Sept. 1, 2009

Residents Invited to Celebrate Former City Councilman Adam Diaz’s 100th Birthday

Residents are invited to join Vice Mayor Tom Simplot when he celebrates the 100th birthday of former Phoenix City Councilman Adam Diaz. The celebration will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Adam Diaz Senior Center, 4115 W. Thomas Road.

Diaz became Phoenix’s first Mexican-American city councilman in 1954. Diaz was elected to the City Council in 1948, serving four terms on the council and one year as a vice mayor. Diaz also served for five years on the Phoenix Elementary School District Number One Governing Board.

“I am honored to have known Adam Diaz for many years and I admire his lifelong dedication to public service,” said Simplot. “In his 100 years, Councilman Diaz has maintained the respect, admiration and affection of family and friends from all walks of life...a testament to a life well-lived.”

While chairman of the Board of Chicanos Por La Causa, his efforts to fund senior housing for low-income Hispanics resulted in establishing Casa de Primavera, a low-income senior housing complex near 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road. Later President Bill Clinton appointed him to the Task Force on Aging. In this role, Diaz visited the White House to discuss Social Security, Medicare and other important senior issues with Second Lady Tipper Gore.

Two years ago, Phoenix’s Heritage Commission recommended renaming the Westside Senior Center after Diaz based his numerous contributions as a community leader and public servant.

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