Three cities celebrate 50 years of NLC membership.

Three cities will mark a half-century of membership in the National League of Cities this week at the Congress of Cities in Nashville, Tenn.

Washington, D.C., Topeka, Kan., and Knoxville, Tenn., will receive awards during a special ceremony at the Friday, Dec. 12, general session.

"As we celebrate the golden anniversary between NLC, Washington, Topeka and Knoxville, we also celebrate the long-term commitment that NLC has with all its members; to advocate on their behalf in the nation's capital, to revitalize the intergovernmental partnership and to recognize cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance," said NLC Executive Director Donald Borut.

Washington, D. C. (pop. 572,059)

The nation's capital became one of the first cities to join NLC in 1953, more than one decade before the city elected its first mayor and city council. Since then, the District's elected officials have been very active in NLC's advocacy efforts.

This year will mark the election of District Mayor Anthony Williams as NLC's First Vice President. Williams was elected Second Vice President during the 2002 Congress of Cities in Salt Lake City, Utah. He will run for the organization's presidency in 2004.

Williams said that the District's long-term relationship with NLC has paid off for his city and its citizens by allowing him and other District officials an opportunity to meet and network with other city officials from across the nation.

"While we are cities and towns of different sizes, we face many of the same challenges. All of us want good schools, affordable housing, a safe and clean environment, and our constituents expect superior city services. NLC provides the resources and tools needed to give us benchmark statistics, ideas and solutions that have worked for other cities with similar concerns," said Williams.

Williams added that membership in NLC has also given the city a platform from which to petition for the same rights as other cities.

"One of the greatest challenges for Washington, D.C., is our lack of representation in Congress. As I travel across the United States speaking at conventions and meetings, I am able to inform my peers that the District of Columbia does not have voting rights, does not have full budget autonomy over its own budget that represents one of the largest tax revenue sources in the country, and does not have legislative autonomy over laws that have been passed by our residents.

"Many people are amazed and outraged by our reality. I believe we have made positive strides with Congress in the last couple of years because of our NLC membership and this increased awareness," said Williams.

Knoxville, Tenn. (pop. 172,890)

Located near the center of the Great Valley of East Tennessee at the headwaters of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is at the center of the region's economy, culture and history.

Following World War I, Knoxville built its economy through commerce, industry and its abundant natural resources. Following the Great Depression, Knoxville became an important New Deal city, with easy access to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and as the headquarters for the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Knoxville boasts a number of amenities--low housing and healthcare costs, access to recreational areas and rising per capita income--which continue to make it one of America's best cities in which to live.

Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe said the city is delighted to join Washington and Topeka in celebrating the cities' golden anniversaries with NLC.

Ashe said membership allows his city an opportunity to network with other officials and to be part of a advocacy effort to presents municipal issues on Capital Hill.

"Knoxville gains the clout of working with other cities on common issues such as the internet tax issue, unfunded federal mandates and funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund," said Ashe. "If Knoxville were on its own, we would not be as effective as joining with our sister cities across America."

Topeka, Kan. (pop. 122,377)

A ferry shuttled pioneers bound for a new life in the American West across the Kansas River. It was perhaps the first commercial venture in what is now Topeka, the capital of Kansas.

The city has not lost its pioneer spirit, and has used that connection to its past to encourage economic development and improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Dave Graversen, the city's chief administrative officer, said the city remains committed to NLC because of the pioneering work the organization does with its advocacy.

"The League provides us with a lot of services we couldn't get any other way, such as the lobby day at the Congressional City Conference," said Graversen. "NLC also provides our officials with educational and training opportunities.

"Topeka has been a member of NLC for 50 years because we see the value and importance in it," he said.