Whereas the National League of Cities is the oldest and largest organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States, representing the interests of more than 19,000 cities, towns, and villages across the country and collectively more than 218,000,000 residents; Whereas the National League of Cities, originally named the American Municipal Association, was founded in 1924 in Lawrence, Kansas, by State municipal leagues seeking more coordination and national representation as cities, towns, and villages expanded rapidly following the Industrial Revolution; Whereas, today, the National League of Cities works in partnership with 49 State municipal leagues across the country to strengthen local leadership, drive innovation, and influence policies that impact local programs and operations; Whereas, as the voice in Washington that represents cities, towns, and villages across the United States, the National League of Cities has successfully championed Federal legislative solutions that support municipalities and has worked closely with Congress, educating Members of Congress on the realities of local implementation of proposed Federal legislation; Whereas the National League of Cities has a history of championing the passage of foundational Federal legislation and bolstering Congress' efforts to strengthen essential services that municipalities provide to their communities; Whereas the National League of Cities is proud that 21 percent of the membership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, or 115 elected Members of Congress, are former local elected officials; Whereas the National League of Cities supported the creation of the Former Local Elected Officials Caucus, which brings together Members of Congress who previously served in local government, to improve intergovernmental partnership and ensure that the voices of local governments are heard in Federal decision-making