WASHINGTON—The nation’s governors will address a host of critical issues facing states and the nation as the National Governors Association (NGA) convenes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for its 101^st Annual Meeting. Hosted by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, the four-day meeting, held July 17–20, will highlight NGA Chair Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell’s yearlong initiative Strengthening Our Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future, which focuses on rebuilding, repairing and maintaining a national infrastructure system that supports America’s economic competitiveness, facilitates economic growth and is environmentally sustainable.

The official business sessions begin Saturday with an opening news conference in Gulfport. It will be followed by an opening plenary session dedicated to infrastructure, which will take place—along with all remaining business sessions—in Biloxi. Zhang Dawei, vice governor of Henan Provincial Government in China, will provide the keynote address on that country’s infrastructure investments. In addition, the session will include a discussion on freight transportation with Charles W. “Wick” Moorman, chairman, president and CEO of Norfolk Southern Corp., as well as a focus on infrastructure banks with Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro.

Later that afternoon, governors will participate in the first two meetings of NGA’s four standing committees. The Economic Development and Commerce Committee will examine the economic outlook for states. In a simultaneous session, the Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee will discuss how to accelerate education and training opportunities for a new economy.

Committee sessions will continue Sunday morning, when the Health and Human Services Committee will discuss health care reform. A concurrent session of the Natural Resources Committee will examine barriers to American energy independence and security.

Sunday afternoon, governors will hold a plenary session focused on emergency preparedness in the states, with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano delivering the keynote address. The session will also include a panel discussion with Gregory Q. Brown, CEO, Motorola; Jay S. Fishman, chairman and CEO, Travelers; and W. Craig Fugate, administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

On Monday, governors discuss energy and the economy during the closing plenary session with panelists Karen Harbert, president and CEO, Institute for 21^st Century Energy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Kathleen A. McGinty, founding partner, Peregrine Technology Partners, LLC; and Ira C. Magaziner, chairman, Clinton Foundation Climate Initiative and Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative. The meeting will conclude by welcoming incoming NGA Chair Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas and the incoming Vice Chair, who will be announced at the meeting. In addition, Gov. Douglas will unveil his chair’s initiative for 2009-2010.