Honoring Judge Nelson A. Diaz.

WHEREAS, After twenty-seven months of diligent and noteworthy service the Honorable Nelson A. Diaz is leaving from the position of City Solicitor of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Under his direction the Law Department was strategically reorganized to promote more effective management and delivery of high-quality legal services to City Council, the Mayor, as well as the Operating Departments of the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure the Law Department was able to attract a significant number of the brightest and most qualified law school graduates from area schools; increasing the number of Latino and other minority attomeys, as well as in management and supervisory positions; and

WHEREAS, At great savings, he created the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Law division to support the work of City Council and the Mayor to revitalize and invest in local neighborhoods and communities throughout the City; and

WHEREAS, He instituted a nationally recognized Lead Paint Court with the Court of Common Pleas to abate the dangerous conditions related to this serious public health danger and increased enforcement actions; and

WHEREAS, He filed a Complaint with the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner that lead to the successful reduction in automobile insurance rates; and

WHEREAS, Under his proactive leadership, the Law Department experienced record setting levels of enforcement and collection of delinquent taxes; reduced Law Department operating costs and in particular the expense of outside counsel; instituted a Mediation Program at both the federal and state level that resolved significant numbers of cases; while at the same time reducing Indemnity Fund expenditures approximately $18 million dollars since 1994; and

WHEREAS, Though his involvement, planning, and advocacy obtained a unanimous Supreme Court decision invalidating Act 230 in the Convention Center Case, establishing a legal precedent finding for the first time in Pennsylvania history an act invalid on procedural grounds; and

WHEREAS, By his review and consideration of the City Charter, Pennsylvania statutes, and federal regulations, issued a Solicitor’s Opinion that allowed approximately 30,000 City employees to be eligible to participate in Foster Care programs and ease the backlog and delay of the adoption process; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we honor Judge Nelson A. Diaz for his commitment and dedication to the citizens of Philadelphia and for his decades of public service to the City; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented to Judge Nelson A. Diaz as evidence of the sincere respect, deep admiration, and high regards this legislative body has for him and his service.

End