David R. Jones shares his knowledge and experience and the research done by his organization, the Community Service Society of New York, in his twice monthly column in the "New York Amsterdam News," New York City's leading African American newsweekly. The column, "The Urban Agenda," explores practical options that can help resolve the pressing social problems of society and cities. A unifying idea is that city problems are national problems that require national attention. Only federal and state governments operating in unison with local authorities, community-based organizations, business leaders, and concerned citizens can produce solutions. The columns reprinted in this collection date from 1992, and are grouped into the following categories: (1) "Solving the Urban Crisis" (4 columns); (2) "Gutted Budgets and Ruined Lives" (6 columns); (3) "Genuine Welfare Reform" (4 columns); (4) "Education That Works" (5 columns); (5) "Health Care for the Poor" (6 columns); (6) "Solving the Housing Crisis" (4 columns); (7) "Improving Race Relations and Empowerment" (3 columns); and (8) "Safeguarding the Future" (4 columns). (SLD)