU, and financing regional economic development programs, but also be aware of how deeply involved NARC members are in these issues,” said Cameron Moore, NARC Executive Director. “Working together in facing community challenges and opportunities has a positive impact on the American regions we serve, and at the forefront of all these are our regional councils and metropolitan planning organizations.”
This year, NARC celebrates its 40th year of service to regional communities. “We marvel at the progress of our regions brought about by sound planning, stewardship, and regional cooperation, in pursuit of an improved quality of life. We look back at forty years of regional excellence and can certainly look forward to another forty years and beyond of working together and engaging stakeholders to advance our communities,” said Polk County Judge John Thompson, NARC President.
Other speakers include the honorable Anthony Williams, former Mayor of Washington, D.C., Lorraine Miller, newly appointed Clerk of the House of Representatives, Jody Powell, press secretary to President Jimmy Carter and Chairman/CEO of Powell Tate|Weber Shandwick, and Robert Sunshine, Director for Budget Analysis of the Congressional Budget Office. The conference offered “A Day on the Hill,” where NARC hosted a breakfast reception in honor of the 110th United States Congress.
The National Association of Regional Councils is a recognized authority and leading advocate for regional organizations and solutions that positively impact American communities – large and small, urban and rural. The NARC membership is composed of organizations that engage multiple local governments to work together in addressing inter-jurisdictional issues such as transportation, economic development, homeland security and regional preparedness, and the environment.