Manny Diaz (Florida politician)
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This biographical article relies on references to primary sources. (July 2007) |
| Manny Diaz | |
|---|---|
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| Mayor of Miami | |
| In office November 17, 2001 – November 11, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Carollo |
| Succeeded by | Tomás Regalado |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 5, 1954 Havana, Cuba |
| Political party | Democratic (Before 2001) Independent (2001–present) |
| Alma mater | Florida International University University of Miami |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Government website |
Manuel "Manny" Alberto Diaz (born November 5, 1954) is a Cuban American politician who served as the mayor of Miami, Florida from 2001–2009.
Mayor Diaz and his mother, Elisa, left Cuba in 1961.[1] He graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in 1973. He scored the first touchdown in Belen Jesuit football history, and was named "Mr. Belen" in his graduating class.[2] In 1977, Diaz received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Florida International University. In 1980, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
Diaz first came to prominence serving as the attorney for the Miami relatives of Elián González.[3]
A lawyer, Diaz was elected mayor in November 2001, replacing Joe Carollo, and reelected in 2005. As mayor, Diaz remained a partner in the law firm of Diaz, O'Naghten & Borgognoni, L.L.P.
When he first took office, Miami city government was bankrupt, held junk bond status, and was under a state financial oversight board. Mayor Diaz pursued a vast administrative overhaul that brought with it financial stability, healthy level of financial reserves, continued tax cuts, lowered millage rates, and an A+ bond rating on Wall Street.
In 2004 Diaz was awarded the "Urban Innovator of the Year" award by the Manhattan Institute.
In 2008, Diaz became president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. As an Independent, and a former registered Democrat, Diaz spoke at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and endorsed President Barack Obama.[4]
Diaz is married to Robin Smith and has four children and three grandchildren. His son, Manny, is a college football coach and is the defensive coordinator for The University of Texas at Austin. His daughter, Natalie, recently received her Masters in Public Health with honors from Florida International University. His son, Robert, is pursuing a political science degree. His daughter, Elisa, is currently attending a magnet school for Drama. His grandchildren are Colin, Gavin, and Manny Jr.
Mayor Diaz left office in 2009 because of term limits. In the Spring of 2010 Diaz was an IOP Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Today Diaz is a Partner at Lydecker Diaz, LLP in Miami.
References [edit]
- ^ U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- ^ The International Jesuit Alumni Directory Belen (Forum Press Inc., 1994)
- ^ "Lawyer for Cuban Boy's Relatives Is Elected Miami Mayor". The New York Times. November 14, 2001.
- ^ Miami Herald article, July 11, 2009[dead link]
External links [edit]
- Manny Diaz profile at CityMayors.com.
- Official City of Miami profile.
- Official U.S. Conference of Mayors web site.
- Diaz, O'Naghten & Borgognoni, L.L.P..
- Lesley Clark, The Miami Herald.
