This - the leadership of the mayor is crucial, because it is to the mayor that people will look to provide the vision, the energy, and the sense of confidence in the rebuilding and the recovery.

He reached out to black-owned businesses encouraging them to apply for contracts. Based on his achievements in reducing crime and reforming the police department Morial easily won re-election to a second term in 1998 New Orleans Mayoral Election. Morial also secured bond issues for street improvements the Canal Street streetcar line and an expansion of the city’s convention center.

Morial served as mayor of New Orleans Louisiana from 1994 to 2002. He is married to Michelle Miller who has won awards as a CBS News Correspondent.