On Friday, June 17, 2011 New Rochelle City Councilman Richard St. Paul traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the Obama administration and attended an intimate reception with the president. Councilman Richard St. Paul is one of a small number of members of People For the American Way Foundation’s Young Elected Officials Network, a network of young elected office holders, who were invited to the White House to discuss important issues facing states and localities.
“In these tough economic times where cities like New Rochelle are struggling to improve their financial outlook, looking to promote investment in our city and create jobs and expand the use of technology; I was especially delighted by the opportunity to meet with the President’s senior economic and technology advisors in addition, to other members of the President’s Administration including the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. I am also thankful to President Obama for highlighting the work we do as young elected officials and reminding me why I became a public servant when he told us that People should not get into politics to become somebody, but to do something.” said Councilman Richard St. Paul.
The Young Elected Officials Network, a project of People For the American Way Foundation, provides support and training for over 600 progressive state, county and city elected officials from all 50 states.
“We are thrilled to be able to take the observations and concerns of so many young, progressive elected officials to President Obama and the Administration,” said Andrew Gillum, Executive Director of the Young Elected Officials Network. “ We’re tremendously proud to be able to help the president get to know our communities and discuss the issues affecting states and localities across the country.”