[00:00:06]
[Proclamation – Financial Literacy Month – To be presented by Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison]
AUSTIN, TEXAS.MY NAME IS NATASHA HARPER MADISON.
I'M THE PROUD REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT ONE ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
I'M JOINED THIS MORNING AS WE CELEBRATE FINANCIAL LITERACY DAY WITH FINANCIAL HEALTH PATHWAYS AND JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL TEXAS BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND RESOURCES.
NONPROFITS WORKING IN FINANCIAL LITERACY HELP BRIDGE THE WEALTH GAP BY EMPOWERING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND PROMOTING FINANCIAL INCLUSION.
NONPROFITS THAT FOCAL ON FINANCE, THAT FOCUS ON FINANCIAL LITERACY CONTRIBUTE TO THE CREATION OF THRIVING COMMUNITIES WHERE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS AND DREAMS. THESE PROGRAMS OFTEN EXTEND TO FAMILY MEMBERS FOSTERING HEALTHY FINANCIAL HABITS ACROSS GENERATIONS AND STRENGTHENING FAMILY UNITS BECAUSE FINANCIALLY LITERATE INDIVIDUALS ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR THE WORKFORCE AS THEY UNDERSTAND CONCEPTS SUCH AS SALARY NEGOTIATION, RETIREMENT PLANNING, AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
THESE ORGANIZATIONS ALSO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITIES.
NONPROFITS LIKE FINANCIAL HEALTH PATHWAYS IN JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL TEXAS PROMOTE FINANCIAL LITERACY AND SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY TEACHING ASPIRING BUSINESS OWNERS ABOUT FINANCIAL PLANNING, BUDGETING AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL.
AND WITH THAT, I AM PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE AND READ, UH, RESOLUTION, OR I'M SORRY, UH, PROCLAMATION FINANCIAL LITERACY DAY PROCLAMATION BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS FINANCIAL LITERACY IS A CORNERSTONE OF A HEALTHY ECONOMIC LIFE INVOLVING KNOWLEDGE OF BUDGETING, TAXES, INVESTMENT, AND BORROWING.
AND WHEREAS MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN, LACK THE INSTITUTION AND SYSTEMS THAT UNDER GRID FINANCIAL LITERACY OFTENTIMES AS A PRODUCT, EXCUSE ME, OF GENERATIONAL DISCRIMINATION.
AND WHEREAS THE WORK OF GOVERNMENT, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS COMBINED ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT AUSTINITES NOT ONLY MEET THE BARE MINIMUM OF FINANCIAL LITERACY, BUT CAN EXCEL IN HEALTHY PERSONAL FINANCING.
AND WHEREAS WE OUGHT TO RECOGNIZE THE LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT THAT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HAD ON IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL LITERACY OF AUSTIN FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY IN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.
NOW, THEREFORE, I COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA HARPER MADISON, ALONG WITH THE MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE REST OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, DO HEAR BY PROCLAIM APRIL 4TH, 2024 AS FINANCIAL LITERACY DAY IN AUSTIN.
ANYBODY LIKE TO SHARE A FEW FEW WORDS? NO, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS? PLEASE FEEL FREE.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOUR ORGANIZATION.
MY NAME IS LAURA SUNGA AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER AT THE FINANCIAL HEALTH PATHWAYS.
AND WE'RE VERY THANKFUL TO WORK IN A CITY LIKE AUSTIN WITH A COUNCIL MEMBER LIKE NATASHA HARPER, HARPER MADISON, AND THE ENTIRE COUNCIL AND MAYOR OF AUSTIN IN ELEVATING AND IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF OUR RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS RECOGNITION.
AND ON BEHALF OF JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT AND FINANCIAL HEALTH PATHWAYS, WE'RE UH, THANKFUL TO WORK WITH AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR AND HOPE THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF, UH, A GROWING PARTNERSHIP ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY.
WOULD YOU GUYS DO ME THE HONOR TAKING A PHOTO WITH YOU? OF COURSE.
[Proclamation – Week of the Young Child– To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes]
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.MY NAME IS VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN FOR DISTRICT TWO.
I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH YOU ALL TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD.
THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD IS A TIME TO REFLECT AND PLAN HOW WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN AND WILL DO BETTER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
[00:05:01]
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE IS CRITICAL FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, SCHOOL READINESS, AND FAMILY'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.BUT CHILDCARE, AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY STILL REMAINS A HUGE ISSUE FOR US HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING WORKING FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY IN OUR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AND UNDER-RESOURCED AREAS LIKE IN SOUTHEAST AUSTIN.
THE AREA THAT I REPRESENT FROM REDUCING ZONING BARRIERS TO REDUCING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS OR TO PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR CHILDCARE CENTERS, OUR CITY IS DOUBLING DOWN AND WE'RE ACTIVELY COMMITTING TO ADDRESSING THE BROKEN CHILDCARE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE.
WE COULD NOT MAKE THIS HAPPEN WITHOUT THE ASSOCIATION WITH THE, WITHOUT THE AUSTIN CHAPTER OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, THE SUCCESS BY SIXTH COALITION, AND OF COURSE OUR OWN AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OUR CHILDCARE, UH, PROVIDERS WITHIN, UH, WITHIN OUR AREA AND OF COURSE OUR DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL STAFF WITHIN THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND SO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE IN THE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SPACE.
I'M FILLED TO PRESENT THIS YEAR'S PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING APRIL 6TH THROUGH THE 12TH AS WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD.
I WANNA THANK OUR WONDERFUL CITY STAFF FOR THEIR EFFORTS AND DEDICATION TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE CITY.
AND JOINING ME TODAY FOR, FOR THIS PROCLAMATION IS MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
SO BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE FIRST YEARS OF A CHILD'S LIFE ARE THE PERIOD FOR THE MOST RAPID BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND THAT LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL FUTURE LEARNING AND HIGH QUALITY, EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION CAN HELP IMPROVE THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY, DETECT AND REMEDIATE DELAYS, IDENTIFYING AND HELP PREVENT CHILD NEGLECT AND PREPARE CHILDREN TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES LIVES.
AND WHEREAS THERE ARE OVER 84,000 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX IN AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY, 20% OF WHOM LIVE IN FAMILIES WITH LOW INCOME AND LACK ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EARLY CARE WORKING FAMILIES NEED SUFFICIENT HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY BEGINNING AT BIRTH.
AND WHEREAS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS NEED THE ABILITY TO EARN A FAMILY SUSTAINING WAGE THAT IS COMMISERATE WITH THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS THAT THEY BRING TO THE COMPLEX AND ESSENTIAL WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING.
AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES RECOGNIZE THE CITY OF AUSTIN AS A SUPPORTING A STRONG PRENATAL TO AGE THREE AGENDA.
AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS A PARTNER WITH THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY SUCCESS BY SIX COALITION STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH HAS THE LONG-TERM GOAL TO ENSURE THAT THE END OF A CHILD'S FIRST 200 THOU OR 2000 DAY JOURNEY, THAT THEY ARE HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND READY TO SUCCEED IN LIFE.
AND WHEREAS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS AND OTHERS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF YOUNG CHILDREN DESERVE OUR THANKS, OUR RECOGNITION AND OUR SUPPORT AND PUBLIC POLICIES THAT SUPPORT EARLY LEARNING FOR ALL YOUNG CHILDREN, AUSTIN'S FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES AND OUR ECONOMY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN WITH MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER ON BEHALF OF OUR MAYOR TO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 6TH THROUGH APRIL 12TH, 2024 AS WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD HERE IN AUSTIN, ACCEPTING THIS PROCLAMATION.
WE HAVE RANIA SALMAN, I'M GONNA LET SHANNON HOLD IT.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO FIRST SAY THANK YOU BOTH FOR, UM, THIS PROCLAMATION AND I WANTED TO SHARE THAT TEXAS A YC, UM, IS AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING AND ADVOCATING FOR HIGH QUALITY EARLY C CHILD, UM, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ALL OVER THE STATE.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE 17 CHAPTERS AND THE AUSTIN CHAPTER IS JUST ONE COMPONENT OF OUR STATE ORGANIZATION.
UM, AND THEN WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD, WE DID A GREAT JOB WITH THAT.
BY THE WAY,
SO I JUST WANTED TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THAT.
WELL, LET'S DO A LITTLE PHOTO MAYBE.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE US? RIGHT HERE
[00:10:14]
GO.[Proclamation – National Public Health Week – To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes]
EVERYONE.I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY.
MY NAME IS VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN AND CHAIR OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.
WE ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK.
THIS YEAR'S THEME IS PROTECTING, CONNECTING AND THRIVING.
I AM JOINED HERE BY MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTAR, WHO ALSO SERVES ON OUR PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS OUR AMAZING AND HARDWORKING PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP TEAM AND STAFF TO HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEDICATED TEAM AND EMPHASIZE THEIR INTERCONNECTEDNESS AND COLLECTIVE SUPPORT AND IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW VERY CLEARLY HOW AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH HAD LED OUR RESPONSE TO COVID.
19 A PH SPEARHEADED THE DELIVERY OF FREQUENT AND LIFE-SAVING VACCINES AND PPE DRIVES SUCCESSFULLY ADMINIS AND THROUGHOUT ALL OF THEIR WORK THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, THEY'VE ADMINISTERED OVER 300,000 VACCINES, WHICH IS SIMPLY INCREDIBLE.
A PH CONTINUES TO THE MISSION OF SERVING AND KEEPING ALL AUSTINITE SAFE AND HEALTHY.
I ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO CHECK OUT THE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH WEBSITE FOR A FULL LIST OF ALL OF THE SERVICES OUR CITY PROVIDES FROM DIABETES CARE TO STI TESTING TO SUPPORT FOR NEW MOTHERS AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH OFFER SERVICES FOR EVERYONE.
AND EVEN HERE AT CITY HALL, WE HAVE, UM, SEVERAL TABLES OUT ON DISPLAY PROVIDING, UH, IN-PERSON INFORMATION AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
SO IT'S MY HONOR TO PROCLAIM AND AND PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING APRIL 1ST THROUGH APRIL 7TH AS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, AND TO CELEBRATE PUB THE PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF AS PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPIONS MAKING PUBLIC HEALTH A PRIORITY IN OUR CITY.
SO WITH THAT, I'M GONNA PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION, BE IT KNOWN THAT WE'RE AS THE WEEK OF APRIL 1ST THROUGH THE SEVENTH IS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, AND THE THEME IS PRONE, PROTECTING, CONNECTING AND THRIVING.
WE ARE ALL PUBLIC HEALTH, EMPHASIZING THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS AND COLLECTIVE SUPPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THE COLLECTIVE GOALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
AND WHEREAS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE PROGRESS IN PREVENTING DISEASE, PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND PREPAREDNESS.
AND WHEREAS AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH CONTINUES TO OFFER SERVICES THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS AN OPTIMAL QUALITY OF LIFE, HEALTH AND WELLBEING, FREE OF RACISM, POVERTY, AND OPPRESSION.
NOW THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES AUSTIN CITY COUNCILWOMAN, ALONG WITH MY CO COLLEAGUE COUNCILLOR RYAN ALTAR ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 1ST THROUGH APRIL 7TH AS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK HERE IN AUSTIN.
RECEIVING THIS PROCLAMATION IS OUR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ADRIAN STR.
GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, I APPRECIATE YOU, UM, SUPPORTING THIS PROCLAMATION.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE T-SHIRTS SAYS, I'M THAT SONG YOU SKIPPED THAT YOU LATER FOUND OUT WAS FLY
AND I THINK ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH IN THAT WAY.
UM, WE ARE ALWAYS IN THE BACKGROUND DOING AMAZING THINGS.
BACK IN THE DAY WHEN HOMELESSNESS WAS A SMALL THING, WE WERE IN COMMUNITY CREATING RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILDING THE FRAMEWORK THAT ALLOWED COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK WITH COUNCIL TO CREATE THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE.
UM, BACK IN THE DAY WHEN EASTERN CRESCENT WAS A NEW CATCHPHRASE, WE WERE DOING THAT WORK TALKING ABOUT HEALTH EQUITY.
AND WE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, LED THE WORK WITH COMMUNITY TO CREATE NOT ONLY SPECIFIC FUNDING FOR HEALTH EQUITY INITIATIVES, BUT TO FORM THE HEALTH EQUITY, THE EQUITY OFFICE.
UM, BACK IN THE DAY WHEN WE REALIZED THAT, YOU KNOW, WORKING FAMILIES NEEDED CHILDCARE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND TO SUPPORT THOSE NON-MEDICAL FACTORS OF HEALTH, WE WERE DOING THE GOOD WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO REALLY BRING THAT TO THE FOREFRONT.
AND NOW WE REALLY SEE SOME GOOD THINGS HAPPENING.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE PANDEMIC WAS A THING.
LIKE WE WERE OUT THERE, WE WERE DOING IT, BUT IN SO MANY WAYS, WE ARE HERE AND I'M SO PROUD OF THIS TEAM THAT WORKS TIRELESSLY TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY DOING THINGS, POOLS, RESTAURANTS, MOSQUITOES, WHITE POWDER INCIDENTS, AVIAN FLU,
[00:15:01]
ALL THE THINGS THAT WE DO.SO AUSTIN CAN CONTINUE TO BE GREAT.
UM, AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND I'M JUST SO THANKFUL FOR THIS TIME SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW THAT WE'RE THE SONG THAT'S OFTEN SKIPPED
AND THEN WE'LL DO A QUICK PHOTO.
YOU WANNA, SINCE WE'RE ALREADY STATIONED HERE, DO WANNA, WE'LL JUST DO THIS HERE.
[Proclamation – Donate Life Month – To be presented by Council Member Ryan Alter Distinguished Service Award – Brie Franco – To be presented by the City Manager’s Office]
ALRIGHT.WE ARE HERE TODAY TO PROCLAIM APRIL AS DONATE LIFE MONTH AND CELEBRATE THE LIVES SAVED THROUGH DONATION.
UH, AND WE WANT TO ASK THAT MORE PEOPLE REGISTER AS ORGAN DONORS WITH THE HELP OF THE WONDERFUL ADVOCATES AND ORGANIZATIONS HERE WE ARE HERE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMMENSE NEED AND LIFESAVING IMPACT OF ORGAN, EYE AND TISSUE DONATION.
MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ACROSS OUR COUNTRY, INCLUDING SOME HERE TODAY, ARE ABLE TO LIVE AND THRIVE BECAUSE OF GENEROS, BECAUSE OF THE GENEROSITY OF ORGAN DONORS.
AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR MYSELF.
GOT THE LITTLE HEART ON MY LICENSE SO IT'S EASY TO DO AND THE IMPACT IS INCREDIBLE.
AND IN 2023, OVER 46,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED LIFE-SAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANTS IN THE US AND JUST ONE ORGAN, ONE EYE OR T AND ONE TISSUE DONOR CAN SAVE OR HEAL 75 OR MORE PEOPLE.
OVER 15 MILLION TEXANS HAVE ADDED THEIR NAMES TO THE DONATE LIFE TEXAS REGISTRY.
BUT CURRENTLY OVER 10,000 TEXANS AWAIT A LIFE-SAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANT AND THE NEED GROWS DAILY.
WHILE THE IMPACT IS VERY LARGE, THE PROCESS IS VERY SMALL.
REGISTERING AS AN ORGAN DONOR CAN BE DONE QUICK AND EASILY@DONATELIFETEXAS.ORG.
SO TODAY I AM ASKING ALL OF AUSTIN TO JOIN ME IN SIGNING UP TO BE A REGISTERED DONOR.
AND WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO INVITE LEMO BRADSHAW, EXCUSE ME, OF UNITED TISSUE RESOURCE, SAY A FEW WORDS.
I AM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR UNITED TISSUE RESOURCES, BUT I AM ALSO THE DIRECT BENEFICIARY OF SOMEONE MAKING THE DECISION, ACTUALLY TWO FAMILIES MAKING THE DECISION TO ALLOW THEIR LOVED ONE TO BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR.
I HAD TWO HEART TRANSPLANTS PERFORMED HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS AT ASCENSION SEED MEDICAL CENTER, AUSTIN.
SO YOU CAN SEE I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS FOR A REASON.
ALL RIGHT, I STAND HERE TODAY.
LET ME INTRODUCE YOU WITH COLLEAGUES BESIDES THE COUNCILMAN, UH, FROM THE OREGON PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES CENTRAL TEXAS, THE AND SOUTH TEXAS, THE TEXAS OREGON SHARING ALLIANCE.
LEADING OUR STATEWIDE EFFORT IS MR. CHAD CARROLL FROM DONATE LIFE TEXAS.
HE IS OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND MY COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND MR. JEFF GILD FROM UNITED TISSUE RESOURCES.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN ADLER FOR A OR ALTER, I'M SORRY, FOR A VERY PUBLIC SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR THE MISSION OF SAVING AND HEALING THROUGH ORGAN EYE AND TISSUE DONATION.
NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH FOCUSES ATTENTION ON THE NEED FOR MORE PEOPLE TO CONSIDER REGISTERING AS DONORS.
BUT EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE TAKE A VERY PARTICULAR FORM IN A COUNTY THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SO RECEPTIVE TO OUR MESSAGE.
YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE, BUT AS WE MEET TODAY, 82% OF TRAVIS COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN CONS DECISIONS CONCERNING REGISTRATION.
THAT MEANS PEOPLE 18 AND OVER AND DON'T HAVE TO HAVE ANYONE ELSE'S PERMISSION HAVE ALREADY ADDED THEIR NAMES TO THE DONATE LIFE TEXAS REGISTRY.
82% OF THOSE ELIGIBLE THAT PUTS THIS COUNTY AMONG THE LEADERS IN PERCENTAGE, THE PERCENTAGE OF REGISTERED DONORS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
[00:20:01]
18% OR OR SO STILL DESERVE OUR ATTENTION AND WE WILL GIVE THEM OUR ATTENTION IN TRAVIS COUNTY, WE NOW ARE AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO WILL HELP US TO MAKE THOSE DONATION DECISIONS A REALITY, TO PROVIDE THEM WITH RESOURCES, THE RESOURCES THEY WILL NEED TO HELP US MAKE THOSE DECISIONS A REALITY THAT INCLUDES LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOSPITALS, FUNERAL HOMES, MEDICAL EXAMINERS, AND OTHERS INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.WE ARE CON WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING YOU AND WE WILL CONTINUE PROVIDING YOU THE SUPPORT THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS A REALITY, AUSTIN IS OUR HOME.
OUR HEADQUARTERS SIT JUST A FEW MILES FROM CITY HALL, BUT WE SERVE AN AREA THAT REACHES INTO THE FAR CORNERS OF OUR STATE.
AND THIS IS A VERY BIG JOB, ESPECIALLY FOR WHAT WE ARE, WHICH IS A MEDIUM SIZED ORGANIZATION.
WE DON'T HAVE UNLIMITED RESOURCES.
AND THAT IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS BUILT AND MAINTAINED THAT WILL HELP US IN THIS WORK.
I'VE SPOKEN OF THE TEXAS ORGAN SHARING ALLIANCE, BUT THERE IS ALSO MIRACLES, INSIGHT AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION THEM.
THEY ARE I DONATION COLLEAGUES, MIRACLES, INSIGHT, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERS AS WELL.
SO WHILE WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF TRAVIS COUNTY RE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY STATED THEIR SUPPORT BY ADDING THEIR NAMES TO THE REGISTRY, WE ARE ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF CITY GOVERNMENT IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN OUR EFFORT TO HELP TRAVIS COUNTY RESIDENTS DONATE LIFE.
ALRIGHT, SO NOW WE ARE GOING TO PROCLAIM, SO BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH AND WHEREAS OVER 100,000 AMERICANS CURRENTLY WAIT A LIFESAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANT INCLUDING 10,000 TEXANS.
AND WHEREAS JUST ONE EYE, ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR CAN SAVE OR HEAL 75 OR MORE PEOPLE.
AND WHEREAS IN 2023, OVER 46,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED LIFESAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANTS.
79,000 PEOPLE HAD THEIR SITE RESTORED THROUGH CORNEAL TRANSPLANTATION AND 2.5 MILLION LIVES WERE SAVED OR HEALED USING DONATED TISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND WHEREAS OVER 15 MILLION TEXANS HAVE ADDED THEIR NAMES TO THE DONATE LIFE TEXAS REGISTRY, THE OFFICIAL REGISTRY FOR ORGAN, EYE AND TISSUE DONATION IN OUR STATE.
AND WHEREAS WE ENCOURAGE ALL AUSTINITES TO ADD THEIR NAMES TO THE DONATE LIFE TEXAS REGISTRY, SO WE CAN GET THAT LAST 18%.
SO NOW THEREFORE I RYAN ALTER ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 4TH, 2024 AS DONATE LIFE DAY IN AUSTIN.
ALRIGHT, LET'S TAKE A, A PICTURE.
WE CAN, UH, HERE, WE'LL SCOOT OVER TO THIS SIDE HERE.
[Additional Item*]
IS A BITTERSWEET DAY.WE SAY GOODBYE AND WISH ONE OF OUR FEARLESS LEADERS WELL AS SHE GOES INTO OUR NEXT, UH, JOURNEY.
AND IT'S A GOOD JOURNEY 'CAUSE SHE'S MOVING TO ITALY AND WE'RE ALL VERY JEALOUS OF THAT.
UM, SO AS I SAID, IT'S BITTERSWEET.
IF YOU KNOW BRI FRANCO, YOU KNOW THAT SHE IS FOUGHT FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN FEARLESSLY CONTINUOUSLY THROUGH MANY YEARS.
SHE HAS BEEN BRAVE AND BOLD AND SHE'S DEFENDED AND FOUGHT FOR US AS A CITY.
AND FOR THAT OUR CITY IS BETTER FOR, SHE ALSO TELLS IT LIKE IT IS
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN SHE SAYS SOMETHING, SHE MEANS IT AND IT'S THE TRUTH.
WHEN SHE SAYS BE SCARED, WE NEED TO BE SCARED.
BUT WE ARE ALL VERY HAPPY THAT SHE'S FOR HER NEW LIFE WITH HER AND HER FAMILY IN ITALY, AND WE HOPE TO VISIT HER FROM TIME TO TIME.
SO I'M GONNA READ THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR HER UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND FIERCE ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
UH, DURING HER EIGHT YEAR TENURE AS A DEDICATED EMPLOYEE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, BRI
[00:25:01]
FRANCO IS DESERVING OF PUBLIC A, A CLAIM AND RECOGNITION.THE CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION THEREOF THIS FOURTH DAY OF APRIL IN THE YEAR 2024, AND SIGNED BY OUR MAYOR KIRK WATSON ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY COUNCIL.
UM, THANK YOU VERONICA, AND THANK YOU FOR SUCH, YOU KNOW, KIND AND THOUGHTFUL WORDS AND ALWAYS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
UM, I WANNA THANK THE CITY FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THE CITY, TO FIGHT FOR THE CITY, TO DEFEND THE CITY.
UM, I WISH MY DAD COULD BE HERE.
HE ALWAYS TOLD ME EVERY MORNING WHEN HE DROPPED ME OFF FOR SCHOOL TO GO GET HIM EVERY DAY HE TOLD ME THAT.
AND I GUESS THAT'S WHY I, I HAD THAT SPIRIT.
I ALWAYS, WHEN THINGS GOT TOUGH THOUGHT TO MYSELF, GO GET HIM.
AND I TELL MY DAUGHTER THAT THE SAME THING WHEN I DROP HER OFF EVERY MORNING, EVEN AT 4-YEAR-OLD
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.
IT, I LIVED HERE HALF OF MY LIFE AND IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND HAVE MY DAUGHTER AND I COULDN'T HAVE HAD ANY OF THAT WITHOUT THIS GREAT COMMUNITY AND THESE GREAT EMPLOYEES.
AND I WANNA THANK MY STAFF FOR JUST BEING THE ROCK THAT LET ME BE AS GOOD AS I COULD BE.
THAT I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU ALL.
I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT SUPPORTED EVERYTHING THAT WE DID.
I WANNA THANK THIS EVERY STAFF ADMINISTRATION HERE AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT LOVE WHAT THEY DO AND DO IT WITH ALL THEIR HEART.
SO THANK YOU ALL VERY, VERY MUCH.
HOW ARE WE DOING? DO YOU WANT?
[Additional Item*]
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.MY NAME IS MACKENZIE KELLY AND I'M A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, REPRESENTING DISTRICT SIX IN FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN.
TODAY I AM JOINED BY, UM, CHRISTIE CARLSON ROMANO, HER HUSBAND BRENDAN AND THEIR TWO GIRLS.
AND IT'S WITH GREAT HONOR TODAY THAT WE GATHER TO RECOGNIZE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, A CAUSE THAT TOUCHES THE VERY ESSENCE OF HUMANITY.
IN A JOURNEY TOWARDS DE-STIGMATIZING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, WE MUST HIGHLIGHT THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO TIRELESSLY ADVOCATE FOR UNDERSTANDING COMPASSION AND CHANGE.
AND TODAY WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO STAND ALONGSIDE ONE SUCH ADVOCATE, CHRISTIE CARLSON ROMANO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
CHRISTIE'S COURAGE IN SHARING HER STRUGGLES WITH MENTAL HEALTH HAS NOT ONLY SPARKED CONVERSATIONS, BUT ALSO IGNITED A BEACON OF HOPE FOR COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS FACING SIMILAR BATTLES.
THROUGH HER OPENNESS, SHE HAS SHATTERED BARRIERS OF SILENCE AND SHAME, PAVING THE WAY FOR EMPATHY AND SUPPORT TO FLOURISH.
HER UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO DE-STIGMATIZING MENTAL ILLNESS SERVES AS A GUIDING LIGHT, REMINDING US ALL OF THE POWER OF VULNERABILITY AND RESILIENCE AS WE PROCLAIM KRISTY CARLSON ROMANO MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
LET US REAFFIRM OUR DEDICATION TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF ACCEPTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE NAVIGATING MENTAL HEALTH'S COMPLEXITIES.
LET US AMPLIFY CHRISTY'S MESSAGE OF HOPE AND UNDERSTANDING, ENSURING THAT NO ONE FEELS ALONE IN THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS HEALING.
MAY THIS PROCLAMATION SYMBOLIZE OUR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT AND A CALL TO ACTION TO PRIORITIZE MENTAL WELLBEING IN ALL OF OUR LIVES TOGETHER.
LET'S STRIVE TO CREATE A WORLD WHERE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ARE MET WITH COMPASSION.
SEEKING HEALTH IS HELP IS SEEN AS AN ACT OF STRENGTH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL FEELS EMPOWERED TO EMBRACE THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS WHOLENESS.
THANK YOU, CHRISTIE, FOR YOUR COURAGE, YOUR ADVOCACY, AND YOUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF SO MANY.
YOUR VOICE IS A BEACON OF HOPE AND YOUR IMPACT IS IMMEASURABLE.
[00:30:01]
TOGETHER LET US CONTINUE TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AND ENSURE IT'S SEEN, HEARD AND VALUED IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR COMMUNITIES.I'LL NOW READ THE PROCLAMATION.
IT SAYS, AND THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART, I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD SAY IT WITH ACCENT OF SOME SORT.
NO, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE AND RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
AND WHEREAS CHRISTIE CARLSON ROMANO, AN ACCOMPLISHED ACTRESS, SINGER, AND ADVOCATE, HAS BRAVELY SHARED HER JOURNEY WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, INSPIRING COUNTLESS IN OTHER INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK HELP AND SUPPORT.
AND WHEREAS CHRISTY CARLSON ROMANO HAS DEMONSTRATED UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY USING HER PLATFORM TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING, EMPATHY AND RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN NEED.
AND WHEREAS BY PROCLAIMING APRIL, AS CHRISTY CARLSON ROMANO MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TODAY IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WE HONOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY AND REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS ON THEIR JOURNEY TO WELLNESS.
AND WHEREAS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WE URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN IN RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND SUPPORTING THOSE WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING BY HELPING THEM IN ALL THE WAYS WE CAN NOW.
THEREFORE, I AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MCKENZIE KELLY, UM, AND WITH MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL, 2024 AS CHRISTY CARLSON ROMANO MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND I WILL PRESENT TO YOU THE PROCLAMATION.
UM, CHRISSY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, WE'D WE'D BE HAPPY FOR YOU TO SHARE.
I WOULD BE HAPPY AND SO HONORED.
UM, HOLD ON, LET ME UNLOCK MY PHONE.
I WOULD OBVIOUSLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THIS MAGNIFICENT COUNCILWOMAN HERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR BEING THE MOST WELCOMING PLACE THAT I HAVE EVER CALLED HOME.
YOU ALMOST MOVED ME TO TEARS IN 2020, MY FAMILY AND I MOVED HERE AMID THE PANDEMIC WITH A DREAM TO FIND COMMUNITY IN TRUTH.
MY HUSBAND AND I HAD BEEN FEELING ISOLATED IN CALIFORNIA FOR YEARS PRIOR.
IT WAS NOT EASY TO FEEL KINDRED TO A CITY LIKE HOLLYWOOD WHERE EVERYONE TAKES AND SELDOM GIVES BACK.
OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE TRIED TO BECOME A BEACON OF UNIFYING OTHERS WHO GREW UP IN AN INDUSTRY WITH AN UNSUPPORTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IN CHILDREN, SPECIFICALLY MY PODCAST COMPANY.
OUR PODCAST COMPANY, POD CO, WHICH OPERATES HERE IN CALIFORNIA, HAS REPEATEDLY CREATED AVENUES FOR SUCH A COMMUNITY WITH MULTIPLE PODCASTS THAT OPENLY DISCUSS ALL ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH IN MEDIA.
EVERY DAY SINCE NOVEMBER, 2020, I HAVE BEEN IN A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO AUSTIN AND MY FELLOW AUSTINITES.
FROM ITS ROBUST FOOD AND MUSIC SCENES SPECTACULAR VISTAS, PICTURESQUE BLUE BONNETS, KISSING THE VAST FREEWAYS.
THERE'S TOO MANY ENDEARING ASPECTS TO LIST.
I KNEW AUSTIN WAS DIFFERENT WHEN WE EXPERIENCED THE FREEZE AND NEIGHBORS WERE DROPPING OFF FIREWOOD FOR EACH OTHER AND MASSIVE LOCAL GROCERY STORE CORPORATIONS OPENED THEIR DOORS TO FOLKS TO DONATE FOOD TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS CITY IS THE CAPITAL OF MY HEART.
AND WHILE I AM NOT NATIVE, I AM PROUD THAT MY DAUGHTERS WILL GROW UP HERE KNOWING THE TRUE MEANING OF COMMUNITY.