WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On January 20, 2022, Mayor Guerrero and 16 other mayors from across the United States were invited to attend a very special White House reception hosted by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The reception was to honor Latino Mayors in the United States. Martha said, “I was so humbled to have received such an invitation, but to be able to do so while representing the city of West Sacramento and my community was a very deep honor and incredible experience.”

Mayor Guerrero shared how the day began with the expected safety precautions as each attendee was administered a COVID-19 test specifically for that day’s guests invited to the White House. With each negative result another mayor was placed on a special guest list that would allow passage at the outside security gate in order to gain entrance into the White House.

Once inside each mayor would be escorted to the reception area to await the First Lady’s entrance and formal welcome. Mayor Guerrero shared how the long corridor leading to the reception area was lined with breathtaking photos of historic significance next to the bust of President Lincoln. As expected, the reception area itself was so very elegant and everyone’s excitement to be there, on behalf of their city, could be felt. 

The First Lady opened the event with the sentiment that for her and the President, the White House is the People’s House and thus her reasons for hosting such a special event. Before the evening would end, each mayor would have the opportunity to meet individually with the First Lady to talk about the city they represented. Mayor Guerrero added how they were each presented with a personalized gift bag which included chocolate chip cookies and White House shaped cookies specially decorated for each mayor’s city.

At the end of the event the First Lady arranged for a group photo to be taken. Shortly after they would be joined by the President of the United States, Joe Biden. He entered the room and introduced himself as “Jill’s husband”.  The President was just as welcoming and gracious as the First Lady and made everyone feel special as he put the spotlight on the Mayors, not himself or his wife. The President greeted and thanked each and every mayor for everything they do on behalf of their city.

Mayor Guerrero had the opportunity to meet with the President and thank him for his leadership in securing direct funding to cities like West Sacramento, eager to continue infrastructure related projects while also still in the process of recovering from a global pandemic. 

During the White House reception, in addition to her one on one with the First Lady, Mayor Guerrero met with several White House officials to further discuss the city’s priorities. Topics discussed included increased access to affordable broadband internet services, funding for key projects such as flood protection and building the new “I” Street Bridge in an effort to bolster and highlight the city’s profile. The Mayor worked to ensure our city’s needs continue to be addressed going forward.

Mayor Guerrero admitted that she ate the chocolate chip cookies (and that they were delicious), but she saved the White House cookies. The Mayor must have made a good impression… she has since gotten a call from the White House where they gave her contact information and encouraged her to let them know if “she needs anything”. Well done, Mayor! You make our city proud.

A short clip can be seen from social media posts from the President of the United States on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mguerrerowsac/status/1485025319551594497?s=10 and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZEQ60hjMU/?utm_medium=share_sheet