Washington, D.C. – U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz today delivered a hard-hitting address to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and challenged the next Presidential Administration to invest in America’s cities and metropolitan areas -- the economic engines of the nation accounting for 86 percent of the Gross Domestic Product and where over 85% of people in the country live. 

Mayor Diaz believes, “An investment in America’s Cities is an investment in America’s People and America’s future.”  However, Diaz believes that Washington no longer invests in its cities and its people.  Further, he said, “Washington has lost its values – lost its principles – lost its sense of purpose – engaging in endless debate and partisan bickering while people in this country continue to suffer. … Plain and simple, Washington has abandoned us.”   

Diaz pointed out that solutions are not coming from Washington, but from America’s cities:  Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is leading on Climate Change; New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is leading on Infrastructure; Boston Mayor Tom Menino is leading on illegal guns; Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is leading on Education; and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is leading on poverty reduction. 

Mayor Diaz also highlighted 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 to forge a urban 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 these forums – also dubbed as the “Mayors March for America” -- as the “third campaign” of the political season. 

Beginning in Philadelphia on August 6 and ending in Miami on October 2, the “March for America” will focus on areas that mayors believe need significant investment to stimulate the national economy and generate domestic jobs: 

Philadelphia – Crime & Public Safety (August 6)
New York – Infrastructure (August 14)
Los Angeles – Poverty (September date TBD)
Chicago – Arts (TBD)
Miami – Environment (October 2) 

Mayor Diaz, the newly-elected President of the mayors’ organization believes that issues like violent crime, crumbling infrastructure, poverty and climate protection are not local problems, but, "National problems that demand national investments.” 

Media Note: Attached is a copy of the Mayor’s remarks at the National Press Club luncheon.