Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is the current mayor of Boston, Massachusetts.. A native of Boston, Menino served on the city council for several years before becoming mayor. On March 28, 2013 Mayor Menino announced that he is not running for re-election. On July 13, 2009, Menino became the longest-serving mayor in Boston history. According to Menino’s official biography, “Among his main priorities, are: providing every child with a quality education; creating affordable housing; lowering the crime rate; revitalizing Boston's neighborhoods; and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all city residents.” Menino was president of the United States Conference of Mayors from 2002 to 2003. The Lunchtime Lectures are co-sponsored by the Moses Greeley Parker Lectures and UMass Lowell Center for Arts and Ideas, with support from Prof. Bill Mass of the UMass Lowell Center for Industrial Competitiveness. Free and open to the public, the program begins at 11:45 a.m. with a light buffet lunch. Reservations are required (seating is limited). To reserve a seat, contact artsandideas@uml.edu OR CALL 978-934-3107