My Address to the Brookings Institution Board of Trustees

This week, I had the honor to address the Brookings Board of Trustees during their board meeting in Miami, where I discussed Miami's status as a global city, our strong connection to Latin America, and the challenge of investing in our cities.

Click HERE to read my remarks, as prepared.


-Manny

March is Bicycle Action Month in the City of Miami

I believe that together we can make Miami a city where residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe riding on bicycles. In the last year, with the assistance of residents like you, the invaluable and dedicated service of departments throughout the City of Miami and the Bicycle Action Committee, and the unanimous support of this Commission, the Bicycle Action Plan has become an important guide to planning the future growth of our city.

Today, the City has a Bicycle Coordinator, an internationally acclaimed event - the monthly Bike Miami Days, and a number of bicycle facility projects in the works. I am proud of the strides we have made to promote bicycling here in the City of Miami, but there is still a lot that we can do to help make this city more bicycle friendly.
With that in mind, and in recognition of the invaluable work of the Bicycle Action Committee, I have proclaimed March 2009 "Bicycle Action Month". I invite you to celebrate this important occasion by joining us in promoting cycling, whether for fitness, recreation or transportation.
For more information about bicycling in Miami, please visit http://www.bike-miami.com/.

I hope to see you in Downtown Miami on Saturday, March 14th for Bike Miami Days.

-Manny

Saturday was a Great Day to be Downtown

Bike Miami Days returned for its fourth monthly event in the heart of Miami this Saturday. Held in conjuncton with Flagler Fest and the Humane Society of Greater Miami's Walk for the Animals, this event really brought our community together for an incredible variety of free and family-friendly activities. I'd like to thank all of you who came out, introduced yourselves and shared with your me your thoughts. I hope you will all come out in March, when we celebrate the City of Miami's Bicycle Action Month with a special Bike Miami Days on Saturday, March 14th.

For more information, please visit www.Bike-Miami.com.

-Manny

Mayors Meet with President Obama

Today, I led a delegation of close 80 mayors who were invited for a meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden in Washington, as well as with members of his cabinet, Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and White House Senior Staff in Washington D.C.
As President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and mayor of one of the most amazing cities in the country, I was honored to be invited to this meeting with President Obama and his Cabinet to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the President’s plan for mortgage foreclosure relief.
It is refreshing and encouraging to see that we have an Administration who understands that cities are the economic engines of America and that mayors are in the front lines of the economic crisis, and are in touch with what needs to be done to stimulate our economy and get people back to work.

Click HERE to see President Obama’s and Vice President Biden’s remarks to the mayors.

Click HERE to view the Mayor's Press Conference in Washington D.C.

- Manny

Bike Miami Days Returns This Saturday February 21!

Join me tomorrow, February 21, for Bike Miami Days, this time in conjunction with Flagler Fest, on Saturday February 21, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. I will be holding a rally with city leaders and participants of Flagler Fest and Bike Miami Days at 10:30 am, at Lummus Landing, to promote bike and pedestrian-friendly streets.

Bike Miami Days is a great event to provide cyclists, skaters and walkers with an easy and fun way to explore the city. The event closes major thoroughfares of Downtown, Miami, so that bikers, skaters, and pedestrians can travel freely and safely. The first three Bike Miami Days have brought thousands of people to the heart of the city. This time we are joining with Flagler Fest, which will include an antique and historical festival in the heart of Downtown that features vintage automobiles on display for the Downtown Classic Car Show, historical tours of Flagler Street, and an Arts /Crafts & Collectibles market. The festival will be located on Flagler Street, from Biscayne Blvd. to the Miami-Dade Courthouse.

For a full list of activities, street closures, and the complete map for the event, please log on to www.bike-miami.com

- Manny

Miami Benefits from Economic Recovery Plan

Today, I had the opportunity to discuss how the American Recovery Reinvestment Act will help Miami and other cities around the country on CBS4.

You can watch the video online.

CLICK HERE

City Commission Special Meeting on the Stadium

This morning, I spoke before the City of Miami Commission in support of a long-negotiated plan to build a Major League Baseball Stadium and multi-purpose facilities on the site of the Orange Bowl.
You can read my prepared remarks here and watch the entire meeting from the City of Miami Channel 77 e-video website: http://videos.miamigov.com/.

Herald Endorses Marlins Stadium

Read The Miami Herald Editorial

Now is a good time to build a stadium

OUR OPINION: City, county commissions should approve new home for Marlins

NPR Interview and Story about Stimulus Plan

Today on NPR Morning Edition: "GOP Governor Helps Obama Push For Stimulus"

I'd like to share with you this story, which highlights the importance of the President's Stimulus Plan for the State of Florida, and Florida's cities, in particular. President Obama is in Ft. Myers today to discuss this plan and to highlight important components that were left out in the Senate version that passed yesterday evening.

I was interviewed for this segment, which you can read or listen to here.

-Manny

Go Heat!

This past Sunday, with the help of Office Depot, I had the privilege to treat 60 kids to a Miami Heat basketball game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Prior to the tip-off, the kids, who all participate in City of Miami after-school programs, also had the opportunity to watch the pre-game warm-up, meet some of the players and coach, and participate in the Miami Heat High-Five Club. It was a lot of fun, and a dream come true for local kids, many of whom had never been to a professional sports game.

Mayor Diaz Receives the 2009 Keystone Award from the American Architectural Foundation (AAF)

Last week I received the 2009 Keystone Award from the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) during the 20th Annual Accent on Architecture Gala in Washington, D.C. on February 6, 2009.

It was a personal honor to receive the award, which is presented annually by AAF to an organization or individual outside of the architectural profession for their leadership in demonstrating the power of architecture and design to improve lives and transform communities. I accepted this recognition on behalf of my City Commission, City employees and the people of Miami.

The award recognized our efforts to create a sustainable city, such as Miami 21, a comprehensive master plan for Miami based on new urbanism and smart growth principles, as well as the creation of the Office of Sustainable Initiatives which coordinates Miami’s environmental programs, and the launch of the city’s first Citywide Tree Master Plan, which aims at enhancing and restoring Miami’s tree canopy.

Please read my remarks given at the Gala HERE
Click HERE to learn more about the AAF

Mayor Diaz on C-SPAN

Watch Mayor Diaz and other Mayors from the U.S. Conference of Mayors on C-SPAN discussing the Economic Stimulus Package.

White House Press Conference

Washington Journal

Urging Senate to Pass Economic Stimulus Package

During the past two days, mayors from all over the country have congregated in our nation’s capital to urge the Senate to act quickly on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a plan that will create jobs, rebuild critical infrastructure, promote energy efficiency and independence, and improve America’s global competitiveness.
Yesterday, a delegation of more than 20 mayors members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, an organization that I preside, met with White House senior staff and later with to discuss the plan with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and leaders of the House. I also had private meetings with our Senator from Florida, Mel Martinez, and senior staff from Senator Bill Nelson’s office urging swift action.
This economic recovery plan is the best chance we have at creating the 3 to 4 million jobs our country needs right now. The mayors of America know this, which is why they joined me in contacting their Senators, and so far more than 160 mayors have signed on to a letter sent by the USCM urging Congress to act quickly.
We also reminded our Members of Congress that the quickest and most effective way to reverse the current economic downturn and get people back to work is to invest in our cities and metropolitan areas, where close to 90 % of the U.S. population lives. Mayors are at the front lines of this crisis, and we know exactly where we can put dollars to work. And we are ready to go.
During the next few days, the mayors of America urge Congress to keep the interest of the people they represent in mind, and act quickly. The American people cannot afford delay.

- Manny