Salt Lake City mayor set to lead U.S. Conference of Mayors

That's why as the new president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Corradini will focus on those issues.

"The health of our youth is the health of our future," said Corradini, 54. "This country has to do a better job with our youth."

While many of the issues pushed by the leadership of the U.S. Conference of Mayors are tied to its core commitment to increased federal aid and less regulation from Washington, the group's presidency offers the officeholder a bully pulpit to advance pet initiatives.

Two years ago, under the leadership of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, fixing the shortcomings in urban education zoomed to the top of the group's agenda. Not coincidentally, Daley had just persuaded Illinois state leaders to transfer to his office new powers over the Chicago school district.

This past year as president, Fort Wayne, Ind., Mayor Paul Helmke forced the issue of abandoned industrial areas, known as "brownfields," onto the nation's urban agenda through speeches and a summit on the issue with Vice President Al Gore at the White House.

Corradini's focus will mirror that of President Kennedy, who created a presidential panel to encourage youth fitness.

In a similar fashion, Corradini, a divorced mother with two adult children, hopes to draw attention to studies showing that sports and other exercise have far-reaching benefits for children.

"The data show that if kids are in sports and physically fit, they are less apt to get into trouble - it raises their self-esteem - and for girls, they are less likely to get pregnant," Corradini said.

Corradini, a Democrat, former congressional aide and native of Providence, R.I., who became Salt Lake City's first female mayor in 1991, also said that school violence issues will also be at the top of her agenda.

Corradini won praise from many quarters for championing her city's long-shot bid to capture the 2002 Winter Olympics. But she also came under scrutiny two years ago when she acknowledged soliciting and receiving about $200,000 in personal gifts from contributors. Some of the donors had extensive dealings with the city.

The city council and a county office investigated, but no charges were ever filed against Corradini, who says the incident has made her a stronger leader.

"I've told other mayors that each of us have had our tough times because we are easy targets," Corradini said. "I just kept working for the people of Salt Lake City."

Helmke said he expects good things from Corradini.

"She has weathered tough times and put her city on the map," Helmke said. "She'll be busy with the Olympic commitments and running the conference but she can handle it."

archive