On Dec. 21, the day after the announcement that Baltimore was among six U.S. cities to receive coveted empowerment-zone grants from the federal government, Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke and the mayors of the other five cities took part in a conference call with President Clinton and Vice President Gore. Below is a transcript of the exchange between Mr. Schmoke and Mr. Gore during the call, courtesy of the Federal News Service:
GORE: . . . I'd like to say just a word about Baltimore and how important it is that Baltimore understands clearly how important job creation is to a sustainable future. The plan that Baltimore submitted is going to train and connect empowerment zone residents with the city's largest job generator, the health care industry, life science, and tourist industries, and it was a most impressive application . . .
SCHMOKE: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I just want you to know that I happen to . . . have on a Johns Hopkins Children Center tie that reminds us of the importance of Hopkins as an institution. It's our largest private employer, and certainly it's near and dear to your heart, and I thank you, Mr. President, for your faith in us. We are going to do a good job here. We'll show people that cities are the centers of expanding opportunity, as you said on many different occasions, and really show that a partnership with the federal government pays great dividends not only for our cities, but for the entire nation.
GORE: I happened to meet with Senator Mikulski again this morning, too, you all know of course how hard she worked on this legislation and setting up this program.
SCHMOKE: I just want to thank our congressional delegation for doing the outstanding job that they did. Senator Mikulski was with us last night, and Senator Sarbanes of course was out of the country, but Congressman Mfume and Congressman Cardin also worked very hard and everyone at HUD did an outstanding job and we thank you all again.