Thursday, June 26, 2008
Serve To Preserve Summit
This morning I delivered the keynote address at the second annual Serve To Preserve Summit convened by Governor Crist to address climate change issues - here's what I said:
Good morning and welcome to Miami – it is an honor to host all of you here.
Let me start by thanking Governor Charlie Crist and his work on bringing us all together for this second Serve to Preserve Summit.
Of all issues, he has been a leading voice among governors on climate change - and has brought leaders from the entire world together to work on solutions.
When I say that our state has a partnership with a national government, not surprisingly, it is not ours, but those of the U.K. and Germany, it is Governor Crist who struck those partnerships
He has the courage to go against many in his party, to stand for what he believes in; to stand for what is right for the people of this great state.
And he deserves great credit…for bringing this Summit to Miami; a city that you will soon see is on the front line in the fight against climate change.
In fact, just this Monday, we finished hosting the nation’s mayors in this very hotel for the Annual Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors – thanks to the Home Depot Foundation, it was the first ever “green conference” – from the hotel, to CFLs, hybrid transportation, energy star appliances, recycled paper, minimal handouts, tap water and low flow showerheads, no styro-foam, recycled fabric shirts and bags, and many other measures, the entire conference had an environmental conscience.
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children…”
It is a saying from a great environmentalist – Chief Seattle – It is the principle that guides our actions as cities and mayors.
While federal government continues its endless debate on energy policy, and is mired in inaction, it has been the Mayors of this country that have taken this issue head on. In this greatest grassroots movement of our time, cities have taken the lead.
Mayors will not wait – because climate change will not wait for national policy decisions – we must act now.
Over 850 of us representing millions of Americans have now signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, in effect implementing the Kyoto Protocol in all our cities, pledging a 7% reduction in greenhouse gases from 1990 levels by 2012.
Now that we have a pledge, we needed to find ways to act.
Seattle for instance started a grassroots climate protection plan Climate Action Now, allowing all residents to tap into city resources, including giving away 1 million CFL bulbs reducing CO2 emissions by 20,000 tons.
Denver is building 119 miles of light rail and other transportation options, adding over 11,500 new transit trips, emitting 60,000 less tons of CO2 gas a year.
In Honolulu, people have lived in balance with the Earth for over 1,800 years. Now, they have a 21st Century Ahupua’a, a climate “umbrella” that marries traditional island respect for the environment with 21st century solutions.
Houston is now obtaining 50% of the City’s total power from renewables, the equivalent of removing 60,000 cars from the road, 300,000 tons of CO2.
Phoenix is converting all city buildings to green. San Francisco has started a Green Business Council. Austin and Chicago have balanced economic development with ecological sensibility.
New York has Plan NYC, a 127 step plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, including converting the famous New York taxis to hybrids, the equivalent to removing 39,000 cars from the streets.
And it’s not just big cities that are taking action.
Carmel, Indiana is replacing traffic signals with roundabouts, saving on average 24,000 gallons of gas per year.
In Chapel Hill, they have doubled the people riding mass transit by making it free.
Oakland Park, Illinois is powering its city fleet with B-5 fuel decreasing CO2 emissions by over 44,000 tons.
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the City celebrates Arbor Day by distributing 12,500 evergreen seedlings to every student, increasing the city’s tree canopy.
Now, we get to Miami.
Regrettably, this City has had an unfortunate past with its environment – lots of concrete, but not enough trees – our parks and waterways used as dumping grounds for toxic materials – the Miami River, Virginia Key and others ruined by a criminal disregard for nature and our environment.
One of the first things I did as mayor was launch an aggressive and ambitious environmental program to clean our parks, bays and waterways, and erase this past of neglect.
And although we made great progress, I knew all of this was not enough.
In Miami, we are especially susceptible to the effects of climate change. The same geographic location that gives us year round sunshine also places us in the midst of “Hurricane Alley.”
Most of Miami is on average only 6 feet above sea level.
And we are the only major U.S. city bordered by 2 national parks: Biscayne Bay on one side, the Everglades on the other.
Any change in global climate has the possibility of negatively affecting where we live, possibly flooding our city, and eroding our natural resources.
This is why we are responding through Mi Plan - our blueprint toward sustainability. Through this plan, municipal government is changing the way it does business, placing environmental consciousness into every decision we make.
We started the city’s first ever Office of Sustainable Initiatives.
We are converting our entire city fleet to fleet to hybrids or other fuel efficient vehicles by the year 2012.
3 years ago, I traded my City issued SUV for a hybrid, have doubled my fuel economy, cut my gas consumption in half, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 tons, and I have saved taxpayers twice the amount of fuel costs for just one car. Just imagine how these savings can exponentially multiply when the city fleet goes hybrid.
We have cleaned our streets, water and greenways leading us to become the cleanest city in America.
We have created a Green Procurement Ordinance so the City’s purchasing power is used to create a market for green and eco friendly products.
In a city where hurricanes and other forces have depleted our tree cover, canopy replacement is an issue of concern. We now have a tree master plan to increase the city wide tree canopy 30% by 2020. Our goal is to have 10,000 trees per year.
Already, we have planted over 5,000 trees and I am proud that for the first time ever, Miami has been named a Tree City USA.
We have also taken the ultimate step toward sustainability by increasing the density of our city and through our City design plan, Miami 21, because bringing people back to the urban core is the ultimate antidote to suburban sprawl.
Think about this, for the first time in history, over half of the world’s people now live in cities. And, given predictions that a large majority of the world’s future population will live in urban settings, with the United States currently having nearly 90% of its population in cities, the single most critical action we can take to help save our planet is to embrace smart growth, to design cities that make sense.
For far too long, cities have been planned around cars and not people. Government policies have invested in sprawl by encouraging the use of cars. Instead, we need government policies that make it less convenient to rely on the automobile.
The idea is to make the city pedestrian friendly by building and designing around people, offering them great shared spaces of civic pride, so they may work, live, and play all within walking distance.
We are home to the first LEED pre-certified green building in the state of Florida, the Brickell Financial Centre. Our new zoning ordinance will require all buildings over 50,000 square feet to be built green. And we are creating an expedited building permit process for green buildings.
Currently, there is over $2 billion worth of green construction taking place in the City of Miami. The message is simple, you either build green, or you don’t build at all.
We also have the first green single family affordable homes in the state not far from here, built in the inner city by a local developer.
Speaking of green buildings, Miami is the first major city in America to have a solar powered City Hall. The solar panels were installed through an innovative partnership between the City, Eco Media, and CBS television – where the City receives advertising revenue through Eco Media and CBS for environmental projects – best of all, it costs taxpayers absolutely nothing.
Just this past week, Les Moonves of CBS and Paul Polizotto of Eco Media were here with me in Miami to announce that this partnership that began here is now available nationwide through all CBS affiliates - Common sense Private/Public solutions.
All of these actions I have mentioned, here in Miami, and in other cities, have been taken in spite of strained municipal budgets – with cuts coming from all sides.
Cities traditionally never had a line item for green issues, but this problem is too big for us not to address.
Now, think about what more we could do if we had a partner in the federal government willing to help…
And this is the final thought I will leave you with.
When we all go to the polls this next November and choose the next President, we must demand that he work with mayors, and all of us to develop a common sense global climate action plan.
We need to demand this of both candidates because Mayors aren’t looking for partisan solutions, neither are the American people.
And we are tired of endless debate and inaction. We must act now.
The next president needs to understand that an investment in America’s cities, an investment in our sustainability, is an investment in America’s future.
Much in the same way our preceding generation came to be known as the “Greatest Generation,” we must come to be known as the “Greenest Generation.” So that we may in fact give our children a world greater, cleaner, and greener than the one left to us.
Good morning and welcome to Miami – it is an honor to host all of you here.
Let me start by thanking Governor Charlie Crist and his work on bringing us all together for this second Serve to Preserve Summit.
Of all issues, he has been a leading voice among governors on climate change - and has brought leaders from the entire world together to work on solutions.
When I say that our state has a partnership with a national government, not surprisingly, it is not ours, but those of the U.K. and Germany, it is Governor Crist who struck those partnerships
He has the courage to go against many in his party, to stand for what he believes in; to stand for what is right for the people of this great state.
And he deserves great credit…for bringing this Summit to Miami; a city that you will soon see is on the front line in the fight against climate change.
In fact, just this Monday, we finished hosting the nation’s mayors in this very hotel for the Annual Meeting of the US Conference of Mayors – thanks to the Home Depot Foundation, it was the first ever “green conference” – from the hotel, to CFLs, hybrid transportation, energy star appliances, recycled paper, minimal handouts, tap water and low flow showerheads, no styro-foam, recycled fabric shirts and bags, and many other measures, the entire conference had an environmental conscience.
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children…”
It is a saying from a great environmentalist – Chief Seattle – It is the principle that guides our actions as cities and mayors.
While federal government continues its endless debate on energy policy, and is mired in inaction, it has been the Mayors of this country that have taken this issue head on. In this greatest grassroots movement of our time, cities have taken the lead.
Mayors will not wait – because climate change will not wait for national policy decisions – we must act now.
Over 850 of us representing millions of Americans have now signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, in effect implementing the Kyoto Protocol in all our cities, pledging a 7% reduction in greenhouse gases from 1990 levels by 2012.
Now that we have a pledge, we needed to find ways to act.
Seattle for instance started a grassroots climate protection plan Climate Action Now, allowing all residents to tap into city resources, including giving away 1 million CFL bulbs reducing CO2 emissions by 20,000 tons.
Denver is building 119 miles of light rail and other transportation options, adding over 11,500 new transit trips, emitting 60,000 less tons of CO2 gas a year.
In Honolulu, people have lived in balance with the Earth for over 1,800 years. Now, they have a 21st Century Ahupua’a, a climate “umbrella” that marries traditional island respect for the environment with 21st century solutions.
Houston is now obtaining 50% of the City’s total power from renewables, the equivalent of removing 60,000 cars from the road, 300,000 tons of CO2.
Phoenix is converting all city buildings to green. San Francisco has started a Green Business Council. Austin and Chicago have balanced economic development with ecological sensibility.
New York has Plan NYC, a 127 step plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, including converting the famous New York taxis to hybrids, the equivalent to removing 39,000 cars from the streets.
And it’s not just big cities that are taking action.
Carmel, Indiana is replacing traffic signals with roundabouts, saving on average 24,000 gallons of gas per year.
In Chapel Hill, they have doubled the people riding mass transit by making it free.
Oakland Park, Illinois is powering its city fleet with B-5 fuel decreasing CO2 emissions by over 44,000 tons.
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the City celebrates Arbor Day by distributing 12,500 evergreen seedlings to every student, increasing the city’s tree canopy.
Now, we get to Miami.
Regrettably, this City has had an unfortunate past with its environment – lots of concrete, but not enough trees – our parks and waterways used as dumping grounds for toxic materials – the Miami River, Virginia Key and others ruined by a criminal disregard for nature and our environment.
One of the first things I did as mayor was launch an aggressive and ambitious environmental program to clean our parks, bays and waterways, and erase this past of neglect.
And although we made great progress, I knew all of this was not enough.
In Miami, we are especially susceptible to the effects of climate change. The same geographic location that gives us year round sunshine also places us in the midst of “Hurricane Alley.”
Most of Miami is on average only 6 feet above sea level.
And we are the only major U.S. city bordered by 2 national parks: Biscayne Bay on one side, the Everglades on the other.
Any change in global climate has the possibility of negatively affecting where we live, possibly flooding our city, and eroding our natural resources.
This is why we are responding through Mi Plan - our blueprint toward sustainability. Through this plan, municipal government is changing the way it does business, placing environmental consciousness into every decision we make.
We started the city’s first ever Office of Sustainable Initiatives.
We are converting our entire city fleet to fleet to hybrids or other fuel efficient vehicles by the year 2012.
3 years ago, I traded my City issued SUV for a hybrid, have doubled my fuel economy, cut my gas consumption in half, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 tons, and I have saved taxpayers twice the amount of fuel costs for just one car. Just imagine how these savings can exponentially multiply when the city fleet goes hybrid.
We have cleaned our streets, water and greenways leading us to become the cleanest city in America.
We have created a Green Procurement Ordinance so the City’s purchasing power is used to create a market for green and eco friendly products.
In a city where hurricanes and other forces have depleted our tree cover, canopy replacement is an issue of concern. We now have a tree master plan to increase the city wide tree canopy 30% by 2020. Our goal is to have 10,000 trees per year.
Already, we have planted over 5,000 trees and I am proud that for the first time ever, Miami has been named a Tree City USA.
We have also taken the ultimate step toward sustainability by increasing the density of our city and through our City design plan, Miami 21, because bringing people back to the urban core is the ultimate antidote to suburban sprawl.
Think about this, for the first time in history, over half of the world’s people now live in cities. And, given predictions that a large majority of the world’s future population will live in urban settings, with the United States currently having nearly 90% of its population in cities, the single most critical action we can take to help save our planet is to embrace smart growth, to design cities that make sense.
For far too long, cities have been planned around cars and not people. Government policies have invested in sprawl by encouraging the use of cars. Instead, we need government policies that make it less convenient to rely on the automobile.
The idea is to make the city pedestrian friendly by building and designing around people, offering them great shared spaces of civic pride, so they may work, live, and play all within walking distance.
We are home to the first LEED pre-certified green building in the state of Florida, the Brickell Financial Centre. Our new zoning ordinance will require all buildings over 50,000 square feet to be built green. And we are creating an expedited building permit process for green buildings.
Currently, there is over $2 billion worth of green construction taking place in the City of Miami. The message is simple, you either build green, or you don’t build at all.
We also have the first green single family affordable homes in the state not far from here, built in the inner city by a local developer.
Speaking of green buildings, Miami is the first major city in America to have a solar powered City Hall. The solar panels were installed through an innovative partnership between the City, Eco Media, and CBS television – where the City receives advertising revenue through Eco Media and CBS for environmental projects – best of all, it costs taxpayers absolutely nothing.
Just this past week, Les Moonves of CBS and Paul Polizotto of Eco Media were here with me in Miami to announce that this partnership that began here is now available nationwide through all CBS affiliates - Common sense Private/Public solutions.
All of these actions I have mentioned, here in Miami, and in other cities, have been taken in spite of strained municipal budgets – with cuts coming from all sides.
Cities traditionally never had a line item for green issues, but this problem is too big for us not to address.
Now, think about what more we could do if we had a partner in the federal government willing to help…
And this is the final thought I will leave you with.
When we all go to the polls this next November and choose the next President, we must demand that he work with mayors, and all of us to develop a common sense global climate action plan.
We need to demand this of both candidates because Mayors aren’t looking for partisan solutions, neither are the American people.
And we are tired of endless debate and inaction. We must act now.
The next president needs to understand that an investment in America’s cities, an investment in our sustainability, is an investment in America’s future.
Much in the same way our preceding generation came to be known as the “Greatest Generation,” we must come to be known as the “Greenest Generation.” So that we may in fact give our children a world greater, cleaner, and greener than the one left to us.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
USCM PRESIDENT
This past Monday I was installed as the 66th president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors - I am deeply humbled and honored by having my fellow mayors from throughout the U.S. place their confidence in me as their leader. Below is my address to the members of the Conference as I accepted the presidency:THANK YOU - IT HAS TRULY BEEN AN HONOR TO HOST ALL OF YOU IN MY HOME TOWN - I HOPE WE MADE YOU FEEL AT HOME.
LET ME BEGIN BY RECOGNIZING THE DEBT OF GRATITUDE WE OWE TO A MAYOR AMONG MAYORS, DOUG PALMER. DOUG TOOK OVER THIS ORGANIZATION AT A DIFFICULT MOMENT, AFTER THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF ANOTHER GREAT FRIEND, MAYOR MIKE GUIDO.
DOUG, YOUR PRESIDENCY NOT ONLY SHOWED WHAT AN AMAZING LEADER YOU ARE, BUT IT HONORS THE LEGACY OF MAYOR GUIDO, THE DEARBORN ACCORD, AND SETS UP A TOUGH ACT FOR ME TO FOLLOW - YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND MY BROTHER, MAYOR DOUG PALMER.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK SEVERAL PAST PRESIDENTS: MAYORS DALEY, WEBB, RILEY, ABRAMSON, O’NEILL, GARNER -- YOU ARE MY MENTORS, MY INSPIRATION, AND WITHOUT YOU, I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE TODAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR FUTURE PRESIDENTS, MAYOR NICKELS AND MAYOR KAUTZ, - OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TOM COCHRAN, AND THE USCM STAFF.
I AM ESPECIALLY HUMBLED TO SHARE OUR CITY WITH ALL OF YOU, A CITY BUILT ON THE ASPIRATIONS AND DREAMS OF SO MANY WHO HAVE COME TO AMERICA SEARCHING FOR FREEDOM.....SEARCHING FOR A BETTER LIFE.
IT IS WHAT THIS COUNTRY GAVE MY FAMILY, AND WHAT IT GAVE ME.
I CAME TO THE UNITED STATES WHEN I WAS 6 YEARS OLD, ON A FREEDOM FLIGHT, SITTING ON MY MOTHER’S LAP, FLEEING A PLACE WHERE THE GOVERNMENT DENIES ITS PEOPLE THE FREEDOMS AND OPPORTUNITIES WE CHERISH.
WE SAW THIS COUNTRY AS SO MANY OTHERS STILL DO, AS A BEACON OF HOPE, A LAND OF BOUNDLESS OPPORTUNITY.
MY MOM AND DAD WORKED TWO AND THREE JOBS AT ANY ONE TIME-
THEY CLEANED TOILETS, PARKED CARS, WASHED DISHES AND WORKED IN FACTORIES - AND YET, THERE WAS NEVER ANY DESPAIR - THEY KNEW THAT IF YOU WORK HARD, YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN A BETTER LIFE.
WE LIVED IN A CLEAN, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD. I WENT TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL AND ENJOYED AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
THANKS TO THE FEDERAL CETA PROGRAM, I WORKED AS A SCHOOL JANITOR MAKING $1.10 AN HOUR TO HELP MY PARENTS MAKE ENDS MEET–
STUDENT LOANS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO ATTEND COLLEGE AND LAW SCHOOL.
AT EVERY TURN OF MY LIFE, ESPECIALLY IN MY YOUTH, I BENEFITTED FROM A PARTNERSHIP – BECAUSE GOVERNMENT INVESTED IN ME, I CAN NOW GIVE BACK, AS MAYOR OF THIS CITY, AS PRESIDENT OF THIS ORGANIZATION.
NOT LONG AGO, I SPOKE AT A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY. I COULD NOT HELP BUT REMEMBER THE DAY THAT I RAISED MY RIGHT HAND TO SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO THIS GREAT NATION.
AS I LOOKED OUT AT THE CROWD OF OVER 3,000, FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD, FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE, ALL EAGER TO JOIN THE GREAT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY,
I ASKED MYSELF, DO THEY SEE THE SAME THINGS IN AMERICA THAT I SAW ALL THOSE YEARS AGO?
IS THIS COUNTRY STILL WILLING TO PROVIDE THE TOOLS NEEDED FOR ADVANCEMENT?
IS AMERICA STILL WILLING TO INVEST IN ITS PEOPLE?
DOES A SIX YEAR OLD CHILD TODAY HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY THAT I DID, OR THAT ANY OF US DID?
THIS IS A TIME WHEN WASHINGTON HAS LOST ITS VALUES, LOST ITS PRINCIPLES – LOST ITS SENSE OF PURPOSE –
THEY NO LONGER INVEST IN OUR CITIES, THEY NO LONGER INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE.
PLAIN AND SIMPLE, THEY HAVE ABANDONED US – THEY ENGAGE IN ENDLESS DEBATE AND PARTISAN BICKERING...,WHILE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY SUFFER.
WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW ORLEANS, IN MINNEAPOLIS, IN DES MOINES – BUT LET’S LOOK DEEPER:
OVER 60% OF AMERICA’S CHILDREN DO NOT READ OR PERFORM MATH AT GRADE LEVEL, THE NUMBER IS HIGHER FOR MINORITIES.
IN OUR LARGEST CITIES, OVER 50% OF CHILDREN DON’T MAKE IT PAST HIGH SCHOOL.
IS EDUCATION A LOCAL PROBLEM? OR AN AMERICAN PROBLEM?
1 IN EVERY 6 CHILDREN LIVES IN POVERTY, WITH NEARLY HALF LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY – THE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER FOR MINORITIES.
IF YOU ARE A YOUNG BLACK BOY, YOU HAVE A 1 IN 3 CHANCE OF GOING TO JAIL, 1 IN 4 IF YOU ARE LATINO -
CLOSE TO 10 MILLION CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE, PART OF 47 MILLION IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE UNINSURED.
ARE POVERTY AND HEALTH A LOCAL PROBLEM? OR AN AMERICAN PROBLEM?
MANY MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS ARE ONE PAYCHECK..., ONE SICKNESS AWAY FROM ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE.
35 MILLION AMERICANS GO HUNGRY, INCLUDING NEARLY 13 MILLION CHILDREN.
IS HUNGER A LOCAL PROBLEM? OR IS IT AN AMERICAN PROBLEM?
AMERICANS ARE BEING PRICED OUT OF HOME-OWNERSHIP OR LOSING THEIR HOMES AT ALARMING RATES – AND THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS IS STILL AT UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS.
ARE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS A LOCAL PROBLEM? OR AN AMERICAN PROBLEM?
WE SEE VIOLENCE INCREASE IN OUR CITIES, AND THERE ARE MORE GANG MEMBERS TODAY THAN THERE ARE POLICE OFFICERS.
YOUTH VIOLENCE ACCOUNTS FOR 20% OF ALL VIOLENCE AND IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG OUR YOUTH......AND WE HAVE THE HIGHEST INCARCERATION RATE IN THE WORLD.
IS CRIME A LOCAL PROBLEM? OR IS IT AN AMERICAN PROBLEM?
GASOLINE IS NOW OVER $4 A GALLON - RISING FOOD PRICES, RISING MEDICAL COSTS – HITTING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US IN THE WALLET.
IS OUR ECONOMY A LOCAL PROBLEM? OR IS IT AN AMERICAN PROBLEM?
MAYORS - THESE ARE NOT JUST LOCAL PROBLEMS, THESE ARE NOT JUST REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT PROBLEMS, THESE ARE AMERICA’S PROBLEMS.
AND YET, WHERE IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? CUTS TO CDBG, CUTS TO HOUSING, CUTS TO COPS, CUTS IN EDUCATION, JOB TRAINING, ARTS, INFRASTRUCTURE – GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN OUR CITIES AND OUR PEOPLE........ ALL CUT.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY, WE ARE IN REAL DANGER OF FAILING TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN A BETTER WORLD THAN THE ONE OUR PARENTS LEFT US.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY, WE ARE IN DANGER OF RAISING A FORGOTTEN GENERATION.
SOLUTIONS ARE NOT COMING FROM WASHINGTON. SOLUTIONS ARE COMING FROM OUR CITIES......
BECAUSE CITIES ARE NOT THE PROBLEM, CITIES ARE THE SOLUTION.
WE ARE THE ONES THAT DRIVE THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.
WE ARE THE ONES THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO PEOPLE THE MOST.
WE ARE THE ONES THAT PROVIDE THE FRONT LINE, THE LAST HOPE.........
THAT IN CITIES............ NOT ALL IS LOST.
THIS IS WHAT THIS ORGANIZATION STANDS FOR. THIS IS WHAT ALL OF US STAND FOR.
WHEN FACED WITH INACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, IT WAS MAYOR NICKELS WHO INSPIRED OVER 850 OF US TO IMPLEMENT THE KYOTO PROTOCOL.
MAYORS LIKE RICH DALEY AND WILL WYNN ARE SHOWING THE NATION THAT YOU CAN HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIENCE.
WHEN ILLEGAL GUNS AND ASSAULT WEAPONS FLOODED CITY STREETS, MAYORS BLOOMBERG AND MENINO RAISED THEIR VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE IN OUR CITIES.
FACED WITH CUTS TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE, MAYORS LIKE ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA TOOK POVERTY REDUCTION HEAD ON.
WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLAIMS TO LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND......WE KNOW BETTER, WHICH IS WHY MAYORS LIKE MIKE COLEMAN AND SHIRLEY FRANKLIN’S EDUCATION POLICIES TRULY PUT CHILDREN FIRST.
WHILE CONGRESS GIVES US MULTI MILLION DOLLAR BRIDGES TO NOWHERE.... MAYORS LIKE JOHN HICKENLOOPER ARE BRINGING COMMON SENSE TO INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND, WHEN OUR CITIES BREAK BECAUSE OF FEDERAL NEGLECT, IT IS MAYORS LIKE R.T. RYBACK AND FRANK COWNIE WHO HEAL THEIR CITY’S GRIEVING SOUL.
EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US - WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT OF FIRST RESORT -
BUT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE THE GOVERNMENT OF LAST RESORT.
SO IT IS THAT AMERICA FACES A MOMENT OF CHOICE.
IN NOVEMBER, WE WILL GO TO THE POLLS TO ELECT OUR NEXT PRESIDENT – WE DEMAND, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE MUST DEMAND AN ACCOUNTABLE FEDERAL PARTNER.
WE ARE PREPARED TO SIT DOWN AND WORK WITH SENATOR OBAMA. WE ARE PREPARED TO SIT DOWN AND WORK WITH SENATOR MCCAIN -
WE ARE PREPARED TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR TEN POINT PLAN – FOR THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT OUR PEOPLE, FOR THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT AMERICA.
AND WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW THE OPPORTUNITIES THIS COUNTRY STILL HOLDS, THE PROMISE IT STANDS FOR.
WE ARE THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT INSPIRES A DREAM.
IT WAS A PHRASE COINED IN THE EARLY PART OF THE LAST CENTURY DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION–
“ A DREAM OF A LAND IN WHICH LIFE SHOULD BE BETTER AND RICHER AND FULLER FOR EVERYONE, WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.”
MAYORS HAVE NEVER LOST SIGHT OF THAT.
AND IT DOES NOT MATTER IF WE ARE DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, OR INDEPENDENTS........WE ARE ALL MAYORS FIRST.
THIS IS A DEFINING MOMENT FOR OUR COUNTRY –
WE ALL HAVE A GREAT DUTY - TO MAKE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT UNDERSTAND THAT AN INVESTMENT IN AMERICA’S CITIES IS AN INVESTMENT IN AMERICA’S FUTURE-
THAT HE SHOULD BE MAYOR OF THE UNITED STATES.
WORLD POWERS COMPETE FOR ECONOMIC STRENGTH. CHINA, RUSSIA, INDIA, BRAZIL, AND MANY OTHERS WHO ARE GAINING BY INVESTING IN THEIR PEOPLE, INVESTING IN THEIR CITIES, INVESTING IN THEIR NATIONS.
IF WE FAIL TO DO THE SAME, WE KNOW FROM HISTORY, THAT AMERICA WILL NO LONGER BE COMPETITIVE, THAT THE WORLD WILL PASS US BY.
IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER WE SHOULD INVEST - IT IS OUR MANDATE- IT IS WHY WE EXIST - IT IS OUR MOST SOLEMN DUTY AS A NATION -
TO LEAVE CITIES WHERE POVERTY IS NOT A LIFELONG SENTENCE, BUT A TEMPORARY CONDITION TO BE OVERCOME –
TO LEAVE CITIES THAT COMBINE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY –
TO LEAVE CITIES WHERE OUR CHILDREN CAN RECEIVE THE BEST EDUCATION, AFFORD A HOME, HOLD A GOOD PAYING JOB, HAVE ACCESS TO THE ARTS AND LIVE IN CITIES THAT WORK–
TO LEAVE CITIES WHERE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE PROMISES OF THE DREAM -
I AM HUMBLED TO BE YOUR PRESIDENT, TO LEAD THE WAY........... AND I ASK YOU........... I NEED YOU....TO JOIN ME IN THIS CHALLENGE –
TO FULFILL THIS DUTY –
TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN OUR CITIES,
TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
SO THAT A 6 YEAR OLD IN AMERICA TODAY....MAY INHERIT A CITY....... AND GROW UP IN A COUNTRY........ BETTER THAN THE ONE LEFT TO US.
THANK YOU, GOD BLESS¼
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mayors Hemispheric Forum
It's started! This is the third hemispheric forum where we gather US mayors with our counterparts from the region.
When we first conceived this idea in 2006, it was to bring together local leaders from throughout this hemisphere, connecting over the issues that face us all, on the theory that what affects us here in miami is not much different than what affects people in Quito, Toronto, Lima, Santo Domingo, or anywhere else.
We have found that mayors all have the same challenges, and that we all speak the same language.
In the next few days we will see how similar we really are and that truly it matters not where we come from, but that we all want what it best for our cities, and what is best for our people.
We have found that mayors all have the same challenges, and that we all speak the same language.
In the next few days we will see how similar we really are and that truly it matters not where we come from, but that we all want what it best for our cities, and what is best for our people.
Miami / Eco Media / CBS Partnership Goes Nationwide
Mayors from throughout the country are leading the way toward reducing the impact of global climate change. To date, over 850 of us have signed on to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement pledging to implement the Kyoto Protocol in our cities.
And yet, while the mayors move forward, the federal government still drags its feet on this issue, especially in the area of providing funding for green issues. Mayors are working, but funding is limited. This is where Eco Media and CBS come in.
Through a partnership with the City, Eco Media and CBS generate ad revenues that go to the city for green projects - including the first major city to use solar power in its city hall. Best of all, these projects come at no cost to the taxpayer.
And now, we have announced this model that started in Miami is available to my colleagues nationwide - every mayor can take advantage of this great partnership, making our planet a better place to live.
And yet, while the mayors move forward, the federal government still drags its feet on this issue, especially in the area of providing funding for green issues. Mayors are working, but funding is limited. This is where Eco Media and CBS come in.
Through a partnership with the City, Eco Media and CBS generate ad revenues that go to the city for green projects - including the first major city to use solar power in its city hall. Best of all, these projects come at no cost to the taxpayer.
And now, we have announced this model that started in Miami is available to my colleagues nationwide - every mayor can take advantage of this great partnership, making our planet a better place to live.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
I just came back from the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind where, through a cooperative effort with DuPont, we have installed a hurricane "shelter in place" for its residents.
As we have learned in the past 12 months, anyone in Miami, and in the country for that fact, can be whatever they want be with a little hard work. Our friends to the north in New York just recently swore in the first blind governor of New York, Governor Paterson. However, a little known fact is the first blind governor in the country was from Arkansas, Gov Riley. He was a two term Lt Gov and a war hero during WWII where he lost his sight in battle.
As we Miamians know well, June is the beginning of Hurricane season and while we hope and pray that it will be an uneventful one, we know that we must be prepared. In fact this year we have already seen one of the worst years in history for tornados as they have ravaged the plain states, the south and even the mid Atlantic region. And the experts have predicted that it will be a very heavy hurricane season.Therefore, this is the time of year for the citizens of Miami to think about severe storm preparedness.
The city is already taking steps to prepare, but Miami has always been a leading city in implementing the best storm protection practices. Since Hurricane Andrew, Miami has lead the way in developing the most innovative options for protecting its citizens. Storm protection building codes that were only found in Miami a decade ago are now being used in almost every state from Rhode Island to Texas.And while we hope to always have the proper notice and time to evacuate all their citizens, sometimes there is just not enough time or some at-risk populations cannot evacuate because of their unique situation.
Shelters are an important aspect of Miami's plan to protect its residents.Where DuPont is leading the way in innovation is through a new concept -- shelter in place. This can only be recommended when there is the proper technology and we have that here with the DuPont StormRoom. This donation of the DuPont StormRoom made with Kevlar will offer the folks at Lighthouse a "safe haven" in case there is any need for a severe storm shelter. The same Kevlar technology used to protect our police with bullet resistant vests, now can be used to protect the rest of Miami's citizens at Miami Lighthouse or in-home shelters.
As we have learned in the past 12 months, anyone in Miami, and in the country for that fact, can be whatever they want be with a little hard work. Our friends to the north in New York just recently swore in the first blind governor of New York, Governor Paterson. However, a little known fact is the first blind governor in the country was from Arkansas, Gov Riley. He was a two term Lt Gov and a war hero during WWII where he lost his sight in battle.
As we Miamians know well, June is the beginning of Hurricane season and while we hope and pray that it will be an uneventful one, we know that we must be prepared. In fact this year we have already seen one of the worst years in history for tornados as they have ravaged the plain states, the south and even the mid Atlantic region. And the experts have predicted that it will be a very heavy hurricane season.Therefore, this is the time of year for the citizens of Miami to think about severe storm preparedness.
The city is already taking steps to prepare, but Miami has always been a leading city in implementing the best storm protection practices. Since Hurricane Andrew, Miami has lead the way in developing the most innovative options for protecting its citizens. Storm protection building codes that were only found in Miami a decade ago are now being used in almost every state from Rhode Island to Texas.And while we hope to always have the proper notice and time to evacuate all their citizens, sometimes there is just not enough time or some at-risk populations cannot evacuate because of their unique situation.
Shelters are an important aspect of Miami's plan to protect its residents.Where DuPont is leading the way in innovation is through a new concept -- shelter in place. This can only be recommended when there is the proper technology and we have that here with the DuPont StormRoom. This donation of the DuPont StormRoom made with Kevlar will offer the folks at Lighthouse a "safe haven" in case there is any need for a severe storm shelter. The same Kevlar technology used to protect our police with bullet resistant vests, now can be used to protect the rest of Miami's citizens at Miami Lighthouse or in-home shelters.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Celebrating World Environment Day
Today we are celebrating World Environment Day with the launch of the Together Campaign.
In April, we became the second American city to join the international nonprofit organization, The Climate Group to take part in the global campaign to help people reduce their impact on the planet.
The Together Campaign is being launched today in New York City with partners including the City of Miami, Chase, The National Wildlife Federation, RecycleBank, ICLEI-Local Government for Sustainability and others.
In recognition of World Environment Day, let me remind you that it is easy to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions with the 10 Steps, 10 Tons educational campaign. For more information, please visit http://www.miamigov.com/msi/pages/Recycling/10Tons.pdf -
In April, we became the second American city to join the international nonprofit organization, The Climate Group to take part in the global campaign to help people reduce their impact on the planet.
The Together Campaign is being launched today in New York City with partners including the City of Miami, Chase, The National Wildlife Federation, RecycleBank, ICLEI-Local Government for Sustainability and others.
In recognition of World Environment Day, let me remind you that it is easy to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions with the 10 Steps, 10 Tons educational campaign. For more information, please visit http://www.miamigov.com/msi/pages/Recycling/10Tons.pdf -
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