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[1. Proclamation – Flood Safety Awareness Week – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes]
MORNING EVERYONE.I'M PROUD TO SERVE AS AUSTIN'S MAYOR PRO TEM, AND I'M JOINED HERE TODAY WITH MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL LANE, COUNCIL MEMBER MIKE SIEGEL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY AS WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK AND CELEBRATE THE INCREDIBLE WORK OF OUR WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
SINCE DAY ONE, FLOOD PREPAREDNESS HAS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY OF MINE IN SOUTHEAST AUSTIN.
WE'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE DEVASTATING IMPACT THAT FLOODS HAVE HAD ON OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHY WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND CITY STAFF TO CHAMPION FLOOD MITIGATION, EXPAND PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND TO BUILD A MORE RESILIENT AUSTIN.
IN FACT, ONE OF THE VERY FIRST ITEMS I BROUGHT FORWARD ON COUNCIL TOOK A LOOK AT HOW WE COULD STRENGTHEN OUR FLOOD PREPAREDNESS, AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO SAY ANOTHER ITEM WE BROUGHT FORWARD, UM, IS COMING INTO FRUITION THIS WEEKEND, UM, WITH THE FIRST EVER THE CITY'S FIRST EVER FLOOD SAFETY FEST, WHICH WILL TAKE PLA PLACE ON SATURDAY AT NOON AT CAMPBELL ELEMENTARY.
UH, AND WE ALSO WORKED REALLY HARD TO BRING TOGETHER A, UH, AN INNOVATIVE PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP WITH FLOOD INSURANCE FOR OUR FAMILIES IN NEED.
THIS WORK WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HARD WORKERS OF OUR HARDEST WORKERS.
AT WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
A FLOOD READY CITY TAKES TEAMWORK, LONG-TERM PLANNING, AND BOOTS ON THE GROUND.
AND THANKS TO YOUR EFFORTS, WE'RE BETTER PREPARED TO PROTECT OUR FAMILIES, OUR HOMES, OUR LIVES, AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND IS WITH DEEP APPRECIATION THAT I'D NOW LIKE TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO JORGE MORALES, DIRECTOR OF THE WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND CONTINUING DEDICATION TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THIS FLOODING POSES A THREAT TO PEOPLE, PROPERTY, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND OFTEN OCCURS WITH LITTLE NOTICE.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A FLOOD RESILIENT COMMUNITY THROUGH ONGOING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS, CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, REGULATIONS, EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT.
AND WHEREAS THE WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT LIVES, PROPERTY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE IMPACTS OF FLOODING, EROSION, AND WATER POLLUTION, WHILE RAISING AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS.
AND WHEREAS AUSTINITES SHOULD PREPARE BY HAVING A FAMILY PLAN FOR FLOODING, MAKING AN EMERGENCY KIT AND MONITORING WEATHER EVENTS TO STAY INFORMED.
AND WHEREAS AUSTINITES SHOULD AVOID CROSSING FLOODED ROADS AND FOLLOW THE TURNAROUND, DON'T DROWN MESSAGE TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE.
AND WHEREAS WE ENCOURAGE ALL AUSTINITES TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES ABOUT FLOOD SAFETY BY VISITING ATX FLOOD SAFETY.COM.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES, MAYOR PERAM JOINED MY, JOINED BY MY COUN COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBERS, LANE AND SIEGEL ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR, KIRK WATSON, TO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 21ST, THE 26TH AS FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
ALRIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR BEING HERE.
UH, AND THANK YOU ALL TO THE ENTIRE CITY, UH, COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK IN OUR CITY.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES TO OUR DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AT THE WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THEIR HARD WORK HELPS TO REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF FLOODING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY MONITOR AND CLOSE THE ROADS DURING HEAVY RAINS.
THEY REVIEW PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR COMPLETE, UH, COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS.
THEY CLEAR THE ROADWAY, COVERTS, INSPECT AND MAINTAIN OUR PONDS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, PROJECTS, AND SO MUCH MORE.
ALSO, I WANT TO THANK OUR PARTNER DEPARTMENTS, SOME OF WHICH ARE HERE TODAY.
YOUR TEAMWORK AND SUPPORT ENSURE OUR COMMUNITY STAYS INFORMED, PREPARED AND RESILIENT.
ALTHOUGH WE WORK HARD EVERY DAY, FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAINFALL IS SOMETHING WE ARE LIKELY TO FACE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT ATX FLOOD SAFETY.COM FOR FLOOD SAFETY TIPS AND TO LEARN HOW TO PREPARE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE FLOOD EVENTS.
FINALLY, I INVITE YOU TO JOIN US THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH FROM 12 TO 3:00 PM AT LL CAMPBELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR OUR FLOOD SAFETY FIRST, FIRST FLOOD SAFETY EVENT.
IT'S A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT WITH GAMES, GIVEAWAYS, AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
YOU WHAT, ROBERT? WOULD YOU TURN THE HOUSE LIGHTS ON, PLEASE? WE'RE IN A LITTLE BIT OF A DARK SPOT.
WINTER TURN LIGHTS ON SO WE CAN SEE EVERYBODY.
[2. Proclamation – OutWellness Day – To be presented by Council Member José Velásquez]
I'M VANESSA FUENTES, PROUD TO SERVE AS AUSTIN'S MAYOR PRO TEM, AND I'M HONORED TO JOIN YOU TODAY IN CELEBRATING OUT WELLNESS DAY[00:05:01]
ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ, WHO IS OUT SICK TODAY, AND WE SEND HIM ALL THE WELL WISHES ON HIS RECOVERY.I'M ALSO JOINED HERE TODAY BY MY OTHER COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER, CRYSTAL LANE.
OUT WELLNESS IS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE TO OUR COMMUNITY, ONE THAT REACHES FAR BEYOND THE LABEL OF A FITNESS CENTER.
IT IS A SAFE, AFFIRMING AND EMPOWERING SPACE FOR OUR LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY, AND A PLACE WHERE HOLISTIC, A PLACE WHERE WELLNESS IS HOLISTIC AND EVERYONE IS SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND CELEBRATED OUT.
WELLNESS SHOWS US THAT INCLUSIVE CARE TRULY IS POSSIBLE AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
IT'S ALSO A MODEL FOR WHAT WE NEED MORE OF IN THIS WORLD.
COMPASSION, CONNECTION, AND COURAGE.
SO NOW I'M HONORED TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO SID YOUNG, FOUNDER OF OUT WELLNESS.
THANK YOU FOR BUILDING SOMETHING SO SPECIAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
SID YOUNG, THE FOUNDER OF OUT WELLNESS IS A TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR THE TRANS COMMUNITY, CREATING A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SPACE WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN STRENGTHEN BOTH THEIR BODIES AND THEIR VOICES IN THE FACE OF INCREASING CHALLENGES.
AND WHEREAS OUT WELLNESS PROVIDES FREE WEEKLY TRANS FEMME AND TRANS MASK WORKOUTS EVERY SUNDAY, OFFERING A UNIQUE AND NECESSARY SPACE FOR TRANS INDIVIDUALS TO CONNECT, HEAL, AND THRIVE DESPITE THE ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION SWEEPING THE NATION THAT SEEKS TO LIMIT THEIR RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.
AND WHEREAS THE GROWING DEMAND FOR OUT WELLNESS'S TRANS-SPECIFIC WORKOUTS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE RECENT EDITION OF THE SECOND TRANS MASK WORKOUT REFLECTS THE URGENT NEED FOR SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES WHERE TRANS AND NON-BINARY INDIVIDUALS CAN ACCESS RESOURCES IN SPACES THAT AFFIRM THEIR IDENTITIES.
AND WHEREAS OUT WELLNESS STANDS IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO THE POLICIES THAT CRIMINALIZE HEALTHCARE REFERRALS, DENY TRANS YOUTH ESSENTIAL GENDER AFFIRMING CARE AND RESTRICT THEIR RIGHTS BY MAKING FITNESS, WELLNESS, AND EMPOWERING EMPOWERMENT A PRIORITY FOR THE TRANS COMMUNITY, HELPING THEM STAY STRONG IN MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.
SID'S COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL ARE SEEN AND CELEBRATED FOR WHO THEY ARE, IS A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE FEAR AND ISOLATION GENERATED BY THESE ANTI-TRANS BILLS, WHICH OFFERING HOPE, RESILIENCE, AND MUCH NEEDED SENSE OF BELONGING.
I TRULY AM HONORED TODAY TO, TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION NOW.
THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES MAYOR PRO TEM, ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTALLING, ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR KIRK WATSON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 24TH, 2025 AS OUT WELLNESS DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
CAN I PUT THAT ONE? YEAH, YEAH.
STANDING HERE TODAY RECEIVING THIS PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN, I FEEL AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF GRATITUDE, BUT ALSO URGENCY, BECAUSE WHILE IT'S INCREDIBLE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THIS WORK THAT WE DO, THE REALITY IS THAT SPACES LIKE OUT WELLNESS SHOULDN'T BE, SHOULDN'T BE RARE, THEY SHOULD BE THE NORM.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SAFE SPACES, WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT A PLACE WITH A RAINBOW STICKER ON THE DOOR.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SPACES WHERE WE TRANS AND NON-BINARY FOLKS AND, AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES DON'T HAVE TO BRACE FOR IMPACT EVERY TIME WE WALK IN SPACES WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT TO BE SEEN, AFFIRMED OR TREATED WITH THE SAME DIGNITY AND RESPECT AS EVERYBODY ELSE.
BUT SAFE SPACES DON'T BUILD THEMSELVES.
THEY TAKE INTENTION, THEY TAKE ACTION.
AND MOST OF ALL, THEY TAKE PEOPLE WILLING TO STAND UP, SPEAK OUT, AND PUSH BACK WHEN OUR RIGHTS ARE UNDER ATTACK.
AND HERE IN TEXAS, OUR RIGHTS ARE UNDER ATTACK.
THE ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION SWEEPING THROUGH OUR STATE ISN'T ABOUT PROTECTING ANYONE.
WE SEE IT IN BILLS THAT TRY TO CRIMINALIZE OUR HEALTHCARE, PUSH US OUT OF SPORTS, ERASE OUR IDENTITIES FROM LEGAL DOCUMENTS, AND SILENCE THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING TO KEEP US SAFE.
THESE AREN'T JUST ABSTRACT POLICIES, THEY HAVE REAL CONSEQUENCES.
HERE IN TEXAS, TRANS YOUTH ARE LOSING ACCESS TO GENDER AFFIRMING CARE.
PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO SEEK MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR KIDS.
KOREAN TRANS PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED TO CONSIDER LEAVING A CITY, OUR CITY THAT WE LOVE JUST TO FEEL SAFE.
AUSTIN HAS LONG BEEN A REFUGE IN THIS STATE, A PLACE THAT VALUES DIVERSITY, PROGRESS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
BUT LOCAL SUPPORT ONLY GOES SO FAR WHEN STATE LEADERS ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO STRIP US OF BASIC FREEDOM.
THAT'S WHY VISIBILITY MATTERS, AND THAT'S WHY VOCAL ALLYSHIP MATTERS EVEN MORE.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO QUIETLY SUPPORT TRANS RIGHTS.
WE NEED PEOPLE IN THIS CITY IN EVERY ROOM WHERE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE TO TAKE ACTION, TO CHALLENGE HARMFUL POLICIES, TO MAKE SURE AUSTIN REMAINS.
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SO, WHILE I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THIS HONOR TODAY, I ACCEPT IT NOT JUST FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR ALL OF US.FOR EVERY TRANS PERSON WHO HAS BEEN TOLD, THERE'S NO PLACE FOR THEM.
AND FOR EVERY ALLY WHO REFUSES TO ACCEPT THAT AS FACT, WE HAVE ALWAYS EXISTED.
WE WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO EXIST.
AND WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO BE HERE.
WE ARE CLAIMING OUR SPACE, OUR RIGHTS, AND OUR FUTURE, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
WE'LL JUST DO A QUICK LITTLE GROUP PHOTO UP YOUR YEAH, I WANNA MAKE SURE I CAN SEE EVERYBODY'S FACE.
I'M THE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT FOUR,
[3. Proclamation – KidsFestATX Day– To be presented by Council Member José “Chito” Vela]
AND TODAY WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE KIDS FEST, A TX.UH, IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF THE NINTH ANNUAL KIDS FEST AND THE 20TH ANNUAL UNITY WALK TO INSPIRING CELEBRATIONS OF AUSTIN'S SHARED COMMITMENT TO OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, AND THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THESE EVENTS ARE MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE VISION, PASSION, AND HARD WORK OF SO MANY.
UH, I WANT TO EXTEND SINCERE THANKS TO AUSTIN VOICES FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH CHILD INC.
AND AUSTIN ISD FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO ENSURING EVERY CHILD HAS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.
I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE FOR THE PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, FAITH ORGANIZATIONS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.
EACH YEAR, YOU HELP MAKE KIDS FEST A VIBRANT, WELCOMING EVENT THAT CONNECTS FAMILIES WITH ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS A CRADLE TO CAREER PATHWAY FOR OUR YOUTH.
THE UNITY WALK HELD ALONGSIDE KIDS FEST IS A POWERFUL REMINDER OF WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN WE COME TOGETHER WITH A SHARED PURPOSE.
IT'S A LIVING EXAMPLE OF OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, OPPORTUNITY AND COLLABORATION.
EVERY CHILD DESERVES ACCESS TO QUALITY, EDUCATION, FAMILY SUPPORT, AND A CLEAR PATHWAY TO LIFELONG SUCCESS.
THESE EVENTS REFLECT THAT BELIEF AND BRING IT TO LIFE THROUGH ACTION, CARE, AND COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PLAYS A ROLE IN MAKING KIDS FEST AND THE UNITY WALK SUCH MEANINGFUL AND IMPACTFUL TRADITIONS.
TOGETHER YOU ARE SHAPING A STRONGER, MORE INCLUSIVE AUSTIN, ONE STEP AND ONE CHILD AT A TIME.
LET'S CONTINUE TO WALK FORWARD FOR OUR YOUTH, FOR OUR FUTURE, AND FOR A MORE UNITED AUSTIN.
UH, AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE, THE, UH, THE UNITY WALK IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, UH, IT, IT'S JUST WONDERFUL.
WE WALK FROM WEB MIDDLE SCHOOL TO REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL, UH, RIGHT THROUGH THE ST.
JOHN COMMUNITY, UH, AND EVERYBODY STOPS AND STARES AND TAKES PICTURES AND JOINS A WALK.
IT IS JUST A REALLY, UH, HEARTFELT, UH, HEARTWARMING, UH, EVENT THAT, THAT I ENJOY, UH, SO, SO MUCH.
UM, AND LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION THEN.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A STRONG, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY THAT VALUES AND SUPPORTS ITS CHILDREN AND YOUTH, RECOGNIZING THAT INVESTING IN EARLY EDUCATION, FAMILY WELLBEING, AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING LIFELONG SUCCESS.
AND WHEREAS KIDS FEST A TX ORGANIZED BY CHILD INC.
HEAD START AND AUSTIN VOICES FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION DEDICATED TO EARLY LEARNING, CHILD WELLNESS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ACCESS TO VITAL RESOURCES AS SUPPORT A CRADLE TO COLLEGE CAREER PATHWAY.
AND WHEREAS KIDS FEST, A TX SERVES AS A CORNERSTONE EVENT, CONNECTING FAMILIES WITH ESSENTIAL SERVICES, PROMOTING SCHOOL READINESS, AND REINFORCING THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH EQUITY, AND FAMILY SUPPORT IN SHAPING LIFELONG SUCCESS.
AND WHEREAS ALONGSIDE KIDS FEST, A TX, THE UNITY WALK STANDS AS A POWERFUL DEMONSTRATION OF OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS, BRINGING TOGETHER FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, FAITH ORGANIZATIONS, AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, HEALTH ACCESS AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN COMMENDS THE DEDICATION OF THE ORGANIZERS, VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPANTS WHO MAKE KIDS FEST A TX AND THE UNITY WALK, MEANINGFUL AND IMPACTFUL CELEBRATIONS, STRENGTHENING THE BONDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ENSURING THAT EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO THRIVE FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CHITO VELA, COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT FOUR ON BEHALF OF MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE, UH, CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PRO PROCLAIM APRIL 26TH, 2025 AS KIDS FEST, A TX DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND I DIDN'T KNOW IF ANYONE WANTED TO OFFER SOME.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO OFFER SOME REMARKS?
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THANK, THANK YOU, MR. BELLA.UM, THIS IS THE TIME WHERE FAMILY GETS TOGETHER AND THIS IS THE TIME THAT PEOPLE LEARN TOGETHER AND WE CREATE AND WE PUT SEED IN THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY.
UM, IT IS, IT IS A, THIS, THIS IS A EVENT THAT CREATE POWERFUL FUTURE AND ALLOW US TO KEEP GROWING.
AND AS MR. BELLA SAID, UM, CREATE UNITY, INVESTING IN CHILD IS INVESTING IN THE FUTURE AND INVESTING IN THE FUTURE IS INVESTING IN A BETTER SOCIETY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, AND I WELCOME EVERYONE TO GET SATURDAY THERE AND HAVE FUN, LEARN AND ENJOY.
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT THE, UH, UNITY WALK THAT STARTS AT WEB IS REALLY THIS IDEA OF US COMING TOGETHER AS ONE, YOU KNOW, MANY VOICES, YOU KNOW, MAKES A LOUDER STATEMENT.
AND I THINK THE UNITY WALK IS THE 20TH YEAR FOR US MARCHING DOWN ST.
AND YOU GET TO GO THERE AT NINE O'CLOCK AND YOU GET TO WRITE WHAT YOU WANNA MARCH FOR.
SO TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, WE WALK, BUT TOGETHER IN UNITY, AND THAT IS OUR UNITY WALK.
SO WE INVITE EVERYBODY AS WELL.
SO WE'LL KEEP ON WALKING 20 MORE.
AND, AND THE KIDS FEST FOR FOLKS THAT THAT DON'T KNOW IS A HUGE CELEBRATION.
THERE'S GAMES FOR THE KIDS, THERE'S RESOURCES FOR THE PARENTS.
IT'S JUST A, A REALLY FUN EVENT, UH, THAT PEOPLE GIVE AWAY, UH, RESOURCES AND BACKPACKS AND FOOD AND, AND IT IS JUST A, A GREAT EVENT THAT BRINGS SO MANY PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY AROUND, UH, NORTHEAST, UH, AND, AND ENJOY IT EVERY YEAR AND, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO IT THIS YEAR.
THANK YOU'ALL VERY MUCH, MUCH.
AND, UH, LET'S GO AHEAD AND, UH, GET, UH, TOGETHER FOR A PICTURE.
[4. Proclamation – Fifty Years of Freedom, Perseverance, and Contributions in Tribute to the Vietnamese American Community – To be presented by Council Member José “Chito” Vela]
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE 50 YEARS OF FREEDOM, RESILIENCE, AND THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I'M CHIEF VELA, COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT FOUR WITH MANY MEMBERS OF THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE A, A VERY SPECIAL EVENT.
UH, AND I WANNA GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO, UH, CASEY LUNG, UH, AND CHLOE CHARAN FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP IN WRITING THIS PROCLAMATION AND, AND BRINGING IT FORWARD.
THEY'VE DONE THE WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE SURE, UH, THE STORY IS SEEN AND HEARD.
UH, AND, UH, CHLOE IS BECOMING A CITY HALL REGULAR.
UH, ACTUALLY, UH, UH, THE, I ALSO, UH, WANT TO THANK, UH, UH, I ALSO WANT TO THANK HONG LE, UH, AND DR.
NAM WIN, UH, FOR BEING WILLING TO SPEAK.
WE HAD A CEREMONY OUTSIDE IN THE PLAZA WHERE THE GENERAL PUBLIC COULD SEE, UH, TO READ THE PROCLAMATION AND, AND TO TALK ABOUT THE, UH, EVENT AND, AND THE VIETNAMESE, UH, AMERICAN, UH, COMMUNITY, UH, THANK THEM FOR, FOR BEING WILLING TO SPEAK TODAY AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES.
YOUR SERVICE SACRIFICING CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED AND DESERVE TO BE RECOGNIZED.
THIS PROCLAMATION IS MORE THAN WORDS.
IT'S A REFLECTION OF OUR CITY'S GRATITUDE AND COMMITMENT TO REMEMBERING THE LEGACY AND RESILIENCE OF VIETNAMESE AMERICANS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING PART OF TODAY'S MOMENT AND FOR CONTINUING TO MAKE AUSTIN A MORE INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE CITY.
AND I'D LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, CADRE AND COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, FUENTES FOR, FOR JOINING US FOR THIS, UH, PROCLAMATION AND COUNCIL MEMBER KRISTA LANE.
UH, UH, THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR, FOR JOINING US TODAY.
IT'S, UH, IT'S A VERY SPECIAL EVENT AND WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT TODAY.
WE'RE GONNA READ THE, UM, THE PROCLAMATION IN BOTH ENGLISH AND IN VIETNAMESE.
UH, SO LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ IT IN ENGLISH AND THEN WE'LL READ IT IN VIETNAMESE AS WELL KNOWN THAT WHEREAS WE PAUSE TO REFLECT AND HONOR THE IMMEASURABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICE OF OUR VIETNAMESE AND US SERVICE MEMBERS, AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE WIDESPREAD IMPACT AND LASTING CONSEQUENCES OF WAR ON MILLIONS OF VIETNAMESE FAMILIES.
AND WHEREAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MILLION NORTH AND SOUTH VIETNAMESE SERVICE MEMBERS, AND MORE THAN 2 MILLION US SERVICE MEMBERS FOUGHT IN THE VIETNAM WAR.
IN TOTAL, OVER 3 MILLION SERVICE MEMBERS AND CIVILIANS LOST THEIR LIVES.
AND 1 MILLION SOUTH VIETNAMESE SERVICE MEMBERS WHO COURAGEOUSLY RISK THEIR LIVES AND FAMILIES FACED ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, CONCENTRATION, CAMP IMPRISONMENTS, GOVERNMENT OSTRACIZATION AND DISCRIMINATION UNDER THE NEW GOVERNMENT, HAVING EXPERIENCED PAINFUL ERASURE
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OF THEIR SACRIFICES AND RECOGNITION FOR THEIR SERVICE.AND WHEREAS MORE THAN 1 MILLION VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, INCLUDING FORMER SERVICE MEMBERS, FAMILIES AND CIVILIANS WERE DISPLACED FROM THEIR MOTHERLAND AND FLED BY AIR, LAND, AND SEA RISKING THEIR SAFETY TO REBUILD A NEW LIFE IN THE US AND OTHER COUNTRIES.
WHILE 500,000 VIETNAMESE PEOPLE DID NOT SURVIVE FLEEING VIETNAM.
AND WHEREAS CURRENTLY OVER 2 MILLION VIETNAMESE AMERICANS RESIDE IN THE US THE FOURTH LARGEST ASIAN AMERICAN ETHNIC GROUP, CONTINUING TO PIECE TOGETHER THEIR CULTURAL IDENTITY AND HISTORY.
THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS REMAINED RESILIENT AND PERSEVERED IN THE FACE OF MANY CHALLENGES, INCLUDING RESETTLEMENT, LANGUAGE BARRIERS, LACK OF RESOURCES, PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, INTERGENERATIONAL CONFLICT, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC BARRIERS, RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND HISTORICAL INVISIBILITY.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY ACKNOWLEDGES THE AUSTIN VIETNAMESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY'S ECONOMY AS PART OF THE A API AUSTIN WORKFORCE GENERATING 8.8 BILLION IN LABOR INCOME AND 14.8 BILLION IN ADDED VALUE IN 2022.
BEYOND ECONOMICS, THEY ENRICH AUSTIN'S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FABRIC, ESTABLISHING THE FIRST VIETNAMESE AMERICAN EXHIBIT AT THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER.
THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS LEFT ITS MARK ON BOTH AUSTIN AND THE STATE OF TEXAS THROUGH ORGANIZING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THROUGH THE 10 PLUS VIETNAMESE ORGANIZATIONS IN CENTRAL TEXAS SERVING MORE THAN 70,000 VIETNAMESE AMERICANS, THEIR ADVOCACY HAS ADVANCED ESL INSTRUCTION, HEALTH EQUITY PROGRAMS, CITIZENSHIP CLASSES, CULTURAL EDUCATION AND CELEBRATION EVENTS SUPPORTING OVER 20,000 VIETNAMESE AMERICANS CURRENTLY IN CENTRAL TEXAS.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND SUPPORTS THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE ARTS AND CULTURAL SPACES IN AUSTIN, AND COMMITMENT TO CONTINUED EQUITY TO ACCESS.
NOW, THEREFORE, A CHITO VELA COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT FOUR ON BEHALF OF, UH, THE KIRK WATSON, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 30TH, 2025 AS 50 YEARS OF FREEDOM, PERSEVERANCE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS IN TRIBUTE TO THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN.
AND, AND, AND LET ME JUST MENTION, THIS IS, UH, THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF, UH, THE, THE, THE FALL OF SAIGON.
AND, UH, THE, THE WAVE OF IMMIGRANTS THAT THAT CAME FROM.
UH, I, I, I THINK THAT WAS KIND OF IMPLIED IN ALL OF EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID, BUT I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR THAT APRIL 30TH WILL BE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY.
UH, AND LET'S GO AHEAD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION IN VIETNAM.
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I AM MISSING MY PLACE.MM, THANK YOU, UH, UH, VERY MUCH TO EVERYONE FOR COMING.
IT'S REALLY BEEN A VERY SPECIAL PROCLAMATION, HONESTLY, ONE OF THE MORE SPECIAL ONES I'VE, I'VE BEEN A PART OF, UH, UH, THANK YOU TO ALL THE FOLKS THAT SPENT SO MUCH TIME ORGANIZING IT TO EVERYONE WHO C CAME TO CITY STAFF FOR, FOR HELPING FACILITATE IT.
UH, AND IT'S A DEFINITELY A TIME OF REFLECTION AND, AND THOUGHT ON, UH, THE, THE END OF THE, THE WAR IN, IN 50 YEARS SINCE THE, THE, THE FALL OF SAIGON.
AND LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A PICTURE, HUH? VERY MUCH.
WE'LL, DO WE GOT AN ENGLISH ONE, A VIETNAMESE ONE? YES.
HOW ABOUT GET RIGHT NEXT TO IT? HOW DOES THAT YEAH, LET'S GET YOU ROOM HERE IF ANYONE WANTS TO.
[5. Proclamation – Longhorn Wellness Center’s Student Staff Appreciation Day – To be presented by Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri]
UH, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.UH, AND WELCOME TO YOUR AUSTIN CITY HALL.
I'M COUNCIL MEMBER ZO RI, UH, AND I'M JOINED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL LANE.
UH, AND I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY, UM, FOR, YOU KNOW, TO TO HONOR THE LONGHORN LONGHORN WELLNESS CENTER, UH, WHICH IS A HOME IN, IN DISTRICT NINE, WHICH IS WHAT I REPRESENT.
UH, TODAY WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE AND APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK OF THE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO VOLUNTEER INTERN AND WORK AS A LONGHORN WELLNESS CENTER.
AND I ALSO WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, KATIE REED, WHO'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LONGHORN LONGHORN WELLNESS CENTER.
UH, SARAH FREY, WHO'S THE MANAGER, AND BRITTANY O'MALLEY, WHO'S THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AS A LONGHORN, MYSELF.
AND I DUNNO WHY I'M HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE SAYING LONGHORN
UH, NOW BEFORE WE GET TO THE PROCLAMATION, LET ME JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO TOUCH ON WHAT THE LONGHORN WELLNESS CENTER ACTUALLY DOES.
IT PROMOTES STUDENT WELLBEING AND CREATES A HEALTHIER CAMPUS COMMUNITY PROFESSIONAL AND STUDENT STAFF LEAD, LEAD HEALTH PROMOTION INITIATIVES, PROVIDE TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS, GUIDE PEER EDUCATION, AND CREATE HEALTH MESSAGE CAMPAIGNS.
THEY PROMOTE THE VALUES OF COMMUNITY, MULTIDIMENSIONAL WELLNESS, GROWTH, SUSTAINABILITY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICES.
AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANY OF THIS WITHOUT THE INCREDIBLE DEDICATED TEAM OF STUDENTS PUTTING IN THE WORK FOR THE WELLNESS CENTER, UH, THAT THE WELLNESS CENTER NEEDS EVERY DAY.
UH, AND WITH THAT, UH, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION, AND THEN I UNDERSTAND AFTER THAT, UH, SARAH HAS A FEW, FEW WORDS, UM, AND I WILL PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION TO SARAH, IF YOU WANNA HOLD IT UP.
UM, BE KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE LONGHORN WELLNESS CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN PROMOTES WELLBEING ON CAMPUS THROUGH HEALTH PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION, EFFECTIVE MESSAGING, STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION WITH CAMPUS PARTNERS.
AND WHEREAS THE SUCCESS OF THESE INITIATIVES IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THEIR HARD WORK AND SUPPORT FROM UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO VOLUNTEER, INTERN AND WORK AT THE LONGHORN WELLNESS CENTER.
AND WHEREAS THESE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS WORK TO IMPROVE THE WELLBEING OF THEIR FELLOW LONGHORNS THROUGH ADVOCACY, ACCESS TO RESOURCES, DELIVERING WORKSHOPS, AND CREATING CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS WE ARE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THESE GRADUATING STUDENTS IN PROMOTING A HEALTHIER CAMPUS, THEIR CONTRIBUTION STATE SHAPE THE FUTURE OF WELLNESS ON CAMPUS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT THE COMMUNITIES THEY'LL BE PART OF IN THE FUTURE.
AS THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MOTTO SAYS, WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD, AND THESE STUDENTS EXEMPLIFY THAT COMMITMENT.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER RI ALONG WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL LANE AND BE BEHALF, AND ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND THE REST OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 24TH, 2025 IS LONGHORN WELLNESS CENTER'S STUDENT STAFF APPRECIATION DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UH, AND, AND, UH, BEFORE I HAND IT OVER TO SARAH, I, I REALLY DO WANT TO, UH, CONGRATULATE THE
[00:30:01]
STUDENTS FOR GRADUATING.UM, I, I WAS AT UT SUCH A LONG TIME AGO THAT, UH, I DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY GRAY HAIRS AS I DO NOW,
SO WITH THAT, I WILL PASS IT TO SARAH AND I CAN HOLD THIS WHILE YOU, OR DOES ANYONE ELSE WANNA HOLD THIS
MY NAME IS SARAH AND I SERVE AS A MANAGER IN THE LONG RUN WELLNESS CENTER.
AND I AM JUST ONE OF THE MANY DEDICATED FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS WHO WORK WITH OUR AMAZING STUDENT STAFF TEAM THAT WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.
WE HAD 127 STUDENTS CLOSELY SUPPORT OUR OFFICE WITH SOME FOLKS WORKING UP TO 20 HOURS A WEEK WITH US.
OF THOSE 32, UNFORTUNATELY WE'LL BE GRADUATING, BUT FORTUNATELY FOR THEM, AND WE'RE ESPECIALLY THRILLED TO HAVE A FEW OF THOSE FOLKS REPRESENTED WITH US HERE TODAY, OUR STUDENT STAFF ARE TRULY THE HEARTBEAT OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO EVERY DAY.
THEY BRING ENERGY, CREATIVITY, AND A DEEP PASSION FOR OUR WORK THAT FILLS OUR OFFICE WITH LAUGHTER, JOY, AND A STRONG SENSE OF PURPOSE.
THEY ALSO BRING PERSPECTIVE AND LIVED EXPERIENCES ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A COLLEGE STUDENT, WHICH GREATLY SHAPES AND STRENGTHENS ALL OF OUR HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTION EFFORTS.
OUR STUDENTS COME FROM MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, PURSUE A WIDE RANGE OF DEGREES, AND CARRY UNIQUE PROFESSIONAL ASPIRATIONS FOR AFTER THEY GRADUATE.
WHAT UNITES THEM IS THIS SHARED COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A HEALTHIER CAMPUS COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT, ONE WHERE THEIR FRIENDS, PEERS, AND THEIR FELLOW LONGHORNS CAN THRIVE.
THEY INSPIRE US, THEY MOTIVATE US, AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF EACH ONE OF THEM.
WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE CONTRIBUTED THIS YEAR.
THRILLED TO HONOR YOU TODAY, AND THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER AND YOUR TEAM FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND YOUR CONTINUED RECOGNITION OF THE LONGHORN WELLNESS CENTER AND THE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT LEADERS WE'RE PRIVILEGED TO WORK WITH.
DO, DO YOU WANNA DO A GROUP PICTURE? YEAH.
Y'ALL MAYBE SCOOT THIS WAY AND FROM THE MORE THIS WAY.
CAN WE DO A NORMAL PHOTO AND THEN I'LL HOOK UP? YEAH,
[6. Distinguished Service Award – Bob Kahn – To be presented by City Manager T.C. Broadnax]
WE, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.FIRST, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO HELP US CELEBRATE BOB CONN ON HIS VERY IMPRESSIVE AND VERY LONG 40 YEAR CAREER IN THE PUBLIC POWER INDUSTRY.
BOB'S CONNECTION TO AUSTIN ENERGY RUNS DEEP, AND TODAY WE WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, UM, SOME OF THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
HE STARTED HIS CAREER HERE AND THEN LEFT TO EXPLORE NEW OPPORTUNITIES, RETURNED MID-CAREER, AND, AND THEN WHEN HE, WHEN HE JOINED IN HIS MID-CAREER, HE TOOK ON VARIOUS LEADERSHIP ROLES HERE, AND THEN HE LEFT AGAIN AND THEN REJOINED US BACK IN 2023 AND HAS MADE A GRAND RETURN TO LEAD THE, THE CITY, UH, THE UTILITY.
THROUGHOUT THAT JOURNEY, BOB WORE MANY HATS AT AUSTIN ENERGY, INCLUDING DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, GENERAL COUNSEL, AND VICE PRESIDENT OF LEGAL SERVICES BEFORE ULTIMATELY STEPPING INTO THE ROLE OF GENERAL MANAGER.
BUT BOB'S LEADERSHIP, SPECIFICALLY IN THE ELECTRIC INDUSTRY, GOES WAY BEYOND AND HAS STRETCHED WAY BEYOND AUSTIN.
HE SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ERCOT AND SPENT MORE THAN A DECADE AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY TO HELP SHAPE THE ELECTRIC GRID FOR ALL OF TEXAS.
SINCE COMING BACK TO AUSTIN, BOB HAS HELPED STRENGTHEN AUSTIN ENERGY'S FINANCES, IMPROVE THE RELIABILITY OF OUR SYSTEM, AND SET A CLEAR PATH FORWARD WITH THE RESOURCE GENERATION AND CLIMATE PROTECTION PLAN TO 2035.
BOB'S IMPACT IS LASTING, NOT JUST HERE IN AUSTIN, BUT ACROSS THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY.
SO TODAY, BOB, WE'RE HERE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND FOR SPECIFICALLY, UM, WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND, AND HOW YOU'VE MADE SURE THAT WHEN WE TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH ON, THE LIGHTS, TURN ON
AND, UH, WITH THAT I DO HAVE A, UM, A, UM, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.
UM, IT READS FOR HIS UNTIRING SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO OUR RESIDENTS DURING HIS MORE THAN 40 YEARS DEDICATED TO THE ELECTRIC INDUSTRY.
UM, THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD IS PRESENTED TO YOU, BOB KHAN.
AND SO BOB, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING.
WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU'VE DONE.
I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF STAFF HERE.
I WANNA WANNA SEE IF, IF YOU WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS AND YEAH.
I'LL, I'LL STEP WAY, WON'T GO TOO LONG.
UH, I REALLY WANTED TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL AND JOHN FOR THE SUPPORT WHILE I'VE BEEN BACK.
AND I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK THE TEAM THAT WE HAVE AT AUSTIN ENERGY.
THEY DO A GREAT JOB EVERY DAY.
ALL THE STAFF DOES A GREAT JOB EVERY DAY SERVING AND PROVIDING GREAT SERVICES TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I'VE HAD A GREAT TIME COMING BACK.
I GET A GROUP PHOTO REAL QUICK.
[00:35:01]
PERFECT.CAN EVERYBODY, AND IN 3, 2, 1.