Edna Branch Jackson Washington, D.C. - Savannah, Ga., Mayor Pro-Tem and Alderman- At-Large Edna Branch Jackson was elected to the 2009 Board of Directors of the National League of Cities (NLC) during its Congress of Cities in Orlando, Fla., November 11-15.

Jackson was one of 18 new Board members elected at the meeting. The Board meets throughout the year and leads the organization by shaping priorities and directing the advocacy, research, and membership activities of NLC.

The election concluded NLC's 2008 Congress of Cities, attended by nearly 4,000 delegates. The delegates also elected new officers for the coming year, including Northglenn, Colo., Mayor Kathleen M. Novak as President; Riverside, Calif., Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge as 1st Vice President; and Charlotte, N.C., Council Member James E. Mitchell Jr. as 2nd Vice President.

The Congress of Cities is NLC's annual conference for city leaders. It encourages city leaders to exchange best practices and new program ideas that provide economic opportunities, make available more affordable housing, ensure public safety, and allow more effective interaction with state and federal agencies.

The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. www.nlc.org .