By Virak Kchao
July 14, 2008

Florida Governor Charles J. Crist, Jr. addressed the Conference of Mayors on June 22 and congratulated Miami Mayor Manny Diaz on becoming the next Conference President. The Governor said that he was confident that Diaz would lead the Conference with vitality just as the former President Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer had done. He praised Diaz on becoming nation’s leading environmental conscience mayor to green his city. The Intercontinental Hotel, which was selected to host the Conference of Mayors meeting, was distinguished because it was a green hotel.

The Governor noted that Diaz signed the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and pledged to reduce green gas emissions. Crist also highlighted Diaz’s plans to convert the cities fleet to hybrid cars or fuel-efficient vehicles by 2012 and promote green building through the city. He said that a looming energy crisis and a need to become environmental friendly is urgently needed throughout the nation.

Crist said, "We are at a time where we’re in an energy situation, where we need to be focused. We need to be vigilant, and we need to be smart. We need to do what’s right to protect our environment and what’s smart to protect our people."

Crist explained how America was the melting pot of the world and Florida was the "melting pot of the melting pot" to describe its ever growing diverse population. Crist said that even though his heritage was of Greek origin, he was proud to be American first and foremost. Crist proudly stated that Florida is considered one of the most diverse places in the world and that anybody in the world was welcome to the state with open arms.