The United States Conference of Mayors (UCSM) appointed Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia to be the chair of the conference’s Ports and Exports Task Force this week, according to the mayor’s office in an announcement Dec. 11.
The task force serves to work on trade and port issues for the UCSM and to support trade and security in the nation’s ports, according to the mayor’s office in a press release.
In a public email statement that same day, Garcia wrote that he intends to ensure fair trade and local-job growth in his new position.
“Strengthening trade and commerce at our ports is critical to the success of our national economy and regional economies throughout the United States,” he said. “The Port of Long Beach is a national leader, and I am looking forward to partnering with mayors from across the country on trade and exports to create jobs and economic opportunities.”
Steve Benjamin, UCSM president and mayor of Columbia, S.C., made the announcement, according to Garcia’s office. Garcia succeeds Mark Stodola, former mayor of Little Rock, Ark.
Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach, said in the press release that he is encouraged to continue working alongside the mayor in this new capacity.
“I look forward to working with Mayor Garcia in this new role to highlight the Clean Air Action Plan, our key infrastructure projects affirming our commitment to operational excellence and other initiatives that make the Port of Long Beach one of the best ports in the world,” he said.
Garcia has served as vice chair of the task force since 2015, when he was appointed by Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, then mayor of Baltimore, Md.
