My Address to the U.S. Conference of Mayors

Today I addressed close to 300 of my fellow mayors during the 77th Annual Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors. The economic crisis and ways to come up with solutions to address the situation are foremost in all of our minds.
A year ago in the USCM annual meeting in Miami, mayors were the first to sound the alarm about this crisis. We saw that we were headed down a path towards economic disaster before any presidential candidate figured it out. We were first to call attention to the need to invest in our cities and our people.
Mayors were the first to connect these investments to the creation of millions of jobs, and described these investments as the best economic stimulus plan our nation could ever have.
These are the investments called for in our 10 Point Plan. They formed the Action Agendas developed during our five forums, the largest federal investment in our people in the history of our country. This is a defining moment in our history and in the history of this organization. The mayors’ agenda is now America’s agenda.
The USCM also faces an unprecedented situation now, a boycott of our annual meeting by the Obama Administration. This boycott is a terrible mistake. Today, when we are in the midst of the most serious economic crisis since the great depression, the importance of our partnership is more important than ever.

CLICK HERE to watch a video and read a transcript of my speech.

- Manny

Miami's Environmental Programs Featured in Video

Today, I write to you from Providence, Rhode Island, where the nation’s mayors are convening for the 77th Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Throughout this weekend, we will be addressing America’s greatest challenges, including the need to promote effective, innovative environmental programs.
As a partner in the flagship EcoZone program, Miami became the first U.S. city to power City Hall with onsite solar panels – all at no cost to the taxpayer. Successful public-private partnerships like this can serve as model for other cities looking to reduce their carbon footprints. I would like to thank EcoMedia for supporting a Greener Miami and for a compelling video they recently completed about Miami's environmental programs. You can watch the full video here.

I will continue to blog from Providence. You can also follow me on twitter by clicking here.

-Manny

Healthcare Reform Is Imperative

Today a bipartisan group of city, county, and state officials joined together with community leaders at the Borinquen Health Care Center in Miami to bring everyone's attention to a very critical issue that we are battling on a daily basis- rising health care costs. In Miami-Dade, more than 600,000 residents do not have Health Insurance, and more than 120,000 of them are children. These numbers are simply unacceptable.
Lack of Health Insurance disproportionately affects minority populations. In Miami-Dade, 30% of Hispanics, 25% of Blacks, and 39% of people of other ethnicities lack Health Insurance. The Health Disparities Report released today by the White House, racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations experience serious disparities in rates of insurance and access to health care.
Miami is in particular need of Healthcare reform. According to the Millman Index he average total medical costs for a family of four rose 7.4% in the past year to $16,771. Miami has the highest health care costs in the entire country, with an average of $20,280. More than 40% of that came out of the pockets of Miamians. Exploding Healthcare costs have created a troubling burden for local businesses and government. In just the past seven years, premiums in Florida have increased by an unbelievable 72%.
Every day, more and more Miami residents are forced into bankruptcy and foreclosure because their health fails or because of an accident. And the longer we wait the worse it will get. The more people lose their healthcare coverage, the more costs will increase, along with the drag on our City’s economy. The time for action and reform is now- we can no longer sit by and watch as rising Healthcare costs cripple our economy and endanger our citizens.

- Manny

Honored to be Named as Member of Homeland Security Advisory Council

I am honored to have been named by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), which provides recommendations and advice directly to the Secretary on matters related to homeland security.
It is a privilege to serve the Secretary, the Administration and the American people as part of the Homeland Security Advisory Council.
I look forward to working with Secretary Napolitano and other members of the council to find solutions to keep our country safe while welcoming immigrants who will contribute to our nation’s interests.
The HSAC is comprised of experts from state, local and tribal governments, emergency and first responder communities, academia and the private sector, and provides recommendations and advice directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The Council is chaired by former CIA and FBI Director Judge William Webster.
To read more about the HSAC, including a complete list of its members, please visit www.dhs.gov/hsac.

- Manny

Miami A Character on TV's 'Burn Notice'

Sunny Miami is one of the characters in USA's hit show "Burn Notice", filmed on location, according to the Associated Press.

"Every city has its own unique pulse of life. That's what Jeff Freilich, executive producer of the USA network series "Burn Notice," believes...As a multiethnic, multicultural, international city located in a tropical climate, it's nearly impossible to fake Miami anywhere else." Read the story.

Miami Students Receive Free Computers

Following the event last week celebrating the graduation of more than 300 sixth-graders from the ELEVATE Miami program, this week we started handing out free computers to the students. Here you can see students from Kinloch Park Middle School taking their free computers home.

This is the second year of ELEVATE Miami, a joint effort of the City of Miami, Miami-Dade Public Schools and private partners to close the digital gap within our community. I am very proud of our students who graduated from the program and who have been rewarded with a free computer and internet access. Congratulations!

- Manny

Free Fruit Tree Giveaway for City of Miami Residents

Save money. Save the earth. Plant your own fruit tree!

All City of Miami residents are welcome to pick up a free fruit tree this Saturday as part of the Our Green Miami program (www.OurGreenMiami.org). From 8am-12 noon, residents can pick up young Mango, Avocado, Jackfruit or Lychee trees to plant in your own yard. These trees grow well in Miami and will help boost our urban tree canopy while helping you to save money and save the earth. Growing your own fruit is healthy and delicious way to promote a more sustainable Miami.

Please bring proof of residency with you and come early because trees will be given away on a first come-first served basis. Each household can bring home 2 trees. If you have any questions, please call 305.416.1551. I hope to see you there.

Fruit Tree Giveaway

Saturday, May 30, 2009

8:00 - 12:00

Eglise de Notre Dame D'Haiti

110 NE 62nd St (on the corner of NE 2nd Ave and NE 62nd St)

-Manny