Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak was one of 18 mayors to meet with President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder in Washington on Tuesday.

The White House said the meeting was on youth violence prevention. According to the White House:

The President reiterated that government alone can never fill the void that causes a child to turn to violence, but that we all have a responsibility to do our part to create safe communities and save lives. The President applauded the mayors for their local efforts to combat violence, solicited their input about proven methods, and pledged his Administration’s partnership. He also vowed to continue doing everything in his power to combat gun violence through executive action and to press Congress to pass common-sense reforms like expanding the background check system and cracking down on gun trafficking.

Obama hailed Minneapolis’ city gun violence prevention measures during a February speech in the city. Minneapolis has seen a steady reduction in violent crime among youth since launching a program focused on the problem in 2008.

Rybak, a supporter of Obama’s gun violence prevention proposals now stalled in Congress, was the only Minnesota mayor to attend Tuesday’s meeting.

Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com.