National League of Cities (NLC) President James C. Hunt, councilman from Clarksburg, W.Va., hailed today?s signing of the extension of the Voting Rights Act as proof of a national commitment to build inclusive communities in this nation.

?This is an historic day for our country and for America?s cities and towns,? Hunt said.  ?Extending this landmark legislation -- which is a symbol of our shared commitment to building inclusive communities -- was an important lobbying priority for the National League of Cities.? 

Hunt joined members of Congress and civil rights leaders today at the White House as President Bush signed the 25-year extension of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.  Other NLC leaders who attended the special event were NLC Past President Anthony A. Williams, mayor of Washington, D.C.; NLC Board Member James Perkins, Jr., mayor of Selma Alabama; and Councilman Leslie Burl McLemore of Jackson, Miss., chair of NLC?s Leadership Training Council.
 
Hunt has been spearheading a NLC initiative that is challenging cities to build more inclusive communities.  To date, 65 cities and towns across the country have joined the partnership.  Going beyond race, religion, or disabilities, Hunt is urging officials to ?embrace our differences? and ?bring the us back into U.S.?  As part of this initiative, participating cities are posting ?welcome? signs in their cities and towns. 

?The timing of this White House ceremony is particularly appropriate because Mayor Perkins and I unveiled a sign saying Welcome, We Are Building an Inclusive Community, earlier this week in Selma,? Hunt said. 

During today?s Rose Garden ceremony, President Bush acknowledged Mayor Perkins and the historic role Selma has played in demanding equal rights for all.  ?The people who participated in the voting rights movement in the streets of Selma in 1965 forged the passing of the original Act and paid the price for my invitation to this historic event,? Perkins said. 

In May, Hunt and other NLC leaders urged Congress to pass the legislation which they saw as ?instrumental to the nation?s efforts to create inclusive communities by ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process?. (It has) had the cumulative effect of reducing and preventing racial and language discrimination against a significant number of our citizens and helped increase minority representation at all levels of government.?

For more information, contact Sherry Conway Appel, 202-626-3003. 

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