Mayor Richard M. Daley said today that Chicago does not intend to bid for the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

The Mayor issued the following statement:

"I'm pleased and honored that the Democratic National Committee has asked Chicago to bid for the right to host the party's national convention in 2004. Everyone agrees that the 1996 convention was a tremendous success both for Chicago and for the Democratic Party, and I'm confident that a 2004 convention in Chicago would be every bit as successful as the one we hosted six years ago.

"Nevertheless, we've decided not to bid. I believe the Democratic Party should demonstrate its broad geographic base by holding its convention in as many different cities as possible. And I want to give some of my fellow mayors a chance to capture the same kind of favorable publicity that the 1996 convention generated for Chicago.

"I certainly hope Chicago can host more Democratic National Conventions in the future. But we just had our turn. Let's give some other cities the opportunity."