#

Proclaiming the city's global importance, Mobile Mayor Sam Jones joined city leaders from around the world at an international panel on globalization in Chicago. Panel members at the Richard J. Daley Urban Forum spoke on issues ranging from immigration to urban architecture and from pandemics to international trade. Other participants included city leaders from Miami, Toronto, Moscow, Ireland, and South Africa.

Mobile was smallest city to participate in the panel, but the city's credentials spoke loud and clear to all involved.

"We were asked to be part of this forum because several multinational corporations are making Mobile home," said Mayor Jones. "Mobile has taken a very proactive stance on globalization. We are seizing opportunities to bring in foreign companies and their employment power for our citizens."

The choice of Mobile as the home for new projects by companies like Austal, EADS North America and many others caught the eye of panel coordinators.

During his speech, Mayor Jones pointed out that foreign interest in Mobile is nothing new.

"It occurred to me that 300 years ago, French and Spanish explorers settle in Mobile, because they saw the rich opportunities the area presented," Jones said. "Today, they're coming back for the very same reasons."

Launched in 2005 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Richard J. Daley's first inauguration as Mayor of Chicago, the Richard J. Daley Urban Forum at the University of Illinois-Chicago is an annual symposium for public officials, civic leaders, policymakers and commentators to discuss important issues and share insights into American urban history and urban studies. Former CNN anchor Bernard Shaw moderated the event.