>> inc. you so much, it is nothing short but a great honor to introduce the president of the united states. i would like to use this privilege to briefly say two things. first, thank you. mr. president, you have been a true partner to america's mayors. you traveled you traveled to speak at our meetings, you have made time, time and again you have welcomed us into the white house. you have set your cabinet officials and senior advisers to actively engage with us at our u.s. conference of mayors. you have chosen mayors to serve on your cabinet, you have chosen a great former mayor to serve as your white house staff who has worked successfully with us to accomplish, goals. you have had an open door policy in your administration giving us

a suit at the table. you have shown personal attention to my own city, baltimore, when we need to get the most. for that, i personally think you. it is no secret why you do these things, you are a city guy at hearts and i know you are a chicagoan at heart. as he told us in san francisco, while you love everyone else, you really love mayors. second, we all know you have about a year left on your term, so to live. so i speak on behalf of my colleagues committed to work with you to do whatever we can to make this the most productive year, for you and your administration, as well as for cities and whatever we do together we look to make progress that endures so that the next occupant of this office can't ignore cities in our successes. with that, it is my distinct

pleasure to introduce the 44th president of the united states, barack obama. [laughter] thank you. hello everybody thank you. thank you so much. thank you. have a seat. thank you for that wonderful introduction. >> ..

>> >> when i took office and made the prairie to build a strong partnership all across the country. and america has made extraordinary progress over the last seven years.

mayors cannot get stuck in partisan gridlock but frankly if you are a mayor nobody cares of party the what you get done. to get stuck up in bologna your constituents expect results. and why on so many issues working with climate change and increasing minimum wage about 40 counties have taken action for raising the wages paid family leave and sick leave in 20 counties are competing in the health communities challenge to get more signed up for health coverage.

to retrofit buildings earlier today maya administration announced we will award 13 cities states and counties $1 million to help build more climate communities cop cop -- [applause] and like government officials at other levels mayors understand the services in the effectiveness and government generally that you have to work for and fight for and invest in every single day. but the day before that i

was that the new the the west will dash elected from flint michigan to talk about what has been the inexcusable situation with respect to drinking water. and in the bipartisan budget agreement we secured cities like yours build water infrastructure. and our children could not be worried about the water they are drinking in america. [applause] all of you are facing challenges. and we don't suspect we will solve all those immediately but to make progress one of

those areas where we all have concerns is when it comes to violence on our streets. and to be blessed with outstanding partnerships in places like columbia south carolina, the mayor is implementing recommendations from the task force from community policing from oak creek after seeing a terrible tragedy of gun violence in this community has been working to implement steps to reduce gun violence in the conference of mayors understanding the importance of a global economy to make sure u.s. businesses of our outstanding partners to promote trade with the trans

pacific partnership on american made goods and that means we will sell more to other people and make sure we write the rules so american businesses and jobs are not left behind. and one of the most dynamic fastest growing regions of the world. you have worked together with us to recognize we will have a stronger cities, a stronger states and a stronger country if we make sure every person are steered away from crime and prison and are getting the skills they need. we have accomplished a lot together i could not be prouder of the work we have done together there is more

that i want to get done i instilled pushing hard and we have a real opportunity to of criminal-justice reform done and work together to combat the scourge of opioids and heroines spreading through communities across the country. we can do a lot to improve our schools and build new housing to keep families from growing dynamic cities. and fighting for political system that makes it easier for people to vote. not harder. >> the of bottom line is all of you we're doing an outstanding work in the

trenches every single day not always getting a thank you why did you get that done? or why did you get it done earlier? the pace is relentless to see that every single day. in case you feel underappreciated. i hope you understand how heartfelt my words of thanks are. to see the cities take leadership with transformations of communities across the country when cities are strong the states are strong and america is strong. [applause]

they akio everybody. >> now we will move out. humane need to get home. [laughter] don't get stuck in traffic. [laughter]

[inaudible conversations] >> we will call the committee together to get

started and i want to expedite to pay close attention so they don't think we're rushing but we have a storm coming a lot of people pete -- pieces in place i will make the brief opening statement otherwise he could make it later in the hearing. we will go to secretary donald in to take the time which is appropriate with the serious intent for those two that originated in the ranking member has made is a you are not cut out after

all. [laughter] >> and anyone who was to make a statement submitted for the record after the hearing is over and will make a brief statement then go directly to the secretary rigo peaking get all that before the ted and 30 vote and they think everybody for being here. first of all, please stand and remain standing and love to tell officers that. [laughter] the american lead gin national commander the county next to my county will lead to thank you for your service to help support us because you are the eyes and the years that give us the feedback