Photo (left to right):  Lambert, Troy Councilwoman Robin Beltramini, and Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson

From the NLC web site...

Indianapolis, Ind., Mayor Bart Peterson has been elected President of the National League of Cities (NLC) for 2007. Madison, Ala., Council Member Cynthia McCollum was elected 1st Vice President, and Northglenn, Colo., Mayor Kathleen Novak was elected 2nd Vice President by the NLC membership during its annual Congress of Cities, held this year in Reno, Nev.

Peterson has been active nationally in efforts to underscore the important role cities play in ensuring a vibrant quality of life for their citizens.  He served as NLC first and second vice president, as well as on NLC’s Board of Directors. He has also chaired NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families and was an Early Childhood Successes Champion.  Former Indianapolis mayors Richard Lugar and William Hudnut have also served as NLC president during their tenures as the city’s mayor.

“Most Americans live in cities, and we are the first responders, first providers and the level of government closest to the people,” Peterson said.  “As such, cities must be at the forefront of national and state policies.  I look forward to being a strong voice for Indianapolis and other cities across our state and country.”

Peterson said he would focus his attention during the next year on intensifying the advocacy for cities on Capitol Hill as well as emphasizing “close to home” issues that affect the ability of local officials to govern successfully.  He wants to initiate a national dialogue on the connection between media violence and increasing incidents of anti-social or violent behaviors in young people. 

“I know there is a significant and growing body of research demonstrating a connection between aggressive, anti-social behavior and exposure to media violence in many children,” Peterson said.  “Especially with interactive simulated violence, physiological changes occur in the brains of children and adults.  Most don’t follow up hours of video-game violence with criminal acts, but can we ignore the connection when we have evidence of many who do, and when we see so plainly that our society is cruder and our crime rates are rising?”

For more information, go to... http://www.nlc.org/Newsroom/Press_Room/13008.cfm