National League of Cities Announces Additional Keynote Speakers for Congress of Cities

Ed Rendell, Majora Carter, Hill Harper Added to Conference Program

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, eco-entrepreneur Majora Carter and mentor, author, actor and activist Hill Harper have been confirmed to speak during the National League of Cities' (NLC) 2011 Congress of Cities and Exposition in Phoenix.  The three speakers will address delegates during the conference's Opening General Session on Thursday afternoon, November 10.

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The opening session will discuss where future growth for cities will come from given current economic struggles. Speakers will address how infrastructure, sustainability and improving prospects for young people can affect a community's economic growth and development.

Rendell will address the infrastructure needs of the nation and how to encourage private investment and development.  A former mayor of Philadelphia, Rendell is currently co-chair of Building America's Future, a coalition of elected officials dedicated to bringing about a new era of infrastructure investment.

Harper will discuss why investing in education, children and families is vitally important to a community.  Currently a star on the CBS drama CSI: New York, Harper is also a New York Times bestselling author, a volunteer and spokesman for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and has won numerous NAACP Image Awards.  Harper will also speak at a luncheon during the National Summit on Your City's Families where he will discuss the importance of education and how to motivate youth to be architects of their lives.

Carter will discuss how cities can work on sustaining the environment while sustaining their economies.  Founder of Sustainable South Bronx, Carter hosts the public radio series "The Promised Land" and serves on the board of the US Green Building Council and The Wilderness Society.

On November 12, conference delegates will also hear from author and Harvard University professor Edward Glaeser on how cities are key to the nation's growth and prosperity.  

While conference programming is divided into four main topics – Economic Development, Green Cities, Infrastructure and the National Summit on Your City's Families – programming will also explore the impact of immigration in communities and will highlight the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

In addition to keynote speakers, workshops and peer networking sessions, the Congress of Cities will offer the traditional governance activities, leadership training seminars, mobile workshops, exhibit hall and committee, council and constituency group meetings.  The organization will also elect its 2012 officers and Board of Directors and will set organizational policies and priorities for 2012 during the conference.

View conference details and media registration information.

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.  

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SOURCE National League of Cities