Stanton Advance Efforts on Marriage Equality and Climate Protection

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PHOENIX — Mayor Greg Stanton and mayors from across the nation joined together to make a strong statement in favor of marriage equality. At the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Dallas this weekend, Stanton also led the effort to pass a Climate Protection Agreement and received the City Livability Award for Phoenix’s Veterans Court initiative.

“We are a stronger, more vibrant and more economically viable when we treat every person equally under the law,” Stanton said. “The change we need to support our diverse communities and to build a more sustainable future – it’s happening in cities.”

Marriage Equality

Mayors approved a resolution to support marriage equality for same-sex couples backed the group Mayors for the Freedom to Marry. Stanton co-chairs the bipartisan group, along with Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, Annise Parker of Houston, and Kasim Reed of Atlanta.

Climate Protection

Stanton, who chairs the conference’s environmental committee, joined a handful of mayors, including Kevin Johnson of Sacramento, Calif., in declaring renewed support for the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.

The revised agreement emphasizes – for the first time – local actions to help cities adapt to changing climate conditions and demonstrates support for local conservation efforts.

Stanton now plans to encourage other mayors to sign on to the agreement, which also urges federal and state governments to enact legislation, policies and programs to aid cities in efforts to protect our environment, eliminate waste and fight climate change.

Phoenix Recognized for Veterans Court

Stanton also received a City Livability Award on behalf of the City of Phoenix for his work with the Phoenix Veterans Court. The program has served more than 600 veterans since Stanton took office in 2012 and works in cooperation with the community’s ongoing efforts to eradicate veteran homelessness.

More than 230 mayors from across the country attended the three-day conference to help set the group’s agenda for the next year.