MAYOR HANNEMANN ELECTED U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS TRUSTEE

(Monday, June 15, 2009) Providence, RI – Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann today was elected a trustee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and will now help oversee the national organization’s administration and finances.

“I’m very grateful to my colleagues at the USCM for electing me to this important position in service to our nation’s cities,” Hannemann said after the vote at the group’s 77th annual meeting. The USCM is the official nonpartisan organization of the nation’s 1,201 cities with populations of 30,000 or more.

Hannemann also serves as chairman of the USCM Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports, and is co-chair, with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, of a special public-private task force working to support the U.S. proposal to host the 2016 Olympics in Chicago.

OLYMPICS PROPOSAL, SPECIAL EVENTS

            On Sunday, Hannemann presented to mayors from across the nation an update on the task force and the U.S. Olympic proposal. Chicago is competing with Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo to host the games, and the International Olympic Committee is scheduled to make a decision on October 2.

Hannemann announced that the task force will help organize “watch” events in the nation’s cities that will allow the public to view the IOC vote in Copenhagen live. The events can be held in homes, schools, auditoriums and other venues to show the entire world that Americans are supporting the U.S. Olympic bid, Hannemann said.

As a result of the special task force’s efforts, more than 180 U.S. cities have pledged to hold “Olympic Day” events in support of the bid. Hannemann has expanded the event in Honolulu to a week-long celebration, from today to June 23.

The Honolulu celebration includes special events for participants in the city’s “Summer Fun” program; a 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, June 20; a “Sunset on the Field” movie event at Les Murakami Stadium at the University of Hawaii—Manoa that evening featuring “Miracle,” a film about the inspiring true story of the U.S. Olympic ice hockey team’s 1980 victory over the Soviet Union team; and special appearances by Hawaii Olympians and by Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist Misty May-Treanor. For more information, go to www.honoluluolympicday.com.

NATIONAL CULINARY AWARD

At Sunday’s plenary session of the mayors’ conference, Hannemann announced that the USCM will sponsor a National Culinary Award, in collaboration with the National Restaurant Association and the Culinary Institute of America. The award will recognize a prominent restaurateur or chef for public service in a community, along with exceptional hospitality and customer service. Hannemann initiated the award plan and has been working for past year to bring it to fruition.

“Our world-class chefs and restaurants are often the highlight of a Hawaii vacation, and I’m hopeful that we will have our fair share of local honorees for this award,” Hannemann said.

APEC CONFERENCE PROPOSAL

            Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 16), Hannemann will meet in Washington with White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett regarding Honolulu’s proposal to host the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, as well as other issues affecting Honolulu. Hannemann will also meet with a U.S. State Department official regarding APEC. Honolulu is a finalist to host the APEC event, along with Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additional cities may also be considered.

FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION MEETING

            Hannemann will also meet in Washington with Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff regarding Honolulu’s rail transit project. President Obama nominated Rogoff for the position in April, and he won Senate confirmation in May. During his confirmation hearing, Rogoff indicated to Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii that he strongly supports Honolulu’s rail transit project.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION MEETING

            In Chicago on Wednesday, Hannemann will address the American Public Transportation Association, which invited him to address its Rail Conference. APTA, founded in 1882, is the nation’s leading organization advocating on behalf of public transportation. APTA supports safe, efficient and economical transit services, and improving such services to meet national energy, environmental, and financial concerns.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

            In Providence, Hannemann recorded two public service announcements urging individuals to ensure they are counted in the 2010 national census, and to fight abuse by young people of prescription drugs. The television and radio announcements will be aired locally soon.

Mayor Hannemann will return to Honolulu on Thursday.

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Media contact: Bill Brennan, Mayor’s Office, 768-6928