San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee is headed to Washington, D.C., for a busy week that will include a conference with other mayors from around the country, President Barack Obama’s inauguration and, of course, some time to watch the 49ers play in the NFC Championship.
Lee will be attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which runs from Thursday to Saturday. The conference will focus in part on gun control, an issue that Lee addressed in legislation he recently introduced to ban military-grade ammunition in the city.
Lee said he looks forward to talking with other mayors about possibly creating a regional approach to gun control.
Ammunition such as hollow-point bullets “has no purpose on our streets,” Lee said. “We know the trick is you can buy it in other counties and come right back, so we have to work with our whole region on it.”
Lee also plans to attend Monday’s inauguration ceremony for Obama’s second term as president and joked that he watched the movie “Lincoln” recently to get himself into the proper spirit.
Lee said the historical nature of Obama being the first black president is also “chilling for me, being the first Asian mayor of San Francisco.”
He said, “I’m a big supporter of President Obama and know he’s trying to do his very best.”
Between the conference and inauguration, Lee said he also plans on fitting in time to get in front of a TV to watch the 49ers play the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship on Sunday.
He said he is bringing his lucky red 49ers shirt for the trip and will wear his 49ers hat for all events at the conference of mayors.
“I think we’re on our way to the Super Bowl,” Lee said.
He has made a bet with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed that involves the losing city lighting up buildings in the colors of the winning team and sending over local delicacies.
Lee will come back to San Francisco on Tuesday and said that upon his return, he plans to announce his appointment to replace Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, who was elected to the state Assembly in November.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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