WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — With just a few weeks before officially taking office, Cleveland Mayor-elect Justin Bibb traveled to Washington D.C. for a special visit at the White House alongside other newly elected mayors on Tuesday.
"It was a privilege to visit the White House today to discuss how we can leverage federal resources to tackle systemic issues such as climate change, neighborhood investment, and public transit. Building back better starts in cities like Cleveland and the White House is counting on America's mayors to deliver for the American people," Bibb wrote on his Facebook page after his meeting.
Although President Biden was not scheduled to formally meet with the group of ten mayors and mayor-elects, The White House says the president did make an impromptu stop to talk with Bibb and the rest of the gathering. Biden also gave the group a tour of the Oval Office.
Vice President Kamala Harris also met with the mayors while they were in the Roosevelt Room with other administration officials. Bibb and his peers discussed topics including racial equity, affordable housing, emergency rental assistance and climate change with members of the White House staff and Cabinet members.
Bibb wasn't the only person with ties to Northeast Ohio participating in the meeting as Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge was also involved. She previously represented Ohio’s 11th Congressional District before joining President Biden’s administration.
The other participants included:
- Secretary Martin J. Walsh, U.S. Department of Labor
- Julie Rodriguez, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Gina McCarthy, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor
- Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President and American Rescue Plan Coordinator
- Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President and Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator
Bibb won the election last month against Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley. He will be sworn in on Jan. 3, taking charge of the city as Mayor Frank Jackson exits the office after serving four terms.
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