I also want to thank all of the efforts of our Rockford Community to celebrate today in a national day 0f service the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Our local community began a five-day celebration of Dr. King's legacy last week with the re-dedication of North Second Street/IL 251 as the Honorary Martin Luther King Drive. Adam Smith, the City's Director of Education, worked with Cyndie Hall, our Director of Tourism and Special Events, and many other community members on a broad-based committee to plan multiple events, including today's local celebration of a day of service. The President-Elect and Vice-President-Elect along with their wives joined national service efforts today. While our Nation has many challenges today, it is wonderful to see so many people working hard to bring positive change to our communities.Today was obviously a busy day of preparations at the Capitol for tomorrow's Inauguration. I joined a lot of people today waiting in lines and going through security to enter public buildings. Senator Durbin had a morning coffee at the Library of Congress with many Illinoisans who made the trek to Washington. I had a chanc
e to say hello to NIU President, John Peters, and his wife who were in DC for the Inauguration. I later joined other Illinois mayors in a smaller gathering at Senator Durbin's Office where I also had a chance to congratulate our newest Senator, Roland Burris.
e to say hello to NIU President, John Peters, and his wife who were in DC for the Inauguration. I later joined other Illinois mayors in a smaller gathering at Senator Durbin's Office where I also had a chance to congratulate our newest Senator, Roland Burris.State Senator Don Harmon was also at Senator Durbin's Office. Don is from Oak Park and he has been a great friend of Rockford working with our local State delegation on efforts like our truancy bill and overturning the Governor's veto of our Road Referendum collection bill in 2007.
At the top our the national legislative agenda for me and my fellow mayors has been the manner and method of how the Economic Stimulus bill will make its way to our nation's cities. At our luncheon meeting with Senator Durbin, 
we raised concerns that simply sending money to the States could delay or deny needed investment into our communities. I have joined other mayors in pushing for a substantial part of any package to go directly to our cities via our existing metropolitan planning organizations. In Rockford, we now have a more robust metropolitan planning body known as the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning or "RMAP" for short. This entity would push to get our local share invested as fast as possible. We all know well of many important projects that have been waiting far too long for investment.
we raised concerns that simply sending money to the States could delay or deny needed investment into our communities. I have joined other mayors in pushing for a substantial part of any package to go directly to our cities via our existing metropolitan planning organizations. In Rockford, we now have a more robust metropolitan planning body known as the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning or "RMAP" for short. This entity would push to get our local share invested as fast as possible. We all know well of many important projects that have been waiting far too long for investment.Looking forward to a great Inauguration Day tomorrow!
Mayor Morrissey
