The League honored U.S. Representative Maxine Waters during the closing general session of its 2008 annual conference, recognizing her outstanding contribution to California cities and, in particular, her work on the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. She helped lead the fight to retain a one-time $3.9 billion in emergency neighborhood stabilization funding to help states and local governments redevelop abandoned and foreclosed homes and residential properties.

League President Jim Madaffer commended Rep. Waters, saying, “The Housing and Economic Recovery Act has been a top priority for the League of California Cities. Representative Maxine Waters’ leadership with this legislation ensures that California cities, some of the hardest hit in the nation by the mortgage crisis, have access to the tools necessary to fully recover.” Madaffer continued, “When people go through mortgage foreclosure and are forced to abandon their home, it’s devastating for them, and it affects their neighbors and the quality of life of the entire city. The $3.9 billion for emergency neighborhood stabilization will help California’s cities secure and revitalize abandoned homes and provide affordable housing to our residents.”

Rep. Waters was unable to attend the presentation and sent Blanca Jimenez, her district director, to accept the award on her behalf. “Congresswoman Waters appreciates the League’s recognition of her work, which benefits not only California cities, but all U.S. cities,” said Jimenez. “She supports the work that the League does to advocate for California cities.”

This article appears in the January 2009 issue of Western City
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