ON THE WORLD STAGE, GREENVILLE WAS NOT FORGOTTEN
by HEATHER MCTEER HUDSON - For the Delta Democrat Times
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:23 PM CDT

Tuesday, the Mississippi Delta became center stage for not only the entire state, but also the nation. After a long anticipated and awaited visit from a presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama came to the port city to show his concern for OUR folks. He could have stopped anywhere else in the state of Mississippi or the nation, but he chose to rest and have breakfast with us in Greenville, Miss. Many cities vied for the opportunity to host the next president of the United States, and many late night phone calls and hours of preparation went into organizing for his visit. In fact, without the tireless work of Congressman Bennie Thompson and Mr. Keevin Woods of the Obama team, none of this would have happened. Nevertheless, as the only candidate to venture west of Highway 55, Senator Obama showed the nation that we have not been forgotten and that our needs must not be ignored. Any candidate, Republican or Democrat, that has an y intention of serving as the next President of the United States of America must understand that in order to serve all of us, he must acknowledge and care for the least of us. Senator Obama understands this and proved it Tuesday morning.

I had the opportunity to speak with Sen. Obama and discuss the challenges we face in the city of Greenville. As we rode and talked about the economic disparities of our region; local job loss, lack of educational resources and healthcare frustrations, his resolve was clear and genuine. The Mississippi Delta would not be forgotten under his watch. As mayor of the major city in the Delta, those were words I've been waiting to hear for a long time. We both agreed that it is a shame for people to feel neglected and left out by the very government that is elected to support and provide opportunities for them. It was apparent throughout both our conversation in the car and during breakfast that Barack Obama's passion is to see all communities, re gardless of size or location, prosper and be given the fair opportunity to succeed. It was also apparent that he looks to work closely with local governments, community organizations and leaders to impact the people where they need help the most. Together with our current local congressional leadership, I feel assured that in 2009 there will be a team ready and able to impact change in the Mississippi Delta.

Senator Obama's visit wasn't about promoting a big rally or getting prime time TV media. It was simply about connecting with real people and listening to their concerns and letting them know that in the near future, they will have a president that is never distant but is always linked with the people. Never before has that been more evident than through the Senator's sincere efforts to bond with the people of Greenville. Despite security concerns, he took the time to speak, touch, connect, hug, kiss and listen to everyone he came in contact with. It was pure joy for me t o watch the excitement of people as they became part of his connection and expanding circle of hope and change. I saw expressions of faith in the future and belief that we can do better and be better because the very change that they've prayed and hoped for, visited them on their very own doorstep. That was the reason I asked that he not leave the State of Mississippi without a visit to the Delta. It was so he could see, firsthand, where the real needs and passion for change existed in the state of Mississippi. Though we don't know if or when Barak Obama will be back to the Mississippi Delta, we do know that we are not forgotten in his eyes and that we made a mark in history that cannot be forgotten.

Heather McTeer Hudson is mayor of Greenville.

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