U.S. Conference of Mayors to challenge the next Presidential Administration on solutions that threaten America’s cities

MIAMI – U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz will address the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Monday, August 4th to challenge the next Presidential Administration to invest in solutions to the growing problems that threaten America’s cities and metropolitan areas — the economic engines of the nation accounting for 86 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

Mayor Diaz, the newly-elected President of the mayors’ organization believes, “National problems demand national investments.”

Diaz will also highlight the launch of a series of Mayors ’08 Action Forums, a national effort in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami, where mayors will meet in each location to forge an action agenda for cities to be presented to the next President of the United States during the critical first 100 days of the new administration. Diaz has referred to this national effort as the “third campaign” of the political season.

Beginning in Philadelphia on August 6 and ending in Miami on October 2, the Action Forums will focus on areas that mayors believe are in need of significant national investment:

– Philadelphia – Crime & Public Safety (August 6)

– New York – Infrastructure (August 14)

– Los Angeles – Poverty (September)

– Chicago – Arts (TBD)

– Miami – Environment (October 2)