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[1. Distinguished Service Award – Lucia Athens]
EVERYONE.I'M SPENCER CRONK, THE AUSTIN CITY MANAGER, AND I AM ABSOLUTELY HONORED TO BE HERE THIS MORNING TO RECOGNIZE LUCIA ATHENS, UH, FOR A DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.
SHE HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE EMPLOYEE, UH, FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR OVER 14 YEARS, UH, INCLUDING BEING THE FIRST CITY'S CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER.
IF I CAN HAVE, UH, CHIEF OF STAFF JASON ALEXANDER AND LUCIA JOIN ME UP FRONT.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, LUCIA JOINED HER CAREER AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN 1987 DOING WATER CONSERVATION OUTREACH FOR WHAT WAS THEN CALLED THE ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
LATER, SHE SERVED AS A KEY MEMBER OF THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR AUSTIN'S ENERGY'S GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM FROM 19 19 91 TO 1992.
FROM THERE, SHE SPENT 10 YEARS LEADING THE, UH, LEADING SEATTLE'S A GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM.
BEFORE REJOINING THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN SEPTEMBER, 2010, SHE JOINED THE CITY AS OUR FIRST CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, AND IN THIS ROLE, SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHARTING A COURSE TOWARDS MUNICIPAL AND CITYWIDE SUSTAINABILITY AND LEADING THE EVOLUTION OF THE OFFICE FROM ONE PERSON.
UH, TODAY'S TEAM TO TO TODAY'S TEAM OF DEDICATED SUSTAINABILITY PROFESSIONALS.
I WANNA JUST TAKE A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE PRESENTING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO SHARE A FEW OF LUCIA'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
DURING HER TENURE WITH THE CITY, EARLY IN HER TENURE, SHE DEVELOPED A SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA AND LANGUAGE FOR THE CITY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, BOND DEVELOPMENT, IMAGINE AUSTIN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND OTHER KEY STRATEGIC INITIATIVES.
SHE WAS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN ACHIEVING A HUNDRED PERCENT RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR ALL OF CITY OF AUSTIN'S FACILITIES.
THROUGH AUSTIN'S ENERGIES GREEN CHOICE PROGRAM AND BUILDING ON THESE EARLY SUCCESSES, SHE AND THE SUSTAINABILITY TEAM HAVE AT ACHIEVED THE FOLLOWING.
OVER THE PAST 12 YEARS OF HER CAREER, WE ACHIEVED A FOUR STAR RATING FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
WE'VE CREATED THE BRIGHT GREEN FUTURES GRANTS PROGRAM.
WE CREATED AUSTIN'S FIRST COMMUNITY CLIMATE PLAN.
WE RELEASED THE CITY'S FIRST STATE-OF-THE FOOD SYSTEM REPORT IN 2015, AND WE LED THE CITY'S GREEN BUILDING POLICY FOR CITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS.
YOU KNOW, HER EXCEPTIONAL WORK AND PASSION FOR SUSTAINABILITY HAVE FURTHERED THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY'S MISSION FOR ACHIEVING AND THRIVING EQUITABLE AND ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE COMMUNITY.
WITH THOSE AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN MIND, I WOULD LIKE NOW LIKE TO READ THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR HER 14 YEARS OF UNTIRING SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN AS THE CITY'S FIRST CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER.
HER UNWAVERING PASSION FOR ADVANCING THE PROFESSION AND MOVEMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY THAT HAVE UNIQUELY CONTRIBUTED TO AUSTIN BEING A THRIVING, EQUITABLE AND ECOLOGICALLY RESILIENT COMMUNITY, AND HER TIRELESS DEVOTION TO ADVANCING MEANINGFUL AND CONSEQUENTIAL CLIMATE ACTION IN OUR CITY AND AROUND THE WORLD.
LUCIA ATHENS IS DESERVING A PUBLIC ACCLAIM AND RECOGNITION.
THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION THEREOF ON THIS NINTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2023.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING LUCIA.
IN ADDITION TO THIS RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE, I'M HONORED TO PRESENT YOU WITH A CITY OF AUSTIN EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE COIN, AS WELL AS THIS STREET SIGN, WHICH I THINK IT'S OVER THERE.
I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER AL ALTER FOR JOINING ME, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR AND COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, UH, YOUR DEDICATION TO THE CITY, IT'S RESIDENTS AND THE WORLD SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS.
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN THE YEARS TO COME, AND I'D LIKE, UH, CHIEF OF STAFF JASON ALEXANDER TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
THANK YOU, SPENCER, AND GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.
JASON ALEXANDER, CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
ONE OF THE OFFICES THAT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO, UH, WORK WITH AND OVERSEE ON A DAILY BASIS IS OUR SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE.
UM, I WILL NOT ADD TO WHAT SPENCER'S, UH, ALREADY SHARED WITH YOU, BUT JUST TO SAY THAT FOR 14 YEARS, UH, SINCE SHE REJOINED THE CITY, LUCIA HAS BEEN A CLOSE COLLEAGUE OF MINE, UM, SEEING ME THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS AS A, AS AN EARLY EMPLOYEE OR AS A NEW EMPLOYEE ABOUT 14 YEARS AGO.
UM, MORE RECENTLY THOUGH, UH, WHEN I WAS APPOINTED CHIEF OF STAFF, SHE QUICKLY BECAME ONE OF MY MOST, UH, TRUSTED ADVISORS.
UH, IT WAS A NEW JOB, IT WAS A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES, UM, AND I WAS HER NEW BOSS AND THAT WAS A DYNAMIC SHIFT, BUT, UH, SHE SAW ME THROUGH THAT AND, UH, I JUST COULD NOT BE MORE, UH, THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL TO YOU.
SHE HAS THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO MENTOR UP AND, UM, IT'S WHAT WE WANNA SEE IN OUR CITY LEADERS.
REALLY, UH, I'M A LITTLE CHOKED UP HEARING ALL OF THIS.
IT'S VERY, VERY HUMBLING AND I'M SO HONORED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE THE CITY IN THIS WAY AND WITH SUCH
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AMAZING COLLEAGUES ALL AROUND ME.UM, ON THE COUNCIL, THE CITY MANAGER, CHIEF OF CHIEF OF STAFF, MY INCREDIBLE TEAM.
UM, ALL THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MORE, UH, THAT THE OFFICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE HAVE REALLY BEEN BECAUSE OF THE INCREDIBLE TEAM, UH, THAT DOES THIS WORK.
AND SO, UH, WE'RE JOINED TODAY BY ZACH BOMBER, THE ACTING SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, AND THE CLIMATE PROGRAM MANAGER, SHANNON STEWART, WHO IS OUR DYNAMIC COMMUNICATIONS LEAD.
MARY PRETTY WHO HAS, UH, BEEN WITH THE OFFICE FROM THE BEGINNING AND IS THE BRIGHT GREEN FUTURES, UH, LEADER.
AND, UH, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT IT'S BEEN SUCH A, A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR ME TO BE IN PUBLIC SERVICE PREVIOUSLY FOR THE CITY OF SEATTLE, AND NOW FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT ROLES.
UH, WE ARE SUCH AN AMAZING CITY THAT'S BEEN COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY FOR SO VERY LONG, UH, MUCH BEFORE I CAME HERE.
SO I WAS REALLY BUILDING, YOU KNOW, ON A LOT OF WORK THAT OTHERS HAD DONE AND ABLE TO LEVERAGE AND DO MORE.
WE HAVE SO MANY CHALLENGES, UH, YET AHEAD OF US AS A CITY RELATED TO SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE.
UH, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH MANY PLANS IN PLACE THAT STILL MUCH MUST BE IMPLEMENTED AND FUNDED.
UH, BUT WE ARE A LEADER IN THIS SPACE AND, UH, FOR ME TO HAVE SUCH A PERSONAL, UH, PASSION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT, WORKING TO ADVANCE CITY SUSTAINABILITY IN THIS WAY, UH, HAS REALLY BEEN A PLACE WHERE, UH, I, I'M RECALLING SOMETHING THAT I LEARNED FROM A LEADERSHIP TRAINING I WENT TO ONCE, WHERE THE WORLD'S, UH, GREATEST PASSION MEETS THE, I'M SORRY, MY, MY GREATEST PASSION MEETS THE WORLD'S GREATEST NEED.
AND IT'S REALLY, YOU'RE REALLY LUCKY WHEN YOU'RE ABLE TO JOIN THOSE TWO THINGS, YOUR PASSION AND WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS HONOR, AND, UH, I WILL STILL BE AROUND IN AUSTIN AND SUPPORTING EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON IN THIS GREAT CITY OF OURS.
I'M GONNA GET YOU RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE THANK YOU.
I THINK WE'RE GONNA, I'M NOT, I'M GONNA HAVE TO WAIT CUZ MY PRO'S NOT HERE YET.
YEAH, I THINK I'M UP NEXT, WHICH IS THE SCIENCE FAIR.
FIRST THING I NEED TO DO IS LOWER THE MIC,
[2. Proclamation – Austin Energy Regional Science Festival Day]
I'M LESLIE POOLE AND I'M THE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT SEVEN, AND IT'S MY HONOR AND ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN ENERGY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.AND IT'S MY PLEASURE TODAY TO BE READING A PROCLAMATION ABOUT THE AUSTIN ENERGY SCIENCE REGIONAL FESTIVAL FOR 2023.
AND INGRID WAGAN, WHO HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN ITS, UH, CREATION AND EXPANSION AND SUSTAINABILITY IS HERE TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE, INGRID.
ALL RIGHT, HERE'S THE PROCLAMATION.
IT'S QUITE BEAUTIFUL AND I WILL READ THIS AND THEN INGRID WILL HAVE A FEW WORDS TO SHARE.
PROCLAMATION BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE AUSTIN ENERGY SCIENCE REGIONAL FESTIVAL 2023 WILL SHOWCASE THE TALENT OF MORE THAN 2,500 ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC HOME CHARTER PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM 12 COUNTIES WITHIN THE GREATER AUSTIN AREA, INCLUDING TRAVIS AND WILLIAMSON.
AND WHEREAS 2023 MARKS THE 67TH ANNIVERSARY OF AN AUSTIN REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR AND THE CELEBRATION OF AN EVENT IN WHICH THE CITY OF AUSTIN REMAINS ONE OF ONLY TWO UNITED STATES CITIES TO BRING A REGIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL TO ITS COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS SCIENCE FAIRS LIKE THE AUSTIN ENERGY SCIENCE REGIONAL FESTIVAL 2023 HELP SPARK AN INTEREST IN CHILDREN TO PURSUE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH CAREERS.
AND WHEREAS WE CONGRATULATE THE PARTICIPANTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHOSE WINNING PROJECT WILL GO ON TO STATE AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.
AND WE THANK AUSTIN ENERGY, OUR COMMUNITY OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITY FOR SPONSORING AND ORGANIZING THIS IMPORTANT EVENT FOR THE 21ST YEAR IN A ROW.
AND WE THANK THE AUSTIN SCIENCE EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOR ITS CRITICAL ROLE
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IN SECURING SPONSORSHIPS WHICH AID IN FUNDING THE EVENT.NOW, THEREFORE, I, LESLIE POOLE, COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT SEVEN ON BEHALF OF MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DUE HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 22 TO 25, 20 23 AS AUSTIN ENERGY REGIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL DAYS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL.
AND I SHOULD SAY THAT COUNCIL MEMBER POOL PERSONALLY HAS BEEN ON STAGE SHAKING HUNDREDS OF LITTLE ELEMENTARY HANDS.
SO ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN SIDE.
DO WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK? HANG ON.
WE'LL GIVE FOLKS A MINUTE OR SO TO FILTER BACK IN AND THEN I'LL TURN THE MIC BACK OVER TO INGRID SO SHE CAN MAKE HER REMARKS AND MAKE SURE WE GET OUR PHOTOGRAPHER BACK SO WE CAN GET SOME PICTURES
OKAY, WELL, LET'S RESUME INGRID.
AS COUNCILMEMBER POOL SAID, THIS IS THE 67TH YEAR OF A REGIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL.
AND FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, AUSTIN ENERGY HAS BEEN A COMMITTED SUPPORTER AND ORGANIZER OF THE FAIR.
AND WE DO WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR MANY, MANY YEARS OF SUPPORT.
THE SCIENCE FAIR IS AN OCCASION FOR THE YOUNGEST AND BRIGHTEST STUDENTS IN OUR AREA TO CONGREGATE, TALK TO PROFESSIONALS IN THEIR FIELD, LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, AND HOPEFULLY STAY ENGAGED IN STEM.
BECAUSE THESE STUDENTS ARE OUR FUTURE.
THEY WILL SOLVE CURRENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES, AND THEY WILL KEEP THE CENTRAL TEXAS AREA HUMMING WITH THEIR INNOVATIONS.
HOWEVER, IT'S NOT JUST THE STUDENTS THAT MAKE THE SCIENCE FAIR GO, IT'S THE MANY, MANY PARENTS AND TEACHERS.
AND ON TOP OF THAT, IT'S HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP.
AND OUR LOYAL SPONSORS, WE COULD NOT DO IT WITH OUR SPONSORS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO ARE HERE TODAY.
AND BECAUSE IT COMMITS THEIR, I'M SORRY,
SO THE SPONSORS WHO ARE HERE TODAY, AND THEY ARE LONG-STANDING SPONSORS ARE SYNOPSIS THE CITIES OF AUSTIN OFFERS OF SUSTAINABILITY.
LAIA AND WATERSHED DE UH, THE PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, JACOBS, SAMSUNG, AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR, AND THE TYRES GROUP.
THEIR COMMITMENT HELP US CONTINUE WITH THIS IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT ENDEAVOR TO GET OUR KIDS INTO STEM EDUCATION.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE ALSO HAVE ONE OF OUR 2022 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR FINALIST HERE, AARON GEORGE, WHO IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF PROJECTS THAT OUR STUDENTS COMMIT.
AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ACKNOWLEDGING US COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND NOW CAN WE TAKE SOME PHOTOS? LET'S, AND SHOULD WE INCLUDE AARON WITH US? YES.
WE SHOULD INCLUDE AARON AND ANY OF THIS COUNCIL MEMBER.
ANY OF THE SPONSORS WANNA YOUR SPONSORS COME UP? PLEASE STAND NEXT TO, I THINK WE GOTTA STACK BY SIZE, RIGHT? YOU? YES.
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SO IF YOU'RE HERE FOR THE TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH PROCLAMATION, IF YOU COULD COME JOIN ME, PLEASE.WE WANNA MAYBE SPREAD OVER ON BOTH SIDES.
WE'RE GONNA NEED THE WHOLE WALL
AND WHICH ONE OF YOU IS AGNES? ME.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING HERE.
[3. Proclamation – Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month]
I'M ALLISON AL ALTER AND I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 10 CENTRAL NORTHWEST AUSTIN ON THE CITY COUNCIL.I'M JOINED TODAY BY SENIOR DIRECTOR SHANNON CENTRIA AND COUNSELING DIRECTOR AGNES AOKI OF SAFE AUSTIN'S EXPECT RESPECT PROGRAM, AND KINA CLARK, ALONG WITH TEAM MEMBERS FROM AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENTS VICTIM SERVICES DIVISION, AND MAYBE THE CRISIS DIVISION AS WELL.
I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT WEEK FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BUT I DO WANNA TAKE A FEW MINUTES THIS MORNING TO TALK ABOUT TEEN DATING VIOLENCE.
AS A MOTHER TO TWO TEENAGERS, THIS SUBJECT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.
THE FIRST RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE WITNESS AND EXPERIENCE CAN SET THE TONE FOR HOW WE ARE TREATED IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS AS ADULTS.
CYCLES OF VIOLENCE OFTEN BEGIN IN YOUTH.
ADULT VICTIMS AND PERPETRATORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FREQUENTLY REPORT, OBSERVING OR EXPERIENCING ABUSE OR VIOLENCE WHILE GROWING UP.
AS IT STANDS, ONE IN THREE US TEENS WILL EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL, SEXUAL, OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE FROM SOMEONE THEY'RE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH BEFORE THEY BECOME ADULTS.
THIS MEANS THAT EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM PROBABLY KNOWS MORE THAN ONE PERSON WHO'S BEEN IMPACTED BY TEEN DATING VIOLENCE ALARMINGLY.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ONLY ONE THIRD OF TEENS WHO WERE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP HAVE TOLD ANYONE ABOUT IT.
AS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF TRAUMA AND ABUSE CONTINUES TO GROW, WE ARE BEGGING BEGINNING TO RECOGNIZE WHY IT IS SO DIFFICULT FOR VICTIMS TO SEEK HELP MANY TEENS FEAR SOCIAL ISOLATION, STIGMA, OR EVEN RETALIATION.
WE MUST REMOVE THESE BARRIERS SO THAT MORE SURVIVORS ARE ABLE TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND EXPERIENCE FREEDOM FROM ABUSE IN THEIR FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS BY EDUCATING OURSELVES ABOUT THE MANY FORMS OF DATING, VIOLENCE, AND ABUSE.
WE CAN EMPOWER OUR KIDS TO RECOGNIZE ABUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS AND TO SEEK HELP.
WE CAN ALSO CONTINUE TO STRIVE AS PARENTS, TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, STUDENTS, AND FRIENDS TO BETTER SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF ABUSE AND VIOLENCE WHEN THEY COME FORWARD.
SO I WANNA THANK OUR FRIENDS AT SAFE AUSTIN'S EXPECT RESPECT PROGRAM AND APDS VICTIM SERVICES FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO TO BREAK THE CYCLES OF ABUSE AND VIOLENCE IN
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OUR COMMUNITY.I HOPE THAT ONE DAY WE WILL NO LONGER NEED A TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH, BUT I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WORK.
AND IF YOU ARE A SURVIVOR OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE OR ABUSE, PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL BELIEVE YOU AND HELP YOU.
VISIT SAFE AUSTIN.ORG OR CALL
I WILL NOW READ A PROCLAMATION, BE IT KNOWN, THAT WHEREAS ALL YOUNG PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT, AND WHEREAS RESPECTFUL, SUPPORTIVE, AND NON-VIOLENT RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY TO SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS.
AND WHEREAS VICTIMIZATION INCREASES TEENS RISK FOR INJURY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, EATING DISORDERS, AND SUICIDE, AND YOUNG PEOPLE EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE ARE AT GREATER RISK FOR BECOMING VICTIMS AND PERPETRATORS IN ADULT RELATIONSHIPS.
AND WHEREAS WE HAVE LOST PRECIOUS MEMBERS OF OUR OWN COMMUNITY TO DATING VIOLENCE, AND WHEREAS PARENTS, TEACHERS, COACHES, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, CLERGY ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, AND OTHER IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN TEENS LIVES HAVE THE POWER TO INFLUENCE YOUTH IN POSITIVE WAYS.
AND WHEREAS WE URGE CITIZENS TO JOIN THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY FAMILY VIOLENCE TASK FORCE IN PROMOTING HEALTHY TEEN RELATIONSHIPS AND CALL UPON YOUTH AND ADULTS TO OBSERVE NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH WITH ACTIVITIES AND CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RESPECTFUL AND NON-VIOLENT RELATIONSHIPS IN THEIR HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITIES.
NOW, THEREFORE, I COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY, 2023 AS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH IN AUSTIN.
HELLO, I'M AGNES AOKI AND I HAVE SERVED AS THE EXPECT PET COUNSELING DIRECTOR FOR OVER 22 YEARS, SINCE 1989.
EXPECT RESPECT HAS WORKED AT THE FOREFRONT OF PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF ABUSE IN CHILDREN'S LIVES AND TO PREVENT VIOLENCE FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE.
EXPECT RESPECT IS BUILT ON AN ECOLOGICAL ART-BASED, TRAUMA INFORMED MODEL, SUPPORTING VULNERABLE YOUTH WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE, MOBILIZING YOUTH LEADERS, AND PROMOTING SAFE SCHOOLS AND SAFE COMMUNITIES.
WE ARE HERE TODAY, IN FACT, BECAUSE ONE OF THE TEENS IN OUR SUPPORT GROUPS, ALONGSIDE OUR VERY OWN SHANNON SANDRIA, REPRESENT A TEXAS IN THE CREATION OF NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH.
ALTHOUGH OUR PROGRAM SERVES MANY SCHOOLS IN SEVERAL TRAVIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDING TO BE AT EVERY SCHOOL TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND THIS WORK.
WE NEED MORE EXPECT RESPECT STAFF AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE ADULTS IN SCHOOLS.
EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY BY LEARNING HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO TEEN DATING VIOLENCE.
PEOPLE CAN REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT BY CALLING OR CHATTING WITH A SAFE LINE AT 5 1 2 2 6 7 7 2 3 3 AND EXPLORING WWW.LOVEISRESPECT.ORG, WHICH INCLUDES INFORMATION ON SAFETY PLANNING, HOW TO HELP A FRIEND, AND HAS BEEN VETTED BY TEAMS THEMSELVES.
PLEASE REACH OUT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS AND THESE RESOURCES.
OUR DEEPEST THANKS TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR HONORING NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH, CONTINUING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THIS ISSUE AND WORKING TOWARDS THE GOAL OF A SAFER COMMUNITY FOR, FOR EVERYONE.
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YOU CAN SCOOT CLOSER RIGHT UP.[4. Distinguished Service Award – Detective David Fugitt]
EVERYONE.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
UM, I ACTUALLY AM MACKENZIE KELLY WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX, WHICH IS FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN.
I'M HERE TODAY FOR A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION.
WE ARE HONORING DETECTIVE DAVID PUGET AND I, I DIDN'T WANT TO BUTCHER YOUR LAST NAME, I'M SO SORRY THE WHOLE MORNING I'VE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT THAT AND HIS SERVICE TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UM, HE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH APD IN 1994 AND BECAME A DETECTIVE IN THE MISSING PERSONS UNIT IN 1999, THEN TRANSFERRING TO HOMICIDE IN 2003, WHERE HE REMAINED FOR THE LAST 19 YEARS.
UM, MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW HE RECENTLY RETIRED AND WERE HERE TODAY TO HONOR HIM FOR HIS SERVICE AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
DURING HIS TIME THERE, HE WAS A LEAD INVESTIGATOR IN 68 HOMICIDE CASES AND SOLVED ALL BUT FOUR OF THEM, GIVING HIM A 94% SOLVED RATE.
HE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATIONS INTO OVER 700 HOMICIDES, INCLUDING THE CAPITAL MURDER OF SENIOR AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER JAIME PETRON IN 2012, THE CASE OF SUSPECTED SERIAL KILLER MARK ALLEN NORWOOD AND THE SERIAL BOMBER CASE FROM 2018.
HE ALSO TAUGHT CLASSES AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS, INCLUDING THE AUSTIN POLICE ACADEMY, AND SAW THE FIELD OF HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS MOVE INTO THE DIGITAL AGE WE HAVE HERE TODAY.
I FIRST MET HIM DURING MY TIME IN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY, AND LEARNED ABOUT HIS IMPRESSIVE WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT THERE.
HIS LAST DAY WITH APD WAS OCTOBER 31ST, AND WE THANK HIM FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, I'D LIKE TO PRESENT HIM WITH THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD, WHICH IS RIGHT HERE, AND I WILL READ IT FOR YOU.
IT SAYS, FOR HIS UNTIRING SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN DURING HIS ALMOST 30 YEAR TENURE AS A DEDICATED AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE FOR THE CITY, DETECTIVE DAVID FIJI IS DESERVING OF PUBLIC ACCLAIM AND RECOGNITION FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HE HAS EXHIBITED THE NATURE OF A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT AND IS HEREBY RECOGNIZED FOR THIS ON THIS DAY.
IT'S PRESENTED IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION THEREOF TODAY FROM THE WHOLE CITY COUNCIL.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? I WILL.
I, I, I DIDN'T PREPARE SPEECH, BUT
UM, WORK WITH THE DEDICATED GROUP OF HOMICIDE DETECTIVES THAT ARE HERE TODAY THAT WORKED TIRELESSLY AROUND THE CLOCK.
AND, UH, I KNOW THAT THEY'RE GONNA CONTINUE THE SUCCESSES THAT WE'VE ENJOYED THROUGH THE YEARS.
I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE COMMAND STAFF AND PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO, UH, RESTORING SAFETY TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
IT, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
THIS IS, THIS IS A GREAT HONOR AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
[5. Proclamation – Nagavalli Day]
I HAVE A PROCLAMATION.IF WE COULD GET, YES, THIS ONE IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME BECAUSE IT IS MY MUSIC COMMISSIONER.
HOW ABOUT YOU? GREAT, THANK YOU.
WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PROCLAMATION HERE TODAY FOR, UM, A WONDERFUL INDIAN AMERICAN MUSICIAN, MUSICIAN NAGA, AND SHE BRINGS THE RICH, SOULFUL MUSIC OF HER HOMELAND AND UPBRINGING IN MUMBAI, INDIA, BLENDING POP ROCK TRANCE AND EAST INDIAN OVERTONES.
IT IS DESCRIBED AS EASTERN SOUL STYLE MUSIC.
UM, HER REPERTOIRE RANGES FROM HER ORIGINAL SONGS IN ENGLISH TO EAST INDIAN
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CONTEMPORARY AND SPIRITUAL MUSIC.CREATING SOUNDS BOTH UNIQUE, YET FAMILIAR.
I HAD THE CHANCE TO LISTEN TO IT, AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHING.
UM, IT IS WONDERFUL MUSIC, SO I'M GONNA READ THE PROCLAMATION HERE.
WHEREAS NA GAAL IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN HER LOCAL MUSIC COMMUNITY WHERE SHE SERVES AS VICE CHAIR AND OFFICER FOR THE AUSTIN MUSIC COMMISSION THAT ADVISES CITY COUNCIL ON MUSIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES.
SHE ALSO SERVES AS THE BOARD CHAIR OF EQ AUSTIN, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT AIMS TO STIMULATE CULTURAL REPRESENTATION AND FOSTER ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN THE MUSIC AND CREATIVE SECTOR THROUGH A DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION LENS.
AND WHEREAS NAGA SET OUT TO RELEASE HER LATEST ALBUM, NEWMAN LUMINUM NEWMAN OUM, THAT IS A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL WORD.
IN FEBRUARY, 2023 OF HER LIVED EXPERIENCE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, CONVEYING HOW THESE INFLUENCES HAVE COME TOGETHER THROUGH HER SONGWRITING AND PERFORMING.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN RECOGNIZES HER WORK AND CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC IN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY, AND THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART, IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST HONORS THAT WE CAN EVER BESTOW AS A CITY COUNCIL UPON SOMEONE FOR THEIR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE DECLARING FEBRUARY 11TH, 2023 AS NAGA DAY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? WAS IT QUITE PREPARED? BUT YOU GUYS, HEY, TALK ABOUT YOUR MUSIC FOR A MINUTE,
UM, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, I, UH, HAVE TO THANK YOU FOR, UM, UH, APPOINTING ME TO THE MUSIC COMMISSION.
UM, IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR, UH, ALSO THAT YOU APPOINTED THE FIRST A A P I OFFICER, UH, TO THE MUSIC COMMISSION.
UM, I'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN, I'VE CALLED IT MY HOME FROM OVER 20 YEARS, PRETTY MUCH SPENDING MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE HERE, UH, IMMIGRATING FROM INDIA.
UM, SO THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR TO GET THIS PROCLAMATION TODAY.
UM, I CALL MY MUSIC EASTERN SOUL KIND OF BLENDING STYLES FROM BOTH MY HOMELAND AND, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, THE MUSIC HERE.
UM, ON THE MUSIC COMMISSION, OF COURSE, I, UH, I HAVE TO JUST SEND A REQUEST TO COUNCIL MEMBER HERE AND TO THE COUNCIL OVERALL TO PLEASE HELP US MOVE, UH, THE LIVE MUSIC FUND FORWARD, UM, AND, AND, AND EXPEDITED IN, IN, IN THE NEW YEAR.
UM, ON THE EQ AUSTIN BOAT THAT I SERVE, UM, WE, WE ARE VERY FOCUSED ON CULTIVATING AND, UH, PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE AUSTIN MUSIC SCENE.
AND AS MUSICIANS KIND OF, UM, LIVE IN AUSTIN, ALSO MOVE BEYOND TO THE MSAS, UM, IT BECOMES, I THINK, VERY, UH, UH, IMPORTANT THAT WE KIND OF START EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF AUSTIN MUSIC TO, IN, TO INCLUDE THE MSAS.
UH, BUT THANK YOU, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR THIS HONOR.
UH, I, I TRULY, UH, AM IT, IT'S, UM, I'M, I'M VERY THANKFUL, GRATEFUL.