[00:00:04]
[Proclamation – Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) Day – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes]
I'M VANESSA FUENTES.PROUD TO SERVE AS AUSTIN'S MAYOR PRO TEM.
IN JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS, WE WILL BE CELEBRATING ONE OF AUSTIN'S MOST FUN, JOYFUL, AND IMPACTFUL FOR EVENTS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY.
HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN MUSICIANS DAY, ALSO KNOWN AS HAM, CAPTURES THE TRUE, AUTHENTIC AND QUINTESSENTIAL AUSTIN VIBE.
IT BRINGS TOGETHER HUNDREDS OF LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES ACROSS OUR LIVE VENUES, RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, PARKS, AND PUBLIC PLACES, ALL TO SUPPORT ONE MISSION, AND THAT IT'S MAKING SURE AUSTIN'S MUSICIANS HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, HIGH QUALITY HEALTHCARE.
SO IN TRUE AUSTIN FASHION, LET'S COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE AND THE ARTISTS WHO MAKE OUR CITY SO SPECIAL THIS SEPTEMBER 23RD.
WITH THAT IS NOW MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION TO PAUL SCOTT, CEO OF HAM.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO HOLD THIS VERY GOOD, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS AUSTIN IS A SELF-PROCLAIMED LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, WHERE THE AUSTIN MUSIC INDUSTRY BRINGS IN BILLIONS OF REVENUES AND PROVIDES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS TO THE CITY.
AND WHEREAS THE HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN, MUSICIANS KNOWN AS HAM, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2005 BY THE LATE ROBIN SHIVERS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR AUSTIN'S LOW INCOME WORKING MUSICIANS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES VIBRANT MUSIC COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.
AND WHEREAS HAM HAS SERVED THOUSANDS OF CENTRAL TEXAN MUSICIANS OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, PROVIDING ACCESS TO MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, MENTAL HEALTH, AND WELLNESS SERVICES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNATTAINABLE FOR MANY OF OUR CITY'S TALENTED ARTISTS.
AND WHEREAS HAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY ONE THIRD OF WORKING MUSICIANS IN AUSTIN, PROVIDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE TO AUSTIN'S LOW INCOME WORKING MUSICIANS, HAS PROVIDED MEMBERS 215 MILLION IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES SINCE 2005.
AND WHEREAS SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HAM HELP FOSTER, HELP FOSTER AND NURTURE AUSTIN'S UNIQUE CREATIVE APPEAL, AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR, THE ORGAN, THE ORGANIZATION CELEBRATES ITS 20TH HAM DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTING TWO DECADES OF GROWTH, STABILITY, AND CRITICAL WORK, PROVIDING LIVE SAVING HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO COST BURDEN WORKING MUSICIANS IN CENTRAL TEXAS.
AND WHEREAS HAM DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL IS THE LARGEST ONE DAY ALL LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL SUPPORTING LOCAL MUSICIANS, AND IN AN EXCITING COMMUNITY-WIDE EXPERIENCE WHERE CENTRAL TEXANS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO MORE THAN 250 CAREFULLY CURATED PERFORMANCES BY OVER 300 MUSICIANS AT MORE THAN 100 VENUES THROUGHOUT AUSTIN, ALL FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EVERY YEAR.
HAM DAY FESTIVAL IS A CELEBRATION TO OUR MUSIC COMMUNITY, AND THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES AUSTIN'S MAYOR PRO TEM, ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER PAIGE ELLIS ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2025 AS HAM DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN AUSTIN.
UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR PRO TEEZ, AND, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER PAIGE ELLIS AS WELL.
AND SO ON BEHALF OF, UM, ALL THE THOUSANDS OF MUSICIANS THAT WE SERVE AT HAM ALONG ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UM, THAT OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS HERE TODAY AND OUR STAFF AND ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, WE, WE THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF HAM AND ITS MISSION TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR OUR MUSICIANS.
AND WE'RE CELEBRATING THIS INCREDIBLE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAND DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL, UM, THE, ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE, IF NOT THE LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL OF ITS SORT, UM, IN THE WORLD.
AND SO WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE 700 MUSICIANS PERFORMING IN OVER 123 LOCATIONS, UH, AND CELEBRATING WHAT TRULY IS QUINTESSENTIAL AUSTIN, WHICH IS MUSIC.
SO THANK YOU ALL, WE APPRECIATE IT, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT HAM DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL.
[00:07:56]
GOOD MORNING.[Proclamation – DAWA Day– To be presented by Council Member José Velásquez]
I AM COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VAZQUEZ, AND IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.AS MY DEAR FRIEND SHAKA SAID, UH, WE ARE HERE TO SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT TODAY.
UH, IT, I AM EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO HONOR A FRIEND AND HIS ORGANIZATION AND TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
I AM CONSTANTLY INSPIRED BY SHAKAS WISDOM, HIS LOVE FOR COMMUNITY, HIS MISSION, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE SPACE HE'S BEEN ABLE TO CREATE FOR BIPOC INDIVIDUALS IN AUSTIN.
ALSO, AND I SAY THIS ALMOST EVERY TIME I GET TO CHAT ABOUT HIM, IF Y'ALL DON'T, PLEASE GO FOLLOW HIM ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
HE'S GOT, AND, AND I, AND I SINCERELY MEAN THIS ALL I'LL JUST ASIDE, HE HAS GOT SOME OF THE MOST THOUGHT PROVOKING AND INSPIRING ACTIVITY ON THERE.
AND I KNOW THAT I TELL, I HAVE TOLD HIM NUMEROUS TIMES, WE NEED A BOOK BY CHAKA OF JUST DAILY QUOTES, PERIOD.
THROUGH HIS ORGANIZATION, DAWA, HE'S HELPED ARTISTS CHASE THEIR PASSIONS, SUPPORT FOLKS WHO ARE MOST IN NEED, AND CONTINUE TO CREATE COMMUNITY.
DAWA GIVES TO THE GIVERS YEAH.
AND ENSURES THAT THIS CITY AND ITS PEOPLE STAY CONNECTED AND PROSPEROUS.
IN THIS WORLD, AND RIGHT NOW IT CAN SEEM LIKE OUR WORLD, IT CAN SEEM LIKE IT IS DEVOID OF LIGHT, THAT THERE IS NO AIR TO BREATHE.
DAWA IS THAT AIR, DAWA IS THAT LIGHT.
DAWA IS WHAT THIS CITY NEEDS, AND I'M HONORED TO RECOGNIZE THEM HERE WITH A PRO TODAY.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS JONATHAN SHAKA MAHOME FOUNDED DAWA IN 2019 AS A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE LACK OF A SAFETY NET FOR THE CITY'S GIVERS WHO DO ESSENTIAL BUT OFFER OFTEN UNDERAPPRECIATED AND UNDERPAID WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS SINCE ITS INCEPTION, DAWA HAS DIRECTLY DISTRIBUTED OVER 425,000,
[00:10:02]
OVER $425,000 TO HONOR, CELEBRATE, AND EMPOWER BIPOC, BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR COMMUNITY FRONTLINERS IN THE AUSTIN AREA, INCLUDING OUR EDUCATORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, SERVICE INDUSTRY STAFF AND ARTISTS.AND WHEREAS DAWA, WHICH STANDS FOR DIVERSITY, AWARENESS AND WELLNESS AND ACTION, AND ALSO MEANS MEDICINE IN SWAHILI, FOSTERS HEALING AND CONNECTION THROUGH MULTIPLE INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE DAWA FUND, VISION 8, 2, 9, 1, THE BLACK LIVE MUSIC FUND AND FREE STUDIO TIME AND CREATIVE SPACE AT DAWA STUDIOS.
AND WHEREAS IN THOSE COLLABORATIVE, IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH MULTIPLE LOCAL BUSINESSES, DAWA HAS CREATED A VITAL AND VIBRANT NETWORK, EMPOWERING AUSTINITES TO EASILY GIVE TO THE GIVERS VIA AN, VIA AN ARTIST CENTERED ECOSYSTEM THAT CELEBRATES AND NORMALIZES A SPIRIT OF HEALING AND RECIPROCITY THAT WILL DEFINE THIS CITY FOR YEARS TO COME.
AND WHEREAS WORKING WITH A DEDICATED STAFF OF EMPLOYEES, BOARD MEMBERS, DONORS, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND VOLUNTEERS, DAWA CELEBRATES ITS ANNIVERSARY EVERY SEPTEMBER WITH A COMMUNITY-WIDE EVENT TO RECOGNIZE THE MEDICINE AND IMPACT MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH ITS INNOVATIVE AND NECESSARY MISSION.
AND Y'ALL MIGHT CATCH ME OUT THERE TOMORROW NIGHT.
I GOT MY TICKET NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE DAIS AND MAYOR KIRK WATSON OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2025 AS DAWA DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
WE DON'T WANT, WE DON'T WANT, I KNOW THERE'S PEOPLE COMING AT US WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE, OKAY.
Y'ALL MAKE SOME NOISE WITH MY WIFE AND, AND MY STEPMOM MAMA.
UM, MAN, I HAD SO MANY THOUGHTS TO, TO SHARE.
I WANNA START WITH, UH, A BROTHER.
WE GOTTA START WITH THE ELDERS.
OKAY? UH, THIS BROTHER TO ME REPRESENTS MUSIC ITSELF.
HANNIBAL, WOULD YOU MIND PLAYING A FEW NOTES FOR US BEFORE, BEFORE I SAY A FEW WORDS? COME ON.
LISTEN, LISTEN MAN, I TELL YOU WHAT, I TELL YOU WHAT, IT'S MUSIC.
THIS, THIS, THAT'S THE START OF THIS THAT'S GONNA BE, I DON'T EVEN, THIS IS GONNA GO ON FOREVER.
WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA KEEP THIS ENERGY GOING FOREVER.
MUSIC DOESN'T STOP, MEDICINE DOESN'T STOP.
I GOTTA, I GOTTA SHARE SOMETHING WITH Y'ALL.
I'M GONNA TAKE Y'ALL BACK TO 2018 REAL QUICK.
I WENT, UH, SAT DOWN WITH SOMEBODY.
I WAS A, A CHAIR OF A BOARD OUT HERE OF AN ORGANIZATION.
AND, AND I WAS ASKING HIM TO HELP WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS BUILDING.
ONE OF 'EM PARTICULARLY WAS, UH, SOMETHING CALLED ROSS DAY.
AND, UH, IN THE, IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT MEETING, HE STOPPED, HE PUSHED MY PROPOSAL AWAY FROM ME.
AND HE SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, SHAKA, YOU WOULD BE IN, UH, HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES.
YOU'D BE IN MORE ROOMS IF YOU DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT YOU TALK ABOUT.
THIS IS IN THE MIDST OF THE BOMBINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING.
THIS IS JUST AFTER THAT DRE MASON HAD PASSED REST IN PEACE, DRE MASON.
AND, UH, I TELL YOU WHAT, THAT THAT, UH, THAT MOMENT SOLIDIFIED A LOT FOR ME, RIGHT? BECAUSE, UH, WE CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? HE WAS SAYING THAT LIKE, YOU KNOW, IF, IF, IF, IF I WOULD JUST BE QUIET, IF I WOULD JUST STOP TALKING ABOUT THE INJUSTICES, IF I WOULD JUST STOP TALKING ABOUT THE WAYS THAT, UH, THE RACIAL BIAS PLAYS OUT IN THE SYSTEM OF AUSTIN, NOT JUST IN MUSIC, BUT ACROSS THE BOARD.
IF I HAD JUST STOPPED TALKING ABOUT THAT, THEN I WOULD HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY.
LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW.
[00:15:01]
$425,000 Y'ALL IN SIX YEARS.SHOULD I HAVE JUST STOP TALKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ME? NO, WE'RE NOT GONNA STOP TALKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US.
WE'RE NOT GONNA STOP TALKING ABOUT COMMUNITY.
WE'RE NOT GONNA START SHARING, STOP SHARING THESE MOMENTS BECAUSE THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.
WE BECAME A NONPROFIT IN 2022.
Y'ALL WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.
I WANT TO THANK MY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
PLEASE MAKE SOME NOISE FOR MY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT APPRECIATION.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE SAY, WE SEE YOU SAY, WE SEE YOU, WE SEE YOU.
YOUR YOUR HEART IS A BLESSING.
SO THANK YOU FOR SEEING ME IN THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE.
BUT THERE'S NO SEEING ME WITHOUT MY WIFE.
THERE'S NO SEEING ME WITHOUT ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE.
AND SOME WAY OR ANOTHER, YOU HAVE BLESSED ME TO JUST KEEP PUSHING FORWARD AND IT'S VICE VERSA.
THIS IS CALL AND RESPONSE BECAUSE THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO DIAL WITHOUT THE SUPPORT THAT WE GOT FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
QUEEN DEALERS HERE, SHE LET US STAY IN HER HOME FOR WHAT? TWO, THREE MONTHS.
WE WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE THAT SAYING, LOOK, KEEP GOING.
THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNITY, SEEING EACH OTHER, GIVING EACH OTHER THE SUPPORT THAT WE NEED SO WE CAN CONTINUE ON, RIGHT? MM-HMM
AND WE KNOW THAT THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT JUST DON'T BELIEVE IN IT.
BUT THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED THEM.
YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON? HE TOUCHED ON IT.
YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON OUT HERE.
LOVE IS THE WAY AND IT'S THE MEDICINE THAT'S GONNA, THAT'S GONNA TAKE US TO THE NEXT PLACE THAT WE NEED TO BE AS HUMAN BEINGS.
LET'S GET OUT IN THIS LOBBY AND PARTY A LITTLE BIT.
WE'RE GONNA TURN UP, WE'RE GONNA DANCE A LITTLE BIT.
WE'RE GONNA SHOUT A LITTLE BIT 'CAUSE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DAY.
OUR LAST THING I WANNA SAY IS THIS.
OKAY? UH, WE KNOW, WE KNOW NINE 11 RIGHT IS ABOUT 9 1 1 IS ABOUT CALLING RESPONSE.
IT'S ABOUT ASKING FOR HELP, RIGHT? THIS IS FOR THE GIVERS.
THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT SHOW UP WHEN NOBODY ELSE WAS.
THEY DO THEY THEY DO IT QUIETLY.
THESE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GONNA SHOW UP REGARDLESS.
THEY'RE GONNA KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR.
THEY'RE GONNA ASK WHAT YOU NEED.
THIS IS FOR THE GIVERS, THIS IS FOR THE COMMUNITY FRONTLINERS, THIS IS FOR AUSTIN.
[00:21:02]
[Proclamation – Sickle Cell Awareness Month – To be presented by Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri]
VELAZQUEZ.THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER, 2025 AS SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH IN AUSTIN.
ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL, SICKLE CELL DISEASE AFFECTS ABOUT A HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS PEOPLE OF COLOR.
MANY PEOPLE LIVE WITH SICKLE CELL.
MANY PEOPLE THAT THAT LIVE WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE DO NOT RECEIVE THE RECOMMENDED TREATMENT.
AND I'M SO PROUD TO SAY THAT DELL, DELL CHILDREN'S IS THE ONLY MEDICAL FACILITY IN AUSTIN AND ONE OF THE FEW IN THE REGION PROVIDING SPECIALIZED, COMPREHENSIVE CARE TO CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE.
I WANT TO THANK THE FAMILIES WHO ARE PERSONALLY IMPACTED BY SICKLE CELL DISEASE WHO HAVE JOINED US TODAY, AS WELL AS THE HEMATOLOGY TEAM FROM DELL CHILDREN'S BLOOD AND CANCER CENTER.
DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE CARE, DEDICATION AND EXPERTISE YOU BRING TO AUSTIN, TO FAMILIES IN AUSTIN.
YOUR WORK MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR LOVED ONES EVERY SINGLE DAY.
UM, AND NOW I HAVE THE HONOR OF PRESENTING THIS PROCLAMATION, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS THE MOST COMMON INHERITED BLOOD DISORDER WORLDWIDE, PATIENTS LIVING WITH, WITH THIS CHRONIC BLOOD DISORDER EXPERIENCE A WIDE RANGE OF SYSTEMS, UH, OF SYMPTOMS INCLUDING ANEMIA, PAIN EVENTS, STROKE, LIFE-THREATENING INFECTIONS, UM, ORGAN DAMAGE AND PREMATURE DEATH.
AND WHEREAS SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH WILL GENERATE GREATER RECOGNITION AND UNDERSTANDING OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, UH, WHICH CAN HELP GARNER SUPPORT AND DISPEL COMMON MYTHS ABOUT THE HIGHLY STIGMATIZED AND MISUNDERSTOOD DISEASE.
FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS COM COMMONLY MYTH THAT SICKLE CELL DISEASE ONLY AFFECTS BLACK INDIVIDUALS AND THAT PATIENTS LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE ARE ALWAYS IN THE HOSPITAL.
AND WHEREAS SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH WILL HELP ELEVATE AWARENESS, WHICH MAY ADVANCE RESEARCH EFFORTS FOR NEW TREATMENTS FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE.
AND WHEREAS SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH WILL FOSTER A GREATER SENSE OF COMMUNITY AMONG ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE AND COULD LEAD TO MORE PATIENT SUPPORT GROUPS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
NOW THEREFORE, I COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELAZQUEZ ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE DIOCESE AND MAYOR KIRK WATSON OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER, 2025 AS SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I WANNA THANK, UM, MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL FOR GRANTING THIS PROCLAMATION FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT CAUSE FOR SICKLE CELL AWARENESS AND FOR INVITING ME AND MEMBERS OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE SICKLE CELL TEAM HERE TODAY.
I AM AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, UM, AT UT AUSTIN AND THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THIS COMPREHENSIVE SICKLE CELL PROGRAM AT DELL CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER.
AS DOC AS A COUNCIL MEMBER OF VELASQUEZ MENTIONED, UM, SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS THE MOST COMMON INHERITED BLOOD DISORDER WORLDWIDE AND AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY A HUNDRED THOUSAND AMERICANS IN THE US.
UM, SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS DIAGNOSED IN THIS COUNTRY AT BIRTH AND CAUSES LIFE-THREATENING COMPLICATIONS SUCH AS SEVERE ANEMIA REQUIRING BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, UM, TERRIBLE PAIN EVENTS, UH, REQUIRING HOSPITAL HOSPITALIZATION AND IV PAIN MEDICINES AND STROKE.
IN ADDITION, SICKLE CELL CAUSES GRADUAL ORGAN DAMAGE THROUGHOUT A PATIENT'S LIFE.
AND THE LIFE EXPECT EXPECTANCY OF A PATIENT LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS 30 YEARS LESS THAN THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF AN AVERAGE HEALTHY ADULT.
OUR PATIENTS WHO WE WITHIN THE SICKLE CELL SPACE OFTEN REFER TO AS WARRIORS
[00:25:01]
NOT ONLY BATTLE THESE COMPLICATIONS ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS, BUT OFTEN EXPERIENCE NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES DUE TO THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE.SO REALLY INITIATIVES LIKE THIS AWARENESS AT THE LOCAL STATE AND REALLY EVEN THE NATIONAL LEVEL IS PARAMOUNT IN OUR FIGHT, UH, FOR EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE FOR THIS PATIENT POPULATION AND FOR THE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TREATMENTS AS WELL.
SO MY HOPE IS THAT THIS PROCLAMATION CAN SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND DIALOGUE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR SICKLE CELL PATIENTS FACE ON A DAILY BASIS AND ENCOURAGE FAMILY PLANNING THROUGH EARLY TESTING FOR SICKLE CELL TRAIT.
WE BELIEVE THAT INCREASED AWARENESS WILL LEAD TO IMPROVE POLICIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE, BOTH IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN SCHOOLS, AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO REALLY HIGH QUALITY CARE FOR THESE PATIENTS THAT TRULY DESERVE IT.
[Proclamation – Hand to Hold for NICU Awareness Month– To be presented by Council Member Krista Laine]
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AS WE RECOGNIZE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AWARENESS MONTH.THIS MONTH GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE EXPERIENCES OF NICU BABIES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE DEDICATED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WHO CARE FOR THEM.
EVERY YEAR, THOUSANDS OF CENTRAL TEXAS BABIES REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TREATMENT IN NICUS.
WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE TWO OF THE HIGHEST LEVEL NICUS, BOTH LEVEL FOUR AT DELL CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER AND ST.
THESE FACILITIES UTILIZE THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO CARE FOR, FOR OUR MOST FRAGILE PATIENTS.
AND I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH ARE HERE TODAY SO WE CAN HONOR THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK.
FROM DELL CHILDREN'S, WE HAVE PRESIDENT ADAM MESSER, UH, NEONATOLOGIST DR.
CHARLIE BOLTMAN, ASSISTANT CHIEF NURSING OFFICER AND NICU FETAL CENTER, OH, SORRY, I MISREAD THAT ONE.
[00:30:01]
NURSING OFFICER, LAURA KELLER AND DIRECTOR OF WOMEN'S HEALTH AND NICU FETAL CENTER SERVICE LINE.DAVID'S, THE DIVISION DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MAG MOSS.
AND I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, WHICH OPENS ITS AUSTIN FACILITY IN DISTRICT SIX IN NORTHWEST AUSTIN.
JUST LAST YEAR, THEY'VE ALREADY CARED FOR MORE THAN 200 NEWBORNS AND THEY'RE ON THE PATH TOWARD LEVEL FOUR DESIGNATION.
THIS PROGRESS REFLECTS THE DEDICATION OF THEIR HIGHLY SKILLED TEAM, THE DEPTH OF THEIR PEDIATRICS, SPECIALTY SUPPORT, AND THEIR INVESTMENT IN STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICES FROM TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
I WANT TO THANK, UH, PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTIN FOR AUSTIN AND CENTRAL TEXAS.
JEFF SCHUTT, NICU MEDICAL DIRECTOR, DR. MARK THOMPSON, VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, SHAUNA GARDNER, UH, FOR JOINING US TODAY.
YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT ARE HELPING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CRITICAL CARE FOR FAMILIES ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS, BUT NICU CARE IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE BABIES, IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE FAMILIES.
HAVING A CHILD IN NICU IS ONE OF THE HARDEST JOURNEYS A PARENT CAN FACE.
IT'S A TIME OF HOPE, FEAR, EXHAUSTION, AND DEEP LOVE ALL AT ONCE.
AS A FELLOW NICU MOM, I KNOW THIS EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND.
THAT'S WHY I'M SO GRATEFUL ALSO FOR HAND TO HOLD AND AUSTIN BASED NONPROFIT WITH OFFICES IN DISTRICT SIX IN NORTHWEST AUSTIN THAT PUTS FAMILIES AT THE VERY HEART OF, OF CARE, HAND TO HOLD, PROVIDES BEDSIDE ONE-ON-ONE PEER MENTORING SO THAT NO PARENT HAS TO WALK THIS PATH ALONE.
THEY OFFER FREE COUNSELING AND SUPPORT GROUPS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER A NICU STAY.
THEY ALSO HELP FAMILIES CELEBRATE PRECIOUS MILESTONES.
LIKE THE FIRST TIME A PARENT IS ABLE TO HOLD THEIR BABY'S HAND THROUGH A BEADED NECKLACE THAT COMMEMORATES EACH ACHIEVEMENT ALONG THE WAY.
WHAT BEGAN HERE IN AUSTIN HA IS NOW GROWING INTO A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
AND IT'S A POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF HOW ONE COMMUNITY'S COMPASSION CAN RIPPLE OUTWARD AND TOUCH THOUSANDS OF LIVES.
I'D LIKE TO THANK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KATRINA MOLINE AND THE ENTIRE HANDHOLD STAFF FOR BEING HERE AND FOR SERVING FAMILIES WITH SUCH CARE.
AND I ALSO WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THEIR FOUNDER, KELLY KELLY, WHO ON HER RETIREMENT AND TO CONGRATULATE HAND TO HOLD ON ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY.
KELLY, YOUR VISION AND LEADERSHIP HAVE TRANSFORMED WHAT SUPPORT FOR NICU FAMILIES LOOKS LIKE BOTH IN AUSTIN AND BEYOND.
TOGETHER ALL OF YOU REMIND US THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST PATIENTS DESERVE THE BIGGEST CARE AND THAT FAMILIES FACING ONE OF LIFE'S HARDEST CHALLENGES ARE NEVER ALONE.
UH, THANK YOU COUNCILMAN FOR ALTER FOR JOINING US.
AND WE WILL DO THE PROCLAMATIONS NOW, WHICH WE HAVE ONE FOR EACH OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT JOINED US TODAY.
AND IF YOU WANNA OPEN IT UP AND HOLD IT WHERE WE CAN SEE IT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT ACTUALLY.
SO BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS NICU AWARENESS MONTH RECOGNIZED, PLEASE, OOPS, COME ON.
WHEREAS NICU AWARENESS MONTH RECOGNIZED EVERY SEPTEMBER SHEDS LIGHT ON THE EXPERIENCES OF FAMILIES AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS INVOLVED IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE.
AND WHEREAS THE DEDICATED DOCTORS, NURSES, AND SUPPORT STAFF OF AUSTIN AREA HOSPITALS WITH THE HELP OF CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY TREAT AND SERVE OVER 5,000 BABIES IN THEIR NICU DEPARTMENTS ANNUALLY, PROVIDING WORLD CLASS SPECIALIZED CARE TO THE YOUNGEST LIVES, FIGHTING THE TOUGHEST BATTLES.
AND WHEREAS SOME FAMILIES EXPERIENCE LONG STAYS IN THE NICU, ENDURING COMPLEX MEDICAL ISSUES AND SOMETIMES LOSS, WHICH CAN BE BOTH STRESSFUL AND TRAUMATIC, WHETHER LONG OR SHORT, AND CAN IMPACT PARENT INFANT RELATIONSHIPS AND THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF EVERYONE INVOLVED.
AS MANY AS 70% OF NICU MOTHERS AND 40 TO 50% OF NICU PARENTS SUFFER FROM POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES ARE ON THE RISE.
WHEREAS HAND TO HOLD, A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERED IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, PARTNERS WITH ALL OF AUSTIN'S NICUS ENSURING THAT PARENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS HAVE ACCESS TO COMPASSIONATE CARE AND COMMUNITY.
THEY PUT FAMILIES FIRST ATTENDING TO THEIR NEEDS WITH EARLY INTERVENTION, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED CARE AT THE BEDSIDE, FREE COUNSELING AND SUPPORT GROUPS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE STRUGGLES OF A NICU STAY.
AND WHEREAS HANDHOLDS EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS PODCAST AND COMMEMORATIVE MILESTONE NECKLACES REACH NICU FAMILIES NATIONWIDE, MAKING IT ONE OF THE FIRST ORGANIZATIONS TO INTEGRATE PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING WITH PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT ON A NATIONAL SCALE, WHEREAS HAND TO HOLD MARKS ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
A MILESTONE THAT COINCIDES WITH THE RETIREMENT OF ITS FOUNDER, KELLY KELLY, WHOSE VISION HAS SHAPED NCU FAMILY SUPPORT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN ALSO RECOGNIZES THE VITAL ROLE OF LOCAL HOSPITALS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, DONORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE THIS LIFE-CHANGING SUPPORT POSSIBLE.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CRYSTAL LA COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT SIX ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, AND THE REST OF CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2025 AS NICU AWARENESS MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
[00:35:02]
AND I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE KELLY TO SAY A FEW WORDS IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO.AND WE WANNA THANK THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE, UM, THE AMAZING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, OUR WORLD CLASS MEDICAL CARE HERE IN AUSTIN.
AND, UM, OUR HAND TO HOLD STAFF FOR ALL THEY DO EVERY DAY IN HOLDING THE HANDS OF FAMILIES WHILE THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES OF THEIR LIVES.
THERE ARE MANY NIKKI FAMILIES, UM, REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.
SO JUST LIKE, UH, NIKKI APPEARANCE, UM, I STRUGGLED WITH ANXIETY AND PTSD AND THE OVERWHELMING EMOTIONS OF LEAVING THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT A BABY IN MY ARMS. WHAT I LEARNED WAS, WHILE WE HAVE THIS AMAZING MEDICAL CARE, THE FAMILIES ALSO NEED EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO HEAL AND TO THRIVE AND TO CARE FOR THEIR VERY MEDICALLY FRAGILE BABIES.
SO AGAIN, 15 YEARS AGO, I HAD A BIG IDEA AND A BUSINESS CARD, AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED,
SO NOW I'M JOINED BY ALL THESE INCREDIBLE, UM, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
UM, THEY ARE NICU PARENTS, AS WE SAID, WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH SPECIALIZED TRAINING TO PROVIDE PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT AT THE BEDSIDE.
SO TODAY IS MORE THAN JUST THE AWARENESS OF NICU, UH, SUPPORT.
IT IS REALLY A CELEBRATION OF OUR HOSPITALS, OF OUR MEDICAL STAFF, OF THE INCREDIBLE HANDHOLD TEAM AND THE BRAVE FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE EVERY DAY.
AND AS I PREPARE TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, I'M JUST DEEPLY MOVED THAT WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THIS AND HONOR THIS, UH, IMPACT THAT WE HAVE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW NATIONALLY.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION.
UM, TOGETHER WE CAN ENSURE THAT ALL NIKKI FAMILIES HAVE A HAND TO HOLD.
AND I JUST WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO'S COMING TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS FABRIC OF CARE, THIS NETWORK OF SUPPORT FOR BOTH OUR BABIES AND THE PARENTS WHO CARE FOR THEM IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
UM, I THINK WE'LL MOVE FORWARD FOR YEAH.