[00:00:04]
[Proclamation – International Fraud Awareness Week – To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes]
EVERYONE.I'M VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN, REPRESENTING DISTRICT TWO AND HERE TODAY FOR A VERY SPECIAL PROCLAMATION.
THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING ME TO RECOGNIZE INTERNATIONAL FRAUD AWARENESS WEEK, ALSO KNOWN AS FRAUD WEEK.
SINCE 2000, FRAUD WEEK HAS ENCOURAGED ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE WORLD TO SHARE ANTI-FRAUD EDUCATION WITH THEIR STAFF STAKEHOLDERS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS AND WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE ARE ALL AT RISK OF FRAUD, AND IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE OR HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES, WE ALSO CAN BECOME VICTIMS AND OR, AND OR OUR FAMILY OR LOVED ONES CAN BECOME VICTIMS OF FRAUD.
SO TODAY'S AWARENESS WEEK AND CELEBRATION AND RECOGNITION IS IMPORTANT.
WE RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS, THE WORLD'S LARGE, LARGEST ORGANIZATION OF ANTI-FRAUD PROFESSIONALS WITH MORE THAN 90,000 MEMBERS AND MORE THAN 200 CHAPTERS AROUND THE WORLD.
A CFE NOT ONLY PROVIDES CERTIFICATION CREDENTIALS, ANTI-FRAUD RESEARCH AND RESOURCES, BUT ALSO BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE THREAT OF FRAUD AND HOW PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS CAN PRESENT, CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES.
AND SO I'M THRILLED TO PRESENT THIS YEAR'S PROCLAMATION TO AFES CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOHN WARREN, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THIS WEEK MARKS THE OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL FRAUD AWARENESS WEEK, WHICH IS SET ASIDE TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF FRAUD UPON OUR SOCIETY.
AND WHEREAS THE ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS AN ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERED IN AUSTIN, DEDICATED TO THE MISSION OF REDUCING THE INCIDENTS OF FRAUD WORLDWIDE, ESTIMATES THAT A TYPICAL ORGANIZATION LOSES 5% OF ITS REVENUE EACH YEAR TO FRAUD.
AND WHEREAS INCREASING EMPLOYEE AWARENESS OF FRAUD, INCLUDING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM AND EDUCATING EMPLOYEES ABOUT FRAUD PREVENTION, DETECTION, AND REPORTING TECHNIQUES IS CRITICAL TO REDUCING THE INCIDENTS OF FRAUD AGAINST AND WITHIN ORGANIZATIONS.
NOW THEREFORE, I COUNCILMAN VANESSA FUENTES ON BEHALF OF OUR MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 17TH THROUGH THE 23RD, 2024 AS INTERNATIONAL FRAUD AWARENESS WEEK IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UH, FRAUD WEEK IS AN EXCITING TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE IT BRINGS TOGETHER ORGANIZATIONS OF ALL KINDS TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION, ABOUT THE VALUE OF FRAUD RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, AND ABOUT THE VERY REAL DANGER THAT FRAUD POSES AT LAST CHECK.
MORE THAN 1600 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SIGNED UP AS SUPPORTERS OF THIS YEAR'S FRAUD WEEK.
THESE ARE CORPORATIONS, AGENCIES, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE USING THIS WEEK TO HOST TRAINING EVENTS AND ONLINE WEBINARS TO SHARE RESOURCES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TO GENERAL GENERALLY RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT FRAUD.
ORGANIZATIONS OF ALL SIZES PARTICIPATE IN FRAUD WEEK.
THERE ARE LARGER COMPANIES THAT ARE PART OF THE A CFES CORPORATE ALLIANCE PROGRAM, SUCH AS WALMART AND STATE FARM AND GENERAL MOTORS, BUT ALSO AROUND CENTRAL TEXAS.
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ROUND ROCK ISD ARE PARTICIPATING IN FRAUD WEEK.
THIS YEAR, THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ARE HELPING RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF FRAUD HERE IN OUR CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUNITY.
FRAUD AND FINANCIAL CRIME AFFECTS ORGANIZATIONS OF ALL SIZES AND ACROSS EVERY INDUSTRY.
THIS INCLUDES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, LARGE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS, SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS.
A TYPICAL CASE OF OCCUPATIONAL FRAUD COSTS IN ORGANIZATION ABOUT $145,000, BUT LOSS IS VERY FREQUENTLY RUN INTO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OR EVEN HIGHER ON A GLOBAL SCALE.
AS COUNCILWOMAN FUENTES NOTED, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT FRAUD COSTS HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS AND POTENTIALLY TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE DRAINED OUT OF OUR ECONOMY EVERY YEAR.
THAT'S MONEY THAT SHOULD BE SPENT ON PAYING WAGES AND RAISING STANDARDS OF LIVING SHOULD BE SPENT ON DEVELOPING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPING CURES FOR DISEASES AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE NEEDY.
BUT INSTEAD, THAT MONEY'S GOING INTO THE POCKETS OF CRIMINALS.
AND THAT'S WHY RAISING FRAUD AWARENESS ABOUT, OR THAT'S WHY RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT FRAUD RISK IS SO IMPORTANT TO HELP US CREATE A CULTURE OF VIGILANCE WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATIONS.
[00:05:01]
43% OF FRAUDS ARE DETECTED BY WHISTLEBLOWER TIPS, MOSTLY FROM EMPLOYEES.WE'VE SEEN THAT ORGANIZATIONS WITH EVEN BASIC FRAUD AWARENESS TRAINING CAN GREATLY REDUCE THE INCIDENT AND LOSSES CAUSED BY FRAUD.
WHEN EMPLOYEES KNOW HOW TO SPOT THE RED FLAGS AND WARNING SIGNS OF FRAUD, EVERYONE BECOMES THE EYES AND EARS OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS PROTECT OUR BUSINESSES, OUR NONPROFITS, AND OUR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
SO ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS, I WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN FUENTES AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL FRAUD AWARENESS WEEK.
WE ARE HONORED TO CALL AUSTIN OUR HOME, AND WE ARE HONORED TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE ONGOING FIGHT TO COMBAT FRAUD AND FINANCIAL CRIME.
PODIUM, WE EVERYBODY? YEAH, THAT'D BE GREAT.
JUST A LITTLE BIT TIGHTER, AUSTIN.
[Proclamation – DJ Chicken George Day – To be presented by Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison]
MORNING, AUSTIN, TEXAS.I'M NATASHA HARPER MADISON, PROUD REPRESENTATIVE ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR DISTRICT ONE.
I AM JOINED TODAY BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF DJ CHICKEN GEORGE.
IN HONOR OF THIS FANTASTIC PROCLAMATION WE'RE ABOUT TO PRESENT FOR ONE OF AUSTIN'S FINEST CREATIVES.
UM, ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AS A MUSIC LOVER, AS AN AUSTINITE TO MOVE AND GROOVE AND FREE MY MIND AND MY BODY TO THE ARTISTRY PRODUCED BY DJ CHICKEN GEORGE.
TODAY WE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE INCREDIBLE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DJ CHICKEN GEORGE BORN JEFFREY HENRY, A NAME THAT BECAME SYNONYMOUS WITH CREATIVITY, SOUL, AND AUSTIN'S VIBRANT MUSIC SCENE.
DJ CHICKEN GEORGE WAS MORE THAN JUST A DJ.
HE WAS AN ARTIST, A VISIONARY, AND A CHAMPION OF BLACK MUSIC IN ALL ITS FORMS. THROUGH HIS UNIQUE STYLE, WHICH HE CALLED JAZZ CHRONICLE, HE BLENDED SOUL, FUNK, HOUSE JAZZ AND ELECTRONICA INTO SOMETHING TRULY ORIGINAL AND UNFORGETTABLE.
HIS TALENT AND DEDICATION TOOK HIM FAR BEYOND AUSTIN.
HIS SIGNATURE SOUND RE RESONATED ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND AROUND THE GLOBE, EARNING HIM AND HIS FANS ARE EARNING HIM FANS AND COLLABORATIONS EVERYWHERE.
HE REGULARLY OPENED FOR LEGENDS LIKE SNOOP DOGG, ERICA BADU, AND GRANDMA MASTER FLASH, PROVING THAT HIS ARTISTRY STOOD SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH SOME OF THE GREATS.
AND AUSTIN DJ CHICKEN GEORGE WAS A CREATIVE POWERHOUSE, A UNIFYING FORT.
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSIC COMMUNITY WENT WELL BEYOND SPINNING RECORDS.
HE WAS A PRODUCER, A CO-FOUNDER OF A RECORD LABEL AND A CURATOR WHO NURTURED AND ELEVATED THE TALENT AROUND HIM LIKE TRUE CREATIVES DO.
HIS HIP HOP PROJECT THIRD ROUTE BROUGHT TOGETHER INCREDIBLE MUSICIANS LIKE BLACK PUMAS GRUPO FSMA, AND CULMINATING IN THEIR 2020 ALBUM.
PASSION OF THE POETS JEFF HENRY, ALSO KNOWN AS DJ CHICKEN GEORGE WAS AN ALWAYS WILL BE A CORNERSTONE OF AUSTIN'S MUSIC CULTURE.
HIS CREATIVITY, HIS COLLABORATION, AND HIS BOUNDLESS ENERGY EARNED HIM A PLACE IN AUSTIN'S UNOFFICIAL MOUNT RUSHMORE OF DJS.
THOUGH HE IS NO LONGER WITH US IN PERSON, HIS IMPACT AND LEGACY LIVE ON IN THE MUSIC, THE MEMORIES AND THE LIVES HE TOUCHED TODAY, WE HONOR HIS REMARKABLE JOURNEY AND CELEBRATE THE JOY HE BROUGHT TO SO MANY DJ CHICKEN GEORGE WILL FOREVER BE A PART OF THE SOUL OF AUSTIN.
I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE'RE JOINED TODAY BY HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND TWIN BROTHER WHOSE BIRTHDAY IT ALSO IS TODAY.
SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHICKEN GEORGE, REST IN POWER.
UM, AND WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO PR UH, TO READ A PROCLAMATION THAT WE HAVE DJ CHICKEN GEORGE DAY PROCLAMATION PROUDLY PRODUCED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS JEFFREY HENRY KNOWN POPULARLY AS DJ CHICKEN GEORGE WAS A FORCE IN AUSTIN'S MUSIC SCENE.
NOT ONLY DID HE CONTRIBUTE TO THE FOR TO THE PHENOMENAL WORK OF HIS BAND THIRD ROUTE, BUT HE ALSO WAS A PIONEER OF JAZZ TRO AND A CHAMPION OF BLACK MUSIC.
AND WHEREAS DJ CHICKEN GEORGE PERFORMED IN AT NOTABLE VENUES AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY FROM BLUES ON THE GREEN AND THE TEXAS MONTHLY LIVE PERFORMANCE OF
[00:10:01]
THE AUSTIN MUSIC AWARDS AND SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST.WHEREAS WHILE HE BE DEARLY MISSED BY HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, COMMUNITY, AND FANS, HIS SPIRIT AND HIS WORK LIVES ON AND CONTINUES TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO REACH THEIR MUSICAL GOALS.
NOW THEREFORE, I COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, ALONG WITH THE MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024 AS DJ CHICKEN GEORGE DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I'D LIKE TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO THE FAMILY.
AND IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO TAKE THE PODIUM.
YEAH, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
SO I'M, I'M RUSSELL JEFFREY'S OLDER BROTHER, AND I WANT TO JUST WANNA SHARE SOMETHING REAL QUICK ABOUT HIM.
IT'S OUR BROTHER, THE DJ WHO MOVED HEARTS WITH EVERY BEAT.
JEFFY PASSION FOR MUSIC WAS MORE THAN JUST RHYTHM.
IT WAS A FORCE THAT CONNECTS PEOPLE, CREATED MEMORIES, AND MADE EVERY MOMENT UNFORGETTABLE.
WATCHING HIM PERFORM, CONTROLLING THE TEMPO OF THE ROOM ALWAYS BROUGHT ENERGY AND MAGIC TO EVERY CROWD.
JEFFREY TALENT IS UNDENIABLE, BUT IT WAS HIS DEDICATION, HEART AND RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF PERFECTION THAT TRULY SET HIM APART.
HIS WORKMANSHIP SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT US ALL TO ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR PASSION, STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF, AND IT'S THE POWER OF MUSIC THAT WILL ALWAYS HEAL, INSPIRE, AND UNITE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
JEFFREY WASN'T JUST A DJ, JEFFREY WAS AN ARTIST, A STORYTELLER, AND AN INSPIRATION.
PROUD OF CALLING MY BROTHER, MADE HIS GREATNESS CONTINUED TO SHINE ON THE TRAILS THAT HE BLAZED WITH HIS UNIQUE STYLE FOREVER.
ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS BEFORE WE GET A GROUP LATER? AUSTIN, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
I'M BROOKLYN, UM, HIS DAUGHTER.
I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND THIS DAY MEANS SO MUCH TO ME AND MY FAMILY.
MY DAD LOVED AUSTIN, I LOVE AUSTIN AS WELL.
I ALWAYS SAY IT'S MY SECOND HOME.
SO TO HAVE A DAY DEDICATED TO HIM ON HIS BIRTHDAY AS WELL AS MY UNCLES, IT MEANS A LOT TO US.
AND THEN JUST FINALLY, I GUESS, UM, YOU KNOW, JEFFREY WAS, UH, MY OTHER HALF AND I JUST THINK, UM, THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO HONOR HIS LEGACY ON THE SPECIAL DAY 'CAUSE IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY TODAY.
UM, AND SO JUST THANK YOU TO EVERYONE.
IF Y'ALL WANT, WE CAN STEP IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM AND TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH AND THEN I'LL JUMP OUT OF THE WAY.
[Proclamation – Queen Deelah Day – To be presented by Council Member Natash Harper-Madison]
TEXAS.I'M NATASHA HARPER MADISON, PROUD REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT ONE.
IT IS MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PLEASURE TODAY TO BE PRESENTING THIS PROCLAMATION TO QUEEN FILA MUHI, BETTER KNOWN TO US ALL AS QUEEN DLA.
SHE'S A MULTI-TALENTED ARTIST, ACTRESS, ACTIVIST, MODEL, PRODUCER AND ENTREPRENEUR, A TRUE FORCE OF NATURE.
UM, AS A PERSONAL ANECDOTE, I MET QUEEN DLA DOING THE WORK THAT SHE DOES SO GENEROUSLY IN OUR COMMUNITY AT, UM, ELLO CAMPBELL ELEMENTARY, TEACHING OUR YOUNG SCHOLARS ABOUT MUSIC AND ARTISTRY, AND MAYBE MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE BUSINESS OF BEING A WORKING ARTIST.
ORIGINALLY FROM OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, QUEEN DELA MADE THE BOLD MOVE TO AUSTIN, TEXAS IN 2008 TO CREATE A NEW LIFE FOR HERSELF AND HER SON.
THANKFULLY FOR ALL OF US, THAT JOURNEY BROUGHT HER RIGHT HERE TO THE CAPITAL CITY WHERE SHE HAS BECOME A SHINING LIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
QUEEN DEALER'S LEADERSHIP SKILLS WERE NURTURED EARLY IN LIFE BY POWERFUL TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN HIGH SCHOOL WHO RECOGNIZED HER POTENTIAL AND CONNECTED HER TO A RICH HISTORY OF ORGANIZING.
THOSE EXPERIENCES LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE REMARKABLE WOMAN SHE IS HERE WITH US TODAY.
SINCE ARRIVING IN AUSTIN, QUEEN DEALER HAS NOT ONLY EVOLVED AS AN ARTIST, BUT AS A PERSON EMBRACING A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY OF HEALING AND GROWTH.
SHE HAS USED HER PERSONAL EVOLUTION AS A BLUEPRINT, INSPIRING OTHERS TO RECREATE THEMSELVES AND TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS. THAT'S RIGHT.
[00:15:01]
WHAT I ADMIRE MOST ABOUT QUEEN DELA IS HER UNWAVERING POSITIVITY.SHE FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT A SINGLE POSITIVE THOUGHT CAN TRANSFORM THE WORLD.
UM, AND AGAIN, ON A PERSONAL NOTE, ENDING EVERY PHONE CALL WITH PEACE.
EVERY SINGLE DAY MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN HER MEDICINE, AND HER INTENTION IS TO INFUSE IT WITH THE DIVINE HEALING FREQUENCIES.
TO SPARK CONVERSATIONS, INSPIRE ACTION, AND TO CREATE CHANGE THROUGH HER LIMITLESS CREATIVITY.
QUEEN DELA USES HER VOICE, HER ART, AND HER LIFE AS A TESTAMENT TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE.
SHE REMINDS US REGULARLY TO THAT DREAMS ARE WITHIN REACH AND THAT HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION ARE NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT ABSOLUTELY POWERFUL.
TODAY WE HONOR QUEEN DELA NOT JUST FOR WHAT SHE'S ACHIEVED, BUT FOR THE HOPE, POSITIVITY AND INSPIRATION THAT SHE BRINGS TO ALL OF US.
SHE'S A BEACON OF LIGHT AND WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE HER AS A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION FROM US AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THEN OPEN THE MICROPHONE FOR FOLKS WHO'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW KIND WORDS, AND MAYBE SHE'LL EVEN SHARE A FEW WITH US.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS QUEEN DELA HAS A LIFELONG PASSION FOR MUSIC, STARTING FROM THE EARLY AGE OF FIVE IN THE CHURCH CHOIR, AND HAS SINCE LAUNCHED HERSELF TO BECOMING ONE OF THE BEST FEMALE LYRICISTS TO TOUCH THE MICROPHONE TO THAT I CAN ATTEST.
WHEREAS THROUGH HER WORK, QUEEN DELA HAS GAINED THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF MANY THROUGH HER MOVEMENT, WITH A NATURAL SWAGGER AND UNMISTAKABLE CONFIDENCE THAT LEAVES CROWDS STUNNED.
AND WHEREAS QUEEN DIAZ'S GRACE AND CLASS FILLS THE VOID FOR THE UNDERREPRESENTED FEMALE MC AND THE HIP HOP MUSIC SCENE, BRINGING A UNIQUE OAKLAND BORN PERSPECTIVE TO THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
NOW, THEREFORE, I COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, ALONG WITH THE MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024 AS QUEEN DELA DAY IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS? PLEASE DO.
I'LL STEP ASIDE FOR THE QUEEN.
UM, WHAT AN HONOR, UM, TO BE GIVEN THIS DAY.
UM, COMING HERE IN 2008, I JUST NEEDED A, A SPACE TO HEAL FROM COMING FROM THE STREETS OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
AND I DIDN'T IMAGINE BEING HERE TODAY, BUT MY GRANDMOTHER, UM, WHO IS SOMEONE OF HIGH FAITH, TOLD ME TO STICK THROUGH IT BECAUSE GOD HAS SOMETHING GREAT FOR ME.
AND TODAY IS JUST THE MANIFESTATION OF HER VISION AND OF THE THINGS THAT SHE SAW FOR ME, BEING HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, UM, IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO BUILD COMMUNITY, BUT WHEN I DID, I'M SO GRATEFUL AND HONORED, UM, THAT SO MANY PEOPLE EMBRACED ME AND, UH, BELIEVED AND POURED SO MUCH INTO ME SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE, UH, THE WORK AND THE LEGACY THAT I STARTED IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
UM, AGAIN, I MEAN, JUST LOOKING AT MY FAMILY, UM, WE, WE COME FROM A PLACE WHERE A LOT OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DIDN'T SURVIVE, YOU KNOW, COMING OUT OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
SO I DO NOT TAKE THIS, UH, PROCLAMATION AND ITS HONOR LIGHTLY.
I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO, UM, NATASHA HARPER MADISON, AND TO, UH, ALL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE SO THAT I CAN INSPIRE OTHERS, UM, TO PERSEVERE THROUGH ANY ADVERSITY, ANY CHALLENGES THAT YOU ARE FACED WITH.
KNOW THAT, UM, WITH FAITH AND WITH SELF LOVE AND LOVE FOR YOUR FAMILY, LOVE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, THAT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
AND SO FOR THAT, I AM TRULY GRATEFUL AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY FAMILY FOR ALL OF THE LOVE AND SUPPORT THAT YOU GIVE ME AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UM, TO CONTINUE TO KEEP STRIVING, BUT NOT STRIVING, BUT THRIVING.
AND FOR THAT, AGAIN, I SAY I'M GRATEFUL, SO THANK YOU.
ANY FAMILY MEMBERS CARE TO SHARE? YOU WANT OH, HONEST WORDS,
[00:20:01]
UM, I WAS BLESSED WITH, UM, GETTING A BONUS MOMMY QUEEN DEALER.
UM, SHE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT MORE THAN A FRIEND TO ME.
SHE HAS BEEN MORE THAN JUST A MOMMY.
SHE HAS BEEN SOMEONE WHERE, WHERE, UM, I CAN ALWAYS COME TO AND I CAN LEAN ON WHEN I HAVE ISSUES.
SHE'S BEEN SOMEONE WHO I COULD LEAN ON WHEN I'M DOWN, WHEN I'M UP.
SO I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO EVERYWHERE AND EVERYONE THANK YOU.
WELL, FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO JUST CONGRATULATE MY MOM ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT SHE'S ACHIEVED AND SHE'S COME SO FAR AND I WOULDN'T BE HERE MYSELF WITHOUT HER.
AND I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR HER AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
DO YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING? UM, AS THE MOTHER OF THE QUEEN, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I AM TRULY GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE, FOR THE SUPPORT, THE LOVE, AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYTHING.
I LOVE EVERYTHING YOU ARE AND BELIEVE IN EVERYTHING YOU DO.
YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING TOO? YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING LIKE, TO SAY SOMETHING? YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING QUEEN, PLEASE STEP UP.
I'LL AIM THIS DOWN A LITTLE BIT SO WE CAN HEAR YOU PERFECTLY.
SO MY MOM IS THE GREATEST PERSON THAT SHE COULD EVER BE.
SHE HELPED ME ACHIEVE MY DREAMS, JUST LIKE HOW I CAN HELP HER TOO.
SO I JUST LOVE HER VERY MUCH BECAUSE SHE'S JUST, I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR HER.
Y'ALL WANNA GET A PICTURE? YES.
LET'S STEP IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM, THE QUEEN CENTER.
[Proclamation – Distracted Driving Awareness Day – To be presented by Council Member José “Chito” Vela]
MORNING.I'M COUNCIL MEMBER CHITO VELA.
PROUD TO REPRESENT DISTRICT FOUR.
AND WE'RE HERE TO RECOGNIZE A 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF AUSTIN'S DISTRACTED DRIVING.
UH, I'M EXCITED TO PRESENT TODAY'S PROCLAMATION, UH, REGARDING THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
DISTRACTED DRIVING CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN TRAFFIC INJURIES AND FATALITIES, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNGER PEOPLE.
LIKE MANY CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AUSTIN ADOPTED OLA PROHIBITING THE USE OF A MOBILE DEVICE WHILE DRIVING IN 2014.
RESEARCH SHOWS HOWEVER THAT THESE POLICIES ARE MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN THERE IS STRONG PUBLIC AWARENESS.
THIS 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROVIDES US THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE TO REMIND THEM THAT DISTRACTED DRIVING IS ILLEGAL IN AUSTIN.
UH, I'M JOINED TODAY BY AUSTIN, UH, POLICE DEPARTMENT, UH, ASSISTANT CHIEF, UH, ROBIN HENDERSON AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRANS, UH, TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
AND, UH, MEMBERS OF, UH, SAFE STREETS AUSTIN, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO REDUCING TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND INJURIES.
UH, REALLY ENJOYED THEIR EVENT LAST NIGHT.
UH, A GREAT ORGANIZATION THAT, UH, IS TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE HERE IN AUSTIN.
I'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND HAND THINGS OVER NOW TO SCOTT JOHNSON, WHO CHAIRED THE WORKING GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STAFF THAT HELPED DRAFT THE ORDINANCE, UH, PASSED BY COUNCIL IN 2014.
SCOTT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE SOME REMARKS? YES, THANK YOU.
THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT DISTRACTED DRIVING THREATENS THIS HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL ROAD USERS SHOULD FIRST LOOK INWARD AND MODEL SAFE PRACTICES TO THE HIGHEST EXTENT POSSIBLE FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE IN YOUR VEHICLE AND THE COMMUNITY.
N THREE DRIVING IS ALLOWED UNDER AUSTIN'S DISTRACTED DRIVING ORDINANCE, BUT STUDIES DEMONSTRATE THERE'S STILL A SIGN SIGNIFICANT COGNITIVE DISTRACTION WHEN YOUR MIND IS OCCUPIED WITH A CALL.
THE ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT TOUCHING OR HOLDING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING IS AGAINST THE LAW.
THIS WOULD ALSO INCLUDE SMART WATCHES WITH INTERNET PAGERS, KINDLES, AND MORE FROM A NATIONAL STUDY ON DISTRACTED DRIVING FROM 2024, IT STATES THAT DRIVERS INTERACTED WITH THEIR PHONES
[00:25:01]
ON NEARLY 58% OF TRIPS IN 2022.THAT'S AN 8% INCREASE FROM BEFORE.
34% OF PHONE MOTION DISTRACTION HAPPENS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR, THE HIGHEST RATE IN THREE YEARS.
SO HOW DO WE RAISE AWARENESS ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE COLLISIONS, INJURIES AND FATALITIES ATTRIBUTED TO DISTRACTED DRIVING.
ONE IS A RENEWED AWARENESS CAMPAIGN THAT COLLABORATES WITH TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC WORKS, AND A PD AND ANY OTHERS, INCLUDING THE PIOS AND THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT FROM THE CITY.
THERE ACTUALLY ARE SOME VIDEOS ONLINE.
ONE IS ONLY 16 SECONDS CAN BE FOUND BY SEARCHING FOR CITY OF AUSTIN DISTRACTED DRIVING VIDEO ON YOUTUBE OR OTHER OUTLETS.
AND ONE WAS MADE IN THAT ERA IN 20 14, 20 15.
AND THE THE TITLE OF IT IS ACTUALLY DON'T BE A SCOTT.
I'M STILL A LAND LINER, SO I I DON'T HAVE A MOBILE PHONE TO BE DISTRACTED BY.
I'M NOT TRYING TO PULL ANYONE BACK INTO THE, INTO THE PAST WITH YOUR TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS, BUT THERE I GO.
SO WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE PEOPLE FROM A PD HERE AND WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE RIGHT NOW FROM TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC WORKS, BUT THEY WERE CERTAINLY INVITED.
THE WORKING GROUP THAT PUT THE MEAT ON THE BONES FOR THE ORDINANCE INCLUDED MYSELF, KO, WHO'S HERE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CHETO VELAS OFFICE, AND A FEW OTHERS.
AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION AND WE'LL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE A GREATER AUSTIN.
NOW I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO INTRODUCE, UH, CHIEF OF STAFF FOR A PD ROBIN HENDERSON.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE.
I'D FIRST LIKE TO THANK MR. SCOTT JOHNSON FOR CHAMPIONING THIS ORDINANCE OVER A DECADE AGO.
UH, AND YOU RECOGNIZE AND BECAUSE OF YOUR EFFORTS, YOU HAVE SAVED MANY LIVES OVER THE PAST 10, 10 YEARS.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER VELA FOR BRINGING THIS PROCLAMATION FORTH TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS INITIATIVE AND TO REMIND OUR AUSTIN COMMUNITY OF THE DANGERS OF TEXTING AND DRIVING.
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER PAIGE ELLIS FOR BEING HERE, TEXTING WHILE DRIVING HAS HARMED MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE.
JUST ONE SECOND OF DISTRACTED, DISTRACTION BEHIND THE WHEEL CAN LEAD TO LIFE CHANGING TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES.
A PD CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES TO WEAR TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING.
IN ADDITION, WE SHARE THE SAME MESSAGE WITH OUR OWN PERSONAL PER PERSONNEL STAFF AND OUR OFFICERS.
FOR EVERYONE LISTENING, THE SAFEST WAY TO DRIVE IS TO BE DISTRACTION FREE AND FOCUSED ON THE ROAD.
KEEP YOUR PHONES DOWN, YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD, AND YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL.
LET'S CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE OUR AUSTIN ROADS SAFER FOR EVERYONE.
UH, LET ME GO AHEAD AND, UH, READ THE, UH, THE PROCLAMATION.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS DISTRACTED DRIVING IS DRIVING WHILE ENGAGED IN OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS USING YOUR PHONE FOR TEXTING, TALKING, OR APPLICATIONS, EATING, APPLYING MAKEUP, AND CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS VISUAL, COGNITIVE, OR MANUAL.
AND WHEREAS MULTITASKING, WHILE SAFELY OPERATING A VEHICLE CANNOT BE LEARNED, BUT IS A DANGEROUS DECISION THAT POSES SIGNIFICANT RISK OF HARM TO PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS, DRIVERS, ROAD WORKERS AND MORE.
AND WHEREAS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS 23 TIMES MORE DANGEROUS THAN WITH NO DISTRACTIONS AND TALKING ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING IS SEVERAL TIMES MORE DANGEROUS.
AND WHEREAS NATIONALLY DISTRACTED DRIVING HAS CAUSED OVER 3000 DEATHS AND OVER 300,000 INJURIES PER YEAR OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.
AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ADOPTED ORDINANCE NUMBER 20 14 0 8 2 8 DASH 0 4 1 IN AUGUST, 2014, AMENDING SECTION 12 DASH ONE DASH 34 OF THE CITY CODE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE OR BICYCLE.
AND WHEREAS 2024 IS THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINANCE AND REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BOTH CELEBRATE AND INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING AND EVIDENCE SHOWS DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS ARE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING DISTRACTED DRIVING WHEN THERE IS HIGHLY VISIBLE ENFORCEMENT AND STRONG PUBLIC EDUCATION.
NOW THEREFORE, I, UH, VELA ALONG WITH PAIGE ELLIS, UH, AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AND OUR MAYOR KIRK WATSON DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024 AS
[00:30:01]
DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS DAY IN AUSTIN.SO THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR COMING.
IT'S, IT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.
WE'RE TRYING TO REMIND FOLKS WHO MAY HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE TOO LEISURELY ABOUT THEIR PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING OR ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD DISTRACT THEM WHEN DRIVING.
PLEASE REMEMBER, JUST SAVE IT FOR WHEN YOU'RE DONE, WHEN YOU'RE AT YOUR DESTINATION.
WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANY UNNECESSARY INJURIES AND DEATHS.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, UH, DO YOU HAVE ANY, UH, REMARKS? WOULD YOU'D LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? UM, I'LL TAKE ONE MINUTE.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE TALK A LOT IN THE MOBILITY COMMITTEE, WHICH I CHAIR ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH OUR VISION ZERO GOALS.
AND SO I KNOW PART OF THAT IS GOING TO BE THE ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE LAWS ARE AND HOW TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE IN COMPLIANCE.
WE'VE GOT OUR FOLKS FROM SAFE STREETS HERE, UM, THAT CARE A LOT ABOUT THAT ISSUE.
AND SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE REALIZES HOW SERIOUS IT IS THAT ONE MOMENT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND SOMEBODY ELSE'S LIFE.
AND WHEN I'M DRIVING I ALWAYS TELL MYSELF THERE COULD BE A PUPPY OR A TODDLER SOMEWHERE.
'CAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN A DOG IS GONNA GET OFF LEASH OR YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A CHILD THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN STEPS, YOU KNOW, TOO FAR INTO TRAFFIC.
UM, AND YOU WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE TAKING THAT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT LIKE ANY SINGLE MOMENT COULD BE ONE THAT IS LIFE OR DEATH FOR SOMEBODY.
SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE A PD BEING HERE TODAY AND HELPING US ENFORCE THIS PROGRAM AND FOR THE OTHER ADVOCATES, MR. JOHNSON, HERE TO, UM, HELP MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF WHAT THESE ISSUES ARE AND HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AND THE REST OF YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND HAPPY 10 YEARS TO NO DISTRACTED DRIVING FOR AUSTIN.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, UH, UH, REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON, UH, MOBILITY WHERE WE, UH, DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES, UH, EVERY MONTH.
AND, UH, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING.
AND LET'S GO AHEAD AND, UH, TAKE, UH, SOME, UH, PHOTOS.
LEMME GRAB A COPY OF THE YEAH, TAKE ONE OF THESE.
UH, CAN YOU TAKE, OR IF YOU WANT TO GRAB JENNA RIGHT QUICK FOR HER TO TAKE A PHOTO.
[additional Item]
GOOD MORNING.I'M ALLISON AL ALTER AND I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 10 CENTRAL NORTHWEST AUSTIN ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
I'M DELIGHTED TODAY TO TAKE THE TIME TO HONOR THE NUMERABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LINDA BAILEY, WHO IS A VALUED MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, A FIERCE ADVOCATE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF NORTH AUSTIN AND NORTHWEST HILLS.
AND SOMEONE I AM PROUD TO CONSIDER A DEAR FRIEND, THANKS TODAY WE'RE HERE TO APPRECIATE HER FOR HER TIRELESS DEDICATION TO SOLVING PROBLEMS AND WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE.
WE ALL KNOW LINDA, AS A HIGHLY SKILLED NEGOTIATOR, CALM UNDER FIRE, AND ABLE TO BRIDGE GAPS OF UNDERSTANDING AND HELP STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE BOARD TO FIND COMMON IDEAS AND GROUND TO STAND ON.
IF YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO COLLABORATE WITH LINDA ON A PROJECT, YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT SHE HAS A MASTERFUL ABILITY TO GET PEOPLE TO FOCUS AND WORK TOGETHER AND TO THINK LONG TERM ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THEIR IDEAS AND THEIR DECISIONS.
LINDA HAS A LEGACY OF SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING THOSE WHO HAVE HER COMMUNITY'S BEST INTERESTS AT HEART AND IS KNOWN TO TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT AND CONSIDERATION.
IN ADDITION TO HER WORK WITH NEIGHBORHOODS, THE CITY AND DEVELOPERS ON PIVOTAL PROJECTS LIKE TRACK THREE, FOUR, AND FIVE, AND PAMELA CAMELBACK POD LINDA HAS WORKED WITH CHIEF BAILEY, NO RELATION AS FAR AS I KNOW,
IN PARTICULAR, SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE MENTORED YOUNG PEOPLE ALL OVER AUSTIN AND MADE COUNTLESS QUIET CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO PRESENT LINDA WITH THIS WELL DESERVED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR HER UNTIRING SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO OUR CITY DURING HER TENURE, 10 TENURE AS A DEDICATED COMMUNITY LEADER IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND PROBABLY EVEN BEYOND THAT, LINDA BAILEY IS DESERVING OF PUBLIC ACCLAIM AND RECOGNITION.
THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION THEREOF, THE 21ST DAY OF NOVEMBER IN THE YEAR 2024.
AND I PRESENT THIS TO YOU ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE ENTIRE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR OF AUSTIN.
UM, I WILL SAY THIS IS A BIG SURPRISE,
IT MAKES MY NORMAL FACADE OF STRENGTH WITHER WITH EMOTION.
THAT'S WHY RECEIVING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON
[00:35:01]
ALTER MEANS SO MUCH TO ME.IT'S A REFLECTION OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE'VE ALL BUILT TOGETHER.
THE FIRST TIME I GOT HOOKED ON NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES WAS AROUND 10 YEARS AGO ON TRACK THREE, THE REZONING CASE.
AS MANY OF YOU REMEMBER, CERTAINLY MAURICE AND DENISE REMEMBER THAT.
I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS WORK BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF COMMUNITY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND BRING LASTING CHANGE.
I'VE ALWAYS FELT THAT WORKING COLLABORATIVE COLLABORATIVELY WITH LAKE AUSTIN COLLECTIVE, PAT, SUSAN, BILL AND MARISSA.
22, 22, KONA RANDY'S HERE, THE WILDFIRE ALLIANCE.
SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE WITH THE WILDFIRE ALLIANCE, A-F-D-E-S-D FOUR, CHIEF BAILEY, AND MY GLEN LAKERS AND CAMELBACK.
JONATHAN AND KIRSTEN C**N, APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE AS HOW WE MAKE THE GREATEST IMPACT.
THIS AWARD ISN'T JUST MINE, IT'S OURS.
A TESTAMENT TO WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH AS A TEAM.
THERE'S SO MUCH MORE WE CAN DO TOGETHER.
AND I'M HONORED TO CONTINUE STANDING ALONGSIDE SUCH SMART AND ENGAGED FRIENDS.
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHO'S HERE, MAGGIE, AND UH, MY FRIENDS JULONG AND MICHAEL AND ALL THE NEIGHBORS, THANK YOU FOR BEFRIENDING ME AND FOR MAKING OUR COMMUNITY STRONGER EVERY DAY.
I'M TAKING A PICTURE HERE AND THEN WE'LL GO OUTSIDE.
DO YOU WANT US IN FRONT OF THIS OR, UH, OKAY, WORKS.
LET'S JUST STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU'RE BACK.
AND SO WE'LL GO OUTSIDE WITH MY STAFF.
[Proclamation – Rosa Rios Valdez Day – To be presented by Council Member Paige Ellis]
MORNING EVERYONE.TODAY WE GATHER TO HONOR A REMARKABLE LEADER WHOSE DEDICATION AND VISION HAVE PROFOUNDLY IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITY.
AFTER 34 YEARS OF UNWAVERING SERVICE, ROSA RIOS VALDEZ HAS RETIRED AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LENDERS OF TEXAS.
ROSA'S JOURNEY IS AN EXTRAORDINARY ONE, TAKING HER FROM UVALDE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN IN THE 1970S, A TIME WHEN MINORITY ENROLLMENT WAS LESS THAN 4,000 STUDENTS.
ROSA GRADUATED C*M LAUDE IN JUST THREE YEARS AND EMBARKED ON A CAREER IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHICH INCLUDED TIME AT THE AUSTIN MINORITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY, WHERE SHE COLLABORATED WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO DEVELOP A $67 MILLION PLAN TO REVITALIZE EAST SIXTH, SEVENTH AND 11TH STREETS.
IN 1990, AMIDST AN ECONOMIC RECESSION, ROSA CO-FOUNDED BCL OF TEXAS TO PROVIDE LENDING SOLUTIONS IN CENTRAL TEXAS.
UNDER HER LEADERSHIP, BCL EXPANDED STATEWIDE BECOMING THE MOST DIVERSE LOAN PRODUCT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FIRM IN TEXAS.
THE ORGANIZATION HAS FACILITATED OVER $1.9 BILLION IN LOANS IMPACTING MORE THAN 8,000 ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.
BEYOND HER WORK WITH BCL ROSA CO-FOUNDED THE I 10 COMMUNITY ALLIANCE AND CURRENTLY SERVES AS BOARD PRESIDENT OF NEIGHBORWORKS CAPITAL, A NATIONAL LENDING ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
WE CONGRATULATE ROSA ON ALL SHE'S ACCOMPLISHED.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR HER SERVICE AND PROUD TO HAVE HER AS A DISTRICT DATE RESIDENT.
SO I WILL NOW READ THE PROCLAMATION, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS ROSA RIOS VALDEZ HAS SERVED FOR 34 YEARS AS A FOUNDER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BCL OF TEXAS, AND HAS REACHED THE MILESTONE OF RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS ROSA RIOS VALDEZ UPHELD THE BCL PROMISE TO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES AND UPLIFT FAMILIES WITH CAPITAL AND SERVICES FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, MAKING BCLA NATIONAL LEADER.
AND WHEREAS ROSA RIO VALDEZ IS A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN AND HARVARD UNIVERSITY'S JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT HOLDS A CERTIFICATION IN EXCELLENCE IN GOVERN GOVERNANCE FROM NEIGHBORWORKS AMERICA AND IS A GRADUATE OF LEADERSHIP TEXAS.
AND WHEREAS ROSA RIOS VALDEZ HAS HELPED UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BOTH REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY, AND IS THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE I 10 COMMUNITY ALLIANCE, CURRENTLY SERVING AS BOARD PRESIDENT OF NEIGHBORWORKS CAPITAL, A NATIONAL LENDING ORGANIZATION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACROSS AMERICA.
[00:40:01]
WHEREAS ROSA RIOS VALDEZ LEAVES BEHIND A LEGACY OF A STRONG, CAPABLE FINANCIALLY SOUND, BCL THAT IS HERE AND READY TO SERVE ANY COMMUNITY IN TEXAS NOW, THEREFORE, I PAY JEALOUS ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 21ST, 2024 AS ROSA RIOS VALDEZ DAY IN AUSTIN.LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? I DIDN'T PREPARE ANY WORDS, BUT, UH, IT'S CERTAINLY BEEN A LONG AND EXCITING JOURNEY GROW.
GROWING BCL OF TEXAS STATEWIDE EVERY DAY IS EXCITING.
UH, WE HAVE REQUESTS THAT WE JUST DON'T ANTICIPATE AND WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO RESPOND.
SO IT'S, UM, MY PLEASURE LEAVING A LEGACY AND, UM, I'M READY FOR RETIREMENT.
I'VE DONE A LOT IN MY CAREER AND, UH, I LOVE CITY OF AUSTIN.
UM, THIS IS MY HOME AND, UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO VOLUNTEERING AND DOING, UH, PERSONAL, UM, ACTIVITIES THAT I'VE POSTPONED FOR SO MANY YEARS.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION AND THANK YOU FOR, UM, JOINING ME FOR TODAY.
DO WE WANNA STAND IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM AND GET A PICTURE? YOU.