Mayors of America’s cities have been at
the forefront of
innovation to preserve the environment and have proven that the
private
and public sector can work together to improve environmental conditions
in our local communities. To help highlight some of these innovations,
and to
help us understand how all citizens play a role in addressing
the environmental
challenges of the 21st century, the National
Constitution Center and
Philadelphia magazine proudly welcome Mayor
Michael Nutter
and Mayor John Janssen for a special
Philadelphia Talks program titled “Sustainable
Cities,” the second event in the Center's
Red,
White, Blue and Green
series.
The Red, White, Blue and Green program
series at
the National Constitution Center features conversations with
nationally
respected scholars, practitioners, advocates, executives and
government
officials about unique constitutional issues pertaining to
environmental policy and stewardship.
From issues of
economic and national security to questions of states’
rights and
federalism, this wide-ranging and highly publicized series will
generate balanced, thought-provoking exchange and will shed light on
the
relevancy of the environment and the Constitution in every day
life.
Michael Nutter
is the
Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nutter is a lifetime Philadelphian, with an
accomplished career of public service, business and financial administration.
Nutter served as a City Councilman for nearly 15 years representing
Philadelphia’s Fourth District-one of the
city’s largest-encompassing the communities of Wynnefield, Overbrook,
Roxborough, Manayunk, East
Falls, Mt. Airy, and
parts of North and West Philadelphia. He
engineered groundbreaking ethics reform legislation, and led efforts to pass
"The Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Law," expanding the definition of
"public places" where smoking is not allowed, among countless economic and
legislative measures to improve the quality of life for people and businesses in
the 4th District and citywide.
John Janssen is the mayor of Greensburg, Kansas. He was born and
raised in Kentland, Indiana. Janssen was elected to
Greensburg
City Council in April
2005. A year later, he was elected Council President. On May 4, 2006, a tornado ripped through his town. In an article on the devestated town, Time wrote, "The tornado had measured EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, the highest possible
rating, and it left hardly a single wall standing." More than two-thirds of the town's population were left
homeless. In June 2007, he was elected mayor. Greensburg is building back greener, with energy-efficient homes and offices. Mayor Janssen and Greensburg are the subject of the Discovery Channel's upcoming documentary, Ecotown.
Moderating this program is
Caren Glotfelty, director of The
Heinz Endowments’ Environment Program. Under her leadership, the program’s grant
making has expanded to promote smart growth and land use at regional and state
levels, recognizing that ecologically sound development is an essential
component of economic prosperity and environmental protection. After earning a
master’s degree in regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania, Caren
worked in Pennsylvania and Maryland state government on policy and planning
issues involving land use and water quality. During Pennsylvania Gov. Robert
Casey’s administration, she became the first deputy secretary of water
management for the state Department of Environmental Resources.
Parking for this event is available for $7 at the Independence Visitor
Center’s
garage located on 5th and 6th Streets between Market and Arch
Streets. Please
also see our directions by public transportation.
For reservations please call:
215.409.6700. Programs of the National
Constitution Center begin promptly and latecomers may
not be admitted
to the program. Please note that the program is subject to
change.
This program is part of Philadelphia Talks, a series of unique discussions for Philadelphians about Philadelphia.
Don't miss our special Earth Day program in the Red, White, Blue and
Green series:
April 22, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.: "The Global Environment," with
Jeffrey Sachs
Related Links:
Mayor Michael
Nutter
Time: Turned Green by a TwisterThe
Heinz EndowmentPhiladelphia Magazine
