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This week, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia joined 300 mayors across the country, including Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti, in the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., which began Wednesday.

As the vice chair of the Ports and Exports Task Force, Garcia will meet today with Mayor Bob Buckhorn of Tampa, Florida and Assistant Trade Representative Omar Kahn to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement. The vice chair of the Export Import Bank, Wanda Felton, will speak at the meeting on expanding exports through the bank.

“This will be my first meeting with the Taskforce, and I will be providing an overview of POLB Green Port policy and its successes, our efforts at supply chain optimization, and the major investments in capital projects happening at the port, including projects like the new bridge, Middle Harbor, and our preparations for the larger ships,” said Garcia of today’s meeting. “I am looking forward to visiting the President and meeting with White House staff again, as well as connecting with mayors from around the country. There will also be some important sessions on technology, the arts, transportation, and business issues.”

Yesterday, the mayors visited the White House and heard a speech by Barack Obama, in addition to receiving a briefing by senior administration officials on Obama’s final year in office and resulting priorities.

Garcia arrived late Wednesday evening, and will fly back to Long Beach Friday night, “hopefully” before the expected blizzard arrives.