Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Mayor of Charleston, SC,  is widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America. First elected Mayor in December, 1975, Mayor Riley has led a city government with an impressive record of innovation in public safety, housing, arts and culture, children's issues, the creation of park and other public spaces, and economic revitalization and development. The City of Charleston is recognized as one of the most livable and progressive cities in the United States.  In 1996, Mayor Riley dedicated his sixth term of office to the children of Charleston. He created the Mayor's Office for Children, Youth & Families (MOCYF) to serve as a clearinghouse for information and ideas and a Mayor's Commission to involve a broad range of community leaders and activists in these efforts. Mayor Riley works closely with the Charleston County School District to improve the public schools in the city of Charleston. He has once again expanded his interest in children's welfare by involving himself with The Hemangioma Treatment Foundation and strives to make Charleston's medical community a center for the treatment of vascular birthmarks.