In an effort to promote economic development in Honolulu and court favor for local infrastructure projects with federal lawmakers, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann is traveling to Washington, D.C., today to meet with key members of Congress.

At the invitation of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Hannemann will join conference President and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and others for a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Monday to release the conference's second phase of ready-to-go infrastructure improvements in its "Main Street Economic Recovery" plan.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors plan calls for investing in public transportation, roads, environmentally sustainable "green jobs," school modernization and economic development. The initial report, announced last month, included 4,600 one-year projects in 153 cities, worth $25 billion.

For Honolulu, the first package includes 28 housing, public safety, transportation and sewer projects, which would provide 2,900 jobs and cost $456 million.

The package to be announced Monday will include about 15 additional projects for Honolulu that would take two years to complete and be worth approximately $50 million, according to the city. What two-year infrastructure projects will be included in the package is still being considered by city officials.

"I'm trying to take advantage of every opportunity to lobby Congress and the new administration (on Hawai'i's behalf). This is about economic stimulus ... this is about economic recovery," Hannemann said. "We are continuing our organization's efforts with President-elect Obama and his team. I really like what (Obama) wants to do."

The mayors will then meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other congressional leaders to discuss city infrastructure needs and President-elect Barack Obama's national economic recovery plan.

On Tuesday Hannemann will travel to Chicago, where he will join Daley to announce a new public-private effort to support Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to the city.

The games are expected to enhance the nation's international image and boost its travel industry by filling 40,000 hotel rooms and drawing world attention to Chicago and other U.S. cities, according to a news release.

"Holding the Olympics in Chicago will draw thousands of new visitors to the U.S. and draw worldwide attention that will inspire other travelers," said Hannemann, who serves as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports. "We believe many of these guests will visit other U.S. cities, including Honolulu, in conjunction with their Olympic travel and that the games will create new interest in travel to the U.S."

Chicago is one of four finalist cities bidding to host the Summer 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The other cities are Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. The International Olympic Committee will announce the final selection in October 2009.

Hannemann will return to Honolulu on Wednesday.