[00:00:04]
[Proclamation – AARP -Social Security 90th Anniversary – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes]
GOOD MORNING.I'M VANESSA FUENTES, MAYOR PRO TEM, AN AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, AND WE ARE HERE AT AUSTIN CITY HALL.
TODAY IS A SPECIAL MORNING FOR US.
WE ARE CELEBRATING AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR 90 YEARS NOW, NEARLY A WHOLE CENTURY.
SOCIAL SECURITY HAS BEEN A LIFELINE FOR AUSTINITES, FOR TEXANS, AND FOR AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
IT'S THE SINGLE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IN OUR AMERICAN HISTORY DERIVED FROM THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE VERY REAL AND TANGIBLE ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS, EVERYDAY WORKING FAMILY SPACE.
WHETHER YOU'RE A RETIREE, A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY, OR SOMEONE WHO'S LOST A LOVED ONE, SOCIAL SECURITY IS HERE TO PROVIDE DIGNITY, STABILITY, AND THE ABILITY TO MEET BASIC NEEDS.
BUT WE CANNOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.
DESPITE ITS SUCCESS, SOCIAL SECURITY CONTINUES TO COME UNDER THREAT FROM THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER CUT BENEFITS THAN PROTECT THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO RELY UPON IT.
PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY AT ALL COSTS MEANS PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES, OUR SENIORS, AND OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE.
I ALSO WANNA THANK THE INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP MAKE AGING IN AUSTIN SAFER AND HEALTHIER.
THE A A RP AGE OF CENTRAL TEXAS MEALS ON WHEELS AND MORE, THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING, THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSION ON AGING, FAMILY ELDER CARE AND AGING IS COOL, WHICH I WANNA LEARN MORE ABOUT.
THIS ORGANIZATION IN PARTICULAR.
YOUR ADVOCACY AND DIRECT SUPPORT ENSURE THAT OUR OLDER ADULTS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN, AND THAT THEY ARE CELEBRATED, RESPECTED, AND EMPOWERED.
I'M SO PROUD TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO JESSICA LEHMAN, SENIOR ASSOCIATE AND THE STATE DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY AT A A RP TEXAS.
WHEREAS SOCIAL SECURITY HAS SERVED AS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, PROVIDING A CRITICAL FOUNDATION FOR THE FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE.
WHEREAS NEARLY 4.7 MILLION TEXANS, INCLUDING ALMOST 3.3 MILLION RETIRED WORKERS, RELY ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS EACH MONTH TO HELP COVER ESSENTIAL LIVING COSTS LIKE HOUSING, FOOD, AND MEDICAL CARE.
AND WHEREAS FROM 2018 TO 2020, SOCIAL SECURITY HAS LIFTED OVER 1 MILLION TEXANS, AGE 65 AND OLDER OUT OF POVERTY, PROTECTING NEARLY 40% OF OLDER TEXANS FROM ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND ENSURING DIGNITY AND STABILITY THAT THEY DESERVE IN RETIREMENT.
AND WHEREAS SOCIAL SECURITY HAS INJECTED OVER $72.8 BILLION INTO TEXAS ECONOMY EVERY YEAR AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE THROUGH HOUSEHOLD SPENDING AND FINANCIAL RESILIENCE.
AND WHEREAS AS WE RECOGNIZE THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE, OF THIS LANDMARK PROGRAM, WE REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO DEFENDING AND STRENGTHENING SOCIAL SECURITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AUSTINITES.
BECAUSE AGING SHOULD NEVER BE ME, SHOULD NEVER MEAN INSECURITY AND JUST, AND A JUST SOCIETY ENSURES ITS ELDERS ARE NEVER LEFT BEHIND.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES MAYOR PRO TEM ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 28TH, 2025 AS SOCIAL SECURITY 90TH ANNIVERSARY DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
JACKIE, CAN YOU
AS MAYOR PROTI SAID, 90 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, OUR COUNTRY MADE A PROMISE TO PROVIDE HARDWORKING AMERICANS WITH A FOUNDATION FOR FINANCIAL SECURITY IN RETIREMENT.
THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM IS UNDER PRESSURE.
SOCIAL SECURITY IS PAYING OUT MORE TO BENEFICIARIES THAN IT IS COLLECTING IN REVENUE.
UNLESS CONGRESS TAKES ACTION BY 2035, OLDER AMERICANS WILL SEE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS REDUCED.
THAT IS WHY CONTINUING TO WORK ON MAKING AND KEEPING AUSTIN AN AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY IS SO IMPORTANT.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK MAYOR PRO TEM FUENTES FOR HER SUPPORT OF AGE-FRIENDLY, INCLUDING DIVERSE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS AND TRANSPORTATION ACCESS, JUST TO NAME A FEW OF THE COMPONENTS OF THAT PROGRAM.
AND WE ARE GOING TO NEED THESE MORE THAN EVER.
AS AUSTIN CONTINUES TO GROW AND TO AGE, THIS 90TH ANNIVERSARY ISN'T JUST A CELEBRATION, IT'S A TIME FOR REFLECTION AND TO LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE.
AND RIGHT NOW, SOCIAL SECURITY IS STILL DOING WHAT IT WAS BUILT TO DO, AND IT'S UP TO ALL OF US TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SECURE FOR THE NEXT 90 YEARS.
AND THEN WE'LL JUST DO A LITTLE GROUP PHOTO HERE.
[00:07:05]
GOOD MORNING[Proclamation – World Breastfeeding month – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes]
EVERYONE.I'M VANESSA FUENTES, MAYOR PRO TEM, AND AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER HERE AT AUSTIN CITY HALL.
JOINED ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL LANE, AND WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE WORLD BREASTFEEDING MONTH, A TIME TO REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO HEALTHY BEGINNINGS AND HOPEFUL FUTURES FOR EVERY CHILD AND PARENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
BREASTFEEDING IS A POWERFUL FOUNDATION FOR A LIFELONG HEALTH DEVELOPMENT AND FOR LIFELONG HEALTH DEVELOPMENT AND EQUITY.
IT REDUCES HEALTHCARE COSTS, BOOSTS COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, AND STRENGTHENS FAMILIES.
SO WHEN WE INVEST IN BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT, WE'RE NOT ONLY DOING WHAT'S RIGHT, BUT WE'RE ALSO DOING WHAT'S SMART.
AS CHAIR OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE, I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW OUR POLICIES THAT SUPPORT MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH STRENGTHEN OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
AND I'M PROUD THAT OUR CITY CONTINUES TO, TO SUPPORT INCLUSIVE FAMILY-CENTERED POLICIES.
I WANNA EXTEND A HEARTFUL THANK YOU TO THE ORGANIZATIONS WHO WORK EVERY DAY TO SUPPORT AND UPLIFT BREASTFEEDING FAMILIES.
WE HAVE OUR WIC, WOMEN AND CHILDREN SUPPORTING CLINIC, THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND OUR LOCAL, OUR LOCAL ADVOCATES AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.
I'M NOW PROUD TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO ANGELA BRIDGE.
ANGELA BRIDGE OUR WIC BREASTFEEDING COORDINATOR TO, IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR DEDICATION TO HEALTH AND THE WELLBEING OF OUR AUSTIN FAMILIES, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS BREASTFEEDING IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED BY HEALTH EXPERTS AS THE BEST SOURCE OF NUTRITION FOR INFANTS, IT OFFERS HEALTH DEVELOPMENT AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS FOR BOTH BABIES AND FAMILIES.
AND WHEREAS THE WEEK OF AUGUST 15TH THROUGH THE 31ST, AUGUST 25TH THROUGH THE 31ST IS OBSERVED AS BLACK BREASTFEEDING WEEK AND SEPTEMBER 1ST THROUGH THE SEVENTH IS RECOGNIZED AS WORKPLACE LACTATION WEEK.
THESE OBSERVATIONS HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR INCLUSIVE SUPPORT FOR ALL FAMILIES, WHETHER THEY BREASTFEED CHEST FEED OR EXPRESS HUMAN MELT, AND EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVOCATING FOR RACIAL EQUITY, ELIMINATING WORKPLACE BARRIERS, AND FOSTERING SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ALL LACTATING INDIVIDUALS CAN THRIVE.
AND WHEREAS PROGRAMS PROVIDING LACTATION COUNSELING AND EDUCATION, PEER SUPPORT, HOME VISITS, DONOR MILK AND RESOURCES HELP FAMILIES BEGIN AND CONTINUE BREASTFEEDING WHILE FOSTERING A BREAST FREE, UH, BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY CULTURE ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS COMMUNITIES FLOURISH WHEN HEALTHCARE POLICY, WORKPLACE EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY SECTORS WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS EQUAL ACCESS TO BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT, AND WHEN FAMILIES ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE INFORMED INFANT FEEDING DECISIONS IN ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL JOURNEYS.
[00:10:01]
I VANESSA FUENTES MAYOR PRO TEM, ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL LANE, ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST, 2025 AS NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.UM, I'M HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AUGUST IS NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING MONTH 2025 HERE IN AUSTIN.
THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL THEME FORWARD TOGETHER REMINDS US THAT BREASTFEEDING IS NOT JUST A PERSONAL JOURNEY, IT'S A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.
SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MEANS COMING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, FAMILIES, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, EMPLOYERS, AND POLICY MAKERS TO BUILD SYSTEMS THAT HELP ALL PARENTS SUCCEED.
WE ALSO ALIGN WITH THE GLOBAL MESSAGE FROM THE WORLD ALLIANCE FOR BREASTFEEDING ACTION, WHICH IS PRIORITIZE BREASTFEEDING, CREATE SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT SYSTEMS. THAT MEANS MAKING LONG-TERM EQUITABLE SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO EVERY FAMILY, NO MATTER THEIR BACKGROUND.
AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH IS PROUD TO LEAD THIS WORK BY OFFERING PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAM, MOMS PLACE, LACTATION SUPPORT CENTER, THE MATERNAL INFANT OUTREACH PROGRAM, FAMILY CONNECTS, AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN MOTHER FRIENDLY WORK SITES PROGRAM AMONG OTHERS.
WE ARE FOSTERING STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE MOTHER'S MILK BANK OF AUSTIN, HEALTHY FAMILIES OF TRAVIS COUNTY, BLACK MAMAS, A TX, GIVING AUSTIN LABOR SUPPORT ANY BABY CAN HEALING HANDS, COMMUNITY DOULA, PROJECT MAMA SAUNA, AND MANY MORE.
WITH THIS PROCLAMATION, WE AFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER TOWARDS A HEALTHIER, MORE SUPPORTED FUTURE FOR ALL FAMILIES IN AUSTIN.
YEAH, DEFINITELY STEP AROUND THE PODIUM.
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE, AND THANK
[Proclamation – Mina Davis Day – To be presented by Council Member José Velásquez]
YOU FOR JOINING US.I'M COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ, AND I'M FLANKED BY TWO OF MY, UH, COLLEAGUES, THE MAYOR PRO TE VANESSA FUENTES AND COUNCILMAN RYAN ALTER.
AND I AM HONORED TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE AND WELCOME AN AMAZING LEADER AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, UM, A PERSON THAT INSPIRES ME IN, IN AUSTIN.
UM, WE HAVE FOLKS THAT STEP INTO THE GAP, THAT, THAT STAND UP WHEN, UH, WHEN ISSUES ARISE.
AND WE CANNOT, CANNOT PUT ENOUGH OF A PREMIUM ON THE THANKS THAT, THAT WE GIVE THEM.
AND I AM SO HONORED TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE MY DEAR FRIEND MINA DAVIS THROUGH HER NONPROFIT VALLEY OF HOPE.
SHE'S SAVING LIVES AND MAKING AN IMPACTFUL DIFFERENCE FOR FOLKS ACROSS AUSTIN.
FACING FOOD INSECURITY, HER COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES, FOOD BANKS, AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES, UH, MEANS OUR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE MOST IN NEED ARE GETTING RELIABLE, NOURISHING, AND HEALTHY FOOD.
MINA IS A POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF HOW ONE COMMUNITY MEMBER CAN TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
NOW I GET TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS MINA DAVIS IS A FIERCE CHICAGOAN WHO MADE AUSTIN HER HOME
[00:15:01]
SIX YEARS AGO AND HAS DEDICATED MUCH OF HER TIME TO BEING A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE THAT MOVED OVER 1 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD THROUGHOUT THE AUSTIN METRO AREA TO DATE.AND WHEREAS AS THE FOUNDER OF VALLEY OF HOPE, SHE HAS MADE STEADFASTLY HAS BEEN STEADFASTLY DEDICATED TO COMING UP WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS WHEN IT COMES TO FEEDING COMMUNITIES.
AND WHEREAS A DEVOTED PARTNER, COMMUNITY AUNTIE, UH, FUTURE REGISTERED DIETICIAN AND CURRENT COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER, SHE LEAD LEADS FIERCELY WITH LOVE PROVING THAT WHILE ROUTINES, PEOPLE, AND PLACES MAY CHANGE, THE WORK IS ALWAYS THERE.
AND WHEREAS MINA DAVIS IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH OTHERS TO DU UH, TO REDUCING FOOD WASTE, INCREASING FOOD ACCESS, AND KEEPING PEOPLE HEALTHY BY CONTINUING TO WORK TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY IN A MULTITUDE OF WAYS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND MAYOR KIRK WATSON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUSTIN, UH, AUGUST 28TH, 2025 AS MINA DAVIS DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY IF YOU WORDS, UH, YEAH.
SO A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE IS THAT IT'S CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH THIS HAS BLOWN UP SINCE 2021.
AND FRANKLY, UH, WHEN YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT, THERE'S NO STOPPING.
UH, YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKING TO SOME FOLKS OUTSIDE AND I SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? I AM SO FOOD OBSESSED.
LET'S, LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
AND WITH OUR COMMUNITY, UH, INNOVATION AND JUST DEDICATION, IT'S BEEN A TRUE HONOR.
AND SO EVEN AFTER THIS, I'M GOING TO TELL Y'ALL WE'RE GETTING RIGHT BACK TO IT.
YES, WE TAKE OUR BREAKS, BUT HEY, UM, I'M SO HONORED, UM, TO BE HERE AND TO CONTINUE THE WORK.
[Proclamation – Chris Baker Day – To be presented by Council Member Ryan Alter]
I AM COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HONOR ONE OF DISTRICT FIVE'S FINEST RESIDENTS TODAY, UH, CHRIS BAKER, AND FOR THOSE WHO FREQUENT CITY HALL, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE SEEN CHRIS A LOT LATELY, PROBABLY MORE THAN HE WISHES.UM, BUT THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, CHRIS HAS BEEN SOMEBODY WHO HAS PROVEN HIMSELF TIME AND AGAIN TO BE DEDICATED TO TRYING TO SOLVE ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGES.
AND THAT IS AROUND HOMELESSNESS.
UM, WE HAVE FOR A LONG TIME TRIED TO FIND DIFFERENT WAYS TO MAKE SURE OUR NEIGHBORS CAN HAVE DIGNITY AND BE INDOORS.
AND CHRIS HAS SEEN THAT NEED AND SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M GONNA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
UH, AND WE COULDN'T BE MORE THANKFUL, UH, AND PROUDER TO HAVE CHRIS DOING WHAT HE'S DOING, OR I GUESS NOW WHAT HE JUST RETIRED FROM DOING AT THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION.
UM, BUT HIS HEART IS CLEARLY STILL IN IT.
AND I KNOW THAT WE ARE BETTER OFF AS A CITY BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT CHRIS HAS DONE OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.
SO, I'M GONNA READ A PROCLAMATION THAT KIND OF GOES OVER SOME OF THE AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENTS, UH, OF CHRIS AND THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION, AND THEN I'LL LET YOU SAY A FEW WORDS, IF YOU WILL.
[00:20:02]
CHRIS BAKER FOUNDED THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION IN 2017, AND THROUGH COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY AND THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS, HE HAS TIRELESSLY DEDICATED THE LAST EIGHT YEARS TO FIGHT THE, TO FIGHT TO END UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.AND WHEREAS CHRIS BAKER, AS FOUNDER OF THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION, HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND FIERCE COMMITMENT TO ENDING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, ADVOCACY, AND BY PROVIDING SHELTER WORK OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT AT ESPERANZA COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS UNDER CHRIS BAKER'S LEADERSHIP, THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION HAS PROVIDED CRITICAL RESOURCES, SHELTER AND SUPPORT TO THOUSAND TO COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS HELPING TO RESTORE DIGNITY, STABILITY, AND PATHWAYS TO HOPE TO THOSE EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND WHEREAS CHRIS BAKER HAS BEEN A BEACON OF HOPE FOSTERING COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES, PHILAN, PHIL PHILANTHROPISTS AND OTHER NONPROFITS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS AND CREATE LASTING SOLUTIONS.
AND WHEREAS CHRIS BAKER, THROUGH HIS STRATEGIC VISION AND COMPASSIONATE APPROACH, HAS RAISED AWARENESS AND INSPIRED THE COMMUNITY TO ACT TOWARD ENDING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS, MAKING A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF MANY.
AND WHEREAS CHRIS BAKER'S STEADFAST EFFORTS AND ADVOCACY HAVE BROUGHT OUR CITY CLOSER TO A FUTURE WHERE HOMELESSNESS IS NOT ONLY ADDRESSED BUT ERADICATED, ENSURING THAT EVERY PERSON HAS A SAFE, STABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME.
SO NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER ORION AL ALTER ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 28TH AS CHRIS BAKER DAY.
ALRIGHT, UH, WELL, UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER AL ALTER.
I, UM, SERVING IN THE ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OTHER ONES FOUNDATION HAS BEEN, UH, ONE OF THE GREAT HONORS, UH, OF MY LIFE.
UH, I, I WOULD'VE NEVER THOUGHT THAT WHEN WE FOUNDED THE ORGANIZATION EARLY ON THAT IT WOULD GROW TO BECOME THE ENTITY THAT IT IS TODAY.
AND PEOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME, UH, HOW I STARTED AND GREW AND RAN THIS NONPROFIT ALL BY MYSELF.
AND, UH, I WANNA MAKE ONE THING ABUNDANTLY CLEAR, IS THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ANYONE DOES BY THEMSELVES.
UM, THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY FOR WHICH I'M PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL, UH, EARLY ON.
PEOPLE LIKE DAVID GOMEZ, UH, STEPPED UP TO HELP, UH, SUPPORT ME AND HELP HELP ME LEARN THE, THE LANDSCAPE OF, OF HOMELESS SERVICES.
UH, LIZ HAS, OF COURSE, BEEN INCREDIBLY, UH, SUPPORTIVE AND WE ARE AT A MOMENT RIGHT NOW WHEN WE HAVE A MAYOR AND COUNCIL THAT, UH, ARE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF, UH, FIGHTING HOMELESSNESS THAN, UM, ANY ION COUNCIL I'VE SEEN BEFORE.
AND OF COURSE, THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE IMITABLE, UM, IMITABLE, DAVID GRAY
UH, SO IF, UH, I CAN, I GUESS I CAN, UH, JUST LEAVE YOU WITH THIS, UM, WE DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE HOMELESSNESS RARE, BRIEF, AND NON-REOCCURRING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I THINK WE ARE WELL POSITIONED TO DO THAT.
UH, AND I THINK THAT WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE FOR AN IDIOT LIKE ME TO HAND OFF THE, UH, REIGNS OF, UH, OF A BIG DO-GOODER ORGANIZATION TO THE ACTUAL PROFESSIONALS.
WE LEFT OFF YOUR TV STARDOM ON HERE.
WELL, LET'S GET A PICTURE RIGHT.
[00:25:18]
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.[Additional Item]
WE'RE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE AND HONOR SOMEONE WHO HAS TRULY MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE L-G-B-T-Q COMMUNITY.THE CURRENT COMMISSIONERS OF THE L-G-B-T-Q COM QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECENTLY CAME TOGETHER AND VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO RECOGNIZE AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE SERVICE HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF EXTRAORDINARY.
THAT PERSON IS BRANDON WILLERSON.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE L-G-B-T-Q, QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION, WE CAN'T DO SO WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT BRANDON.
HE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THIS GROUP, AND HE PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN SHAPING ITS MISSION, ITS STRUCTURE, AND ITS PRIORITIES.
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, HIS VISION HELPED BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR EVERYTHING WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED.
BRANDON SERVED ON THIS COMMISSION FOR A DECADE, AND THROUGHOUT THAT TIME, HE WAS A STEADY AND THOUGHTFUL PRESENCE.
THOSE WHO WORKED ALONGSIDE HIM CONSISTENTLY DESCRIBE HIM AS INTELLIGENT AND DEEPLY ANALYTICAL IN DISCUSSIONS, ESPECIALLY IN MOMENTS OF TENSION.
HE WAS A STABILIZING FORCE, SOMEONE WHO ASKED THE INSIGHTFUL QUESTIONS THAT MOVED US ALL FORWARD BEYOND HIS WORK ON THE COMMISSION.
BRANDON'S DEDICATION TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION HAS HAD A MEANINGFUL AND LASTING IMPACT ON THE L-G-B-T-Q COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN.
HIS COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT AND HIS WORK WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS AND NONPROFITS HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR CITY'S CAPACITY TO SERVE ALL RESIDENTS MORE EFFECTIVELY AND COMPASSIONATELY.
HE CONTINUES TO BE A LEADER THROUGH HIS ONGOING CIVIC AND NONPROFIT WORK.
HIS LEGACY IS A MORE EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE AUSTIN.
BRANDON, YOUR VISION AND LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT HAVE MADE THIS CITY A BETTER PLACE.
ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AND THE L-G-B-T-Q QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION, I FORMALLY EXTEND OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO YOU.
IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.
THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR TIME, YOUR WORK AND YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
I WAS NOT PREPARED TO GIVE, UH, REMARKS, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY, UH, EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, I GUESS FORMER COMMISSIONERS, UM, SINCE I'M NOW A FORMER COMMISSIONER.
UM, FOR, UM, FOR ALL THAT WE'VE DONE TOGETHER AND ALL THAT, THAT WE HAVE LEARNED IN OUR PROCESS OF BUILDING THIS, UH, COMMISSION TOGETHER AND TRYING TO, UH, ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR, WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE AS A COMMUNITY SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO ADVANCE, UH, THAT THE KEY WORK, UH, THAT THAT LIES AHEAD OF US.
AND SO I'M JUST REALLY GRATEFUL THAT, UM, FOR, UH, THE EIGHT YEARS THAT I SERVED ON THE COMMISSION, UM, WE DID A LOT OF GOOD WORK TOGETHER.
AND THE WORK STILL CONTINUES, EVEN THOUGH I'M NO LONGER ON THE COMMISSION, BUT EXCITED TO HELP CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND IN MANY WAYS AND, AND REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTINUED LEADERSHIP THAT EXISTS ON THE COMMISSION NOW.
AND SO I'M JUST GONNA SWITCH SLIDES WITH YOU REAL QUICK.
FOR YOUR UNTIRING SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO OUR RESIDENTS AS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE L-G-B-T-Q, QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION, BRANDON WILLERSON, I HEREBY PRESENT THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.