July 21, 2018 –

Special speakers included U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, Children Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman and NFL Legend Eddie George; workshops focused on strengthening health systems, the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform and more

Nashville, Tennessee —

Bob Berkowitz, Del Norte County Supervisor, joined more than 3,000 county leaders July 13-16 in Nashville/Davidson County, Tenn. at the 83rd National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference and Exposition. Attendees adopted positions on pressing federal policies affecting counties and exchanged innovative solutions to challenges facing American communities.

Berkowitz said that this conference brought together counties from all over the nation to find solutions that face every one of the 3,069 counties.

NACo Immediate Past President Roy Charles Brooks unveiled NACo’s annual report recapping the year’s accomplishments, including several significant federal policy victories and his presidential initiative Serving the Underserved.

“Serving the Underserved has showcased counties’ critical role in breaking multi-generational cycles of poverty, especially by focusing on early childhood development and understanding the long-lasting impacts of adverse childhood experiences and trauma,” said Brooks. “We are creating new opportunities for our most vulnerable residents and advancing comprehensive solutions at the state and local levels.”

More than three dozen educational workshops and meetings explored topics including affordable housing, technology, reducing the number of mentally ill individuals in jails, the opioid epidemic, disaster preparedness and recovery and other topics important to counties across the country.

At the Achievement Awards Luncheon, Berkowitz was recognized for his leadership in organizing the “Daily Town Hall” meeting which puts supervisors in daily contact with constituents.

Berkowitz  participated in several workshops including those involved with federal lands, federal payments to counties and new proposed legislation for rural schools and counties.

Notable speakers included U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Founder and President of the Children’s Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman, representatives from the Trump Administration and National Football League (NFL) famed athlete and entrepreneur Eddie George.

Conference delegates discussed federal policy and legislation on a wide range of key topics like transportation and infrastructure; rural and urban development; energy; federal public lands and active forest management; public safety; emergency preparedness and response; housing and community development; health and other topics.