Title
Honoring Judge Nelson A. Diaz.
Body
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 invalidat...
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