Manny Diaz (Florida politician)
| Manny Diaz | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 41st Mayor of Miami | |
|
In office November 17, 2001 – November 11, 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Joe Carollo |
| Succeeded by | Tomás Regalado |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 5, 1954 Havana, Cuba |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent (formerly) |
| Alma mater |
Florida International University University of Miami |
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. He graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in 1973. He scored the first touchdown in Belen Jesuit football history, and was named "Mr. Belén" in his graduating class. In 1977, Díaz 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.
A lawyer, Diaz was elected mayor in November 2001, replacing Joe Carollo, and reelected in 2005. As mayor, Díaz remained a partner in the law firm of Díaz, 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 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 2007, Diaz served on the selection committee for the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence.
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Wikipedia