Thank you Mr. President
1/28/2010
When Barack Obama was elected President of the United States only 14 months ago, he offered hope of a real change in the direction of America.
For the last year we've seen mostly political bickering, and I personally was afraid we had lost a great opportunity. But last night Our President gave a speech that was more than words: He had an interaction with America; a re-launch of Hope.
By acknowledging that we are all frustrated with partisan bickering he spoke of reclaiming the American Spirit in a way that leaves us not at the mercy of our government, but in control of it.
"What the American people hope-what they deserve-is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics." - Barack Obama, State of the Union Address, January 27, 2010
I believe that he is right. We must work together both Democrats and Republicans. We must produce good jobs and assist small business to create jobs. We must tackle the problem of health care. We must make smarter and greater investments in education, including community colleges and student loans. We must give our children a better life. Let's try common sense. Let's invest in our people.Let's build an infrastructure for the future.I believe it will take bold and visionary leadership to ensure that all Americans have this opportunity.
Today in Missouri, jobs are number one. Make no mistake. Families cannot seriously consider the future when they don't have the means to get through today. Small businesses are at the heart of job growth and I believe, as the President has stated, that exporting our goods to the rest of the world is the key to our economic safety.
Thank you Mr. President for your dedication to our country. I hope that your message was heard by all Americans - and especially Missourians - no matter their political stripe. Together we can move forward.
- Joe Adams
Today citizen-led movements across America are congregating to express the passion and dream of
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
1/19/2010
The legacy of Dr. King holds special meaning for me because of his direct impact on my life. I am the son of a father who worked two jobs and a mother who worked also to provide their family opportunities they did not have. My parents dedicated their lives to providing my sister and I the best education possible, and I graduated from an integrated high school. In my school, we weren't segregated as some of the early integrated schools were, we formed groups, but they were the groups of our choosing, not state-imposed. Friends from other schools thought it was "weird", white friends and black friends - all friends, but we thought they were "weird". That early emergence into equality has helped me to continue to work towards seeing that all people are treated fairly and given the opportunity to succeed.
Race relations in Missouri and especially in the St. Louis area have always been complex. I do my best to honor my mother and father and their hard work, and the education they provided me has given me the opportunity to serve my community. I was the first African American elected to the City Council in University City and then as Mayor. In these roles, I do my best to see that when citizens step up to the counter of their government they find it qualified, capable, cordial and reflective of its people.
Yesterday, I welcomed citizens to the annual MLK event in University City. I remember vividly seeing members of the community and church choirs at that first community wide celebration, singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" together - many of them hearing that song for the first time - some 24 years ago. Now, a generation later, the song, known then as the 'Negro National Anthem' is widely enjoyed by all citizens, especially during this time of the year.
Working alongside community organizations for the good of our neighborhoods and to give our children lives they can be proud of - to see so many young people expressing the passion and dream of Dr. King is especially heart-warming to me.
Dr. King believed we could discover a way to live together in peace.
He believed we would find a way to reject revenge, aggression and retaliation.
He refused to believe that we were so bound by racism and war, that peace,
brotherhood and sisterhood were not possible.
He believed that what self-
centered people had torn down, other-centered people could build up.
He believed by the goodness of God, brokenness could be healed.
This dream can be seen today with the huge outpouring of generosity
in the rescue and recovery for the people of Haiti.
May everyone today continue to honor Dr. King's dream not only for today's holiday events, but for all the days to come. Let us disagree with kindness, not bitterness. May we all work to live the Dream every day.
- Joe Adams
Sustainable Community Winner: University City
St. Louis Business Journal - by Lisa R. Brown
Dating back to its pioneering newspaper recycling program in the 1960s, University City has been and remains a community trailblazer when it comes to the environment.
This year, University City staff led the way on a new purchasing agreement with a supplier of office paper with recycled content. By signing up seven other municipalities — Maryland Heights, Clayton, Richmond Heights, Olivette, Creve Coeur, Webster Groves, and Ferguson — to buy in bulk, the savings was passed on to the entire group.
University City officials also have begun work on another program they believe could be copied throughout the region. This month, city leaders tapped architectural firm Arcturis, BOA Construction and Washington University’s Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts to design and build five LEED Platinum homes, all priced under $200,000. The city is donating the land for the five lots and has approved eight-year tax abatement for the project, to be located in the 6600 blocks of Bartmer and Crest avenues.
<CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY>
Mayor Joe Adams receives the first Gates of Opportunity Award for his 30 years of service.
By Margaret Gillerman, St. Louis Post Dispatch - 10.07.2009
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The 105-year old searchlight that lit up the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904 will be turned on at 9:30 p.m. and will shine across the city. The antique searchlight is lit only on special occasions. |
Photo's from the event:
Mayor Adams accepting the Opportunity Award for 30 years of service.
Mayor Adams speaking to the crowd.
"University City mayor joins 14th District state Senate race"
By Phil Sutin, St. Louis Post-Dispatch - 07.03.2009
After serving more than 33 years as a council member and mayor of University City, Joe Adams is moving to a new political arena.
Adams, the city’s mayor since 1996, is running for state senator in the 14th District. He is one of what for now is a three-candidate race in the Democratic primary next August.
Joining Adams in organizing state Senate campaign committees are State Rep. Theodore “Ted” Hoskins, D-Berkeley, and former State Rep. Esther Haywood, D-Bellerive. Filing of the Aug. 3, 2010 election opens on Feb. 23 and closes March 30. <CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY>
