FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2009
No. 2

CITIES OF SERVICE EXPANDS TO 80 MAYORS

A New Force at the Front Lines of the Citizen Service Movement

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the 16 additional founding members of Cities of Service today announced that the coalition has expanded to 80 cities since its September 2009 inception, easily surpassing the target of 50 cities by Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2010. Cities of Service is a bipartisan coalition of mayors, who work together to engage millions more volunteers in service. The rapid growth of the coalition highlights the intense local interest from mayors to coordinate and expand service locally, as well as the increasingly prominent role mayors can play in the growing national movement to harness the power of everyday Americans to help solve our nation’s greatest challenges. The Cities of Service coalition now represents more than 38 million Americans.

“Earlier this year, Congress and the President challenged all Americans to give back just a bit more when the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act became law,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Well mayors are answering that call – from every corner of the county, on both sides of the aisle, and in exciting numbers. Mayors, who work at the front line day in and day out addressing local challenges, represent a new force at the front lines of the citizen service movement.”

“The City of Dublin, Ohio congratulates those cities that have joined the Cities of Service coalition,” said Dublin, OH Mayor Marilee Chinnici-Zuercher. “We look forward to seeing this commitment and dedication to serve our communities help drive our economic recovery and position service as a strategy to deliver solutions to our local challenges.”

“Here in Nashville, we have seen a tremendous response in the public’s desire to serve and help others from the launch of our first Cities of Service initiative. With so many mayors and cities joining, it’s exciting to think of the impact Cities of Service will have nationwide,” said Nashville, TN Mayor Karl Dean.

“Thanks to the precedent set by President Obama and my colleagues in the Cities of Service coalition, the momentum behind service is reaching unprecedented heights,” said Washington, DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “The District of Columbia welcomes new members to the coalition and looks forward to working as a team to take on the problems we face as a nation.”

“As an inaugural member of the Cities of Service coalition, Phoenix congratulates the rapid achievement of the 80-city milestone,” said Phoenix, AZ Mayor Phil Gordon. “With the start of 2010 just days away, our city looks forward to the limitless opportunities to energize our communities with the spirit of service – next year and beyond.”

“This milestone is a testament to the dedication and commitment Cities of Service has made to making service a top priority in this country,” said Sacramento, CA Mayor Kevin Johnson. “Sacramento is honored to be a part of this milestone and looks to help continue building on the success of the coalition.”

“All of us who have joined the Cities of Service coalition have acknowledged a need to roll up our sleeves and lend a hand to our fellow citizens in order to make a positive, lasting impact on the lives of those we serve,” said Jacksonville, FL Mayor John Peyton.  “Jacksonville is proud to be part of the growth of this movement and looks forward to its continued success.”

“It is great that more cities are stepping up to the call of service,” said Los Angeles, CA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “This is truly the beginning of a grassroots movement that will sweep through every corner of our diverse and culturally vibrant country. With neighbors helping fellow neighbors in need, the possibilities to improve the quality of life nationwide are endless.”

“I welcome the new Cities of Service partners to the coalition,” said Vicksburg, MS Mayor Paul Winfield. “It is my sincere hope that each community will utilize this opportunity to expand their respective service efforts.”

The coalition – composed of 17 founding members – originally convened in New York City at Gracie Mansion on September 10, 2009. All coalition members signed a “Declaration of Service,” committing to work together to lead a multi-year effort to expand community service and volunteerism by:

• Developing a comprehensive service plan and a coordinated strategy focused on matching volunteers and established community partners to the areas of greatest local need;
• Working with other mayors and elected officials to advance strategies and best practices that accelerate the service movement and produce measurable results;
• Encouraging other mayors to join this national effort to engage our citizens; and
• Ensuring that the voice of cities is heard in federal legislative, policy, and program discussions related to service, which will help the country achieve the ambitious goals of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

Earlier this month, 40 member cities participated in a two-day conference in Philadelphia hosted by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Attendees heard detailed lectures on a diverse range of service topics, including: creating a comprehensive service plan; involving local philanthropic organizations with municipal service programs; and bolstering and highlighting volunteer programs on the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

About Cities of Service

Founded in New York City on September 10, 2009, Cities of Service is a bipartisan coalition of mayors who have answered the historic Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act’s call to action. Cities – often at the front lines of our nation’s most pressing challenges – are perfectly positioned to work together to engage millions more volunteers in service and develop strategies to increase the amount and impact of local service efforts.

Members of the Cities of Service coalition:

* Denotes founding mayor

More information about the coalition can be found at www.citiesofservice.org .

Contact:          Mayor Bloomberg’s Press Office (Cities of Service)  (212) 788-2958