[00:00:03]
[Proclamation - Transgender Day of Remembrance - To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes]
MORNING EVERYONE.PROUD TO SERVE AS AUSTIN'S MAYOR PRO TEM, REPRESENTING DISTRICT TWO ON AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
I'M JOINED HERE TODAY WITH MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBERS, VELASQUEZ LANE, SIEGEL, AND CADRE.
AND TODAY WE WANNA WELCOME EVERYONE TO CITY HALL AND RECOGNITION OF TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.
WE HONOR THE LIVES WHO HAVE BEEN LOST IN RESPONSE TO TRANSPHOBIA AND HATE THAT HAS PLAGUED THE WORLD LOCALLY AND AFAR.
HERE IN AUSTIN, WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING A WELCOMING CITY, VALUING DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, AND ADVANCING EQUITY FOR ALL.
BECAUSE EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU LOVE OR HOW YOU IDENTIFY, EVERYONE DESERVES DIGNITY, RESPECT, AND FRANKLY, TO EXIST WITHOUT HATE OR THE FEAR OF HATE AND PERSECUTION.
IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY, I'M HONORED TO PRESENT A VERY SPECIAL PROCLAMATION TO TWO INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AND LEADERS ON AUSTIN'S L-G-B-T-Q, QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION, KC COIN, AND BRIDGET BANDIT.
WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY, I WILL NOW READ THE PROCLAMATION, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE HAS BEEN OBSERVED ANNUALLY SINCE ITS INCEPTION, AND ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 1999, TO MEMORIALIZE THOSE WHO HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF TRANSPHOBIA.
AND WHEREAS GLOBALLY MORE THAN 281, TRANSGENDER AND GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE WERE REPORTED MURDERED BETWEEN OCTOBER, 2024 AND SEPTEMBER, 2025, AND IN THE UNITED STATES AT LEAST 48, TRANSGENDER AND GENDER EXPANSIVE INDIVIDUALS WERE LOST IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE, INCLUDING 27 MURDERED AND 21 BY SUICIDE.
AND WHEREAS THIS VIOLENCE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS TRANSGENDER WOMEN OF COLOR, WHO NEARLY 80% OF KNOWN VICTIMS SINCE 2013, A SOBERING REMINDER THAT RACISM, MISOGYNY, AND TRANSPHOBIA INTERSECT TO INGEN TO ENDANGER THE LIVES OF SOME OF OUR MOST MARGINALIZED NEIGHBORS.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING EQUITY, INCLUSION, SAFETY, AND BELONGING FOR TRANSGENDER NON-BINARY AND GENDER EXPANSIVE RESIDENTS THROUGH INCLUSIVE POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND PARTNERSHIPS.
AND WHEREAS IN THIS CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE MARKED BY RISING ANTI-TRANS RHETORIC, HARMFUL LEGISLATION, AND PUBLIC HOSTILITY, IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO STAND VISIBLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY STRONG AND RESPECTING OUR CITY'S VALUES OF JUSTICE AND BELONGING, AND PROVIDE VISIBLE SUPPORT FOR A COMMUNITY THAT CONTINUES TO FACE DISPROPORTIONATE VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, AND ERASURE.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES MAYOR PRO TEM, ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER QUEZ LANE CADRE, AND SIEGEL, ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, KIRK WATSON, DUE, HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 AS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE ACCEPTING THIS PROCLAMATION.
HELLO, UH, I'M CASEY SHEPHERD COYNE, UH, I'M THE CHAIR OF THE L-G-B-T-Q QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I'M ALSO AN OUT TRANS NON-BINARY D**E.
I HAVE TOP SURGERY SCHEDULED TOMORROW MORNING.
UH, AND I CAN SAY PERSONALLY THAT GENDER AFFIRMING CARE IS LIFESAVING.
I WANNA START BY SHARING SOME SENTIMENTS FROM OUR TRANS COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP CHAIR BRIDGET BANDIT, WHO IS TOO SICK TO JOIN US TODAY.
A WORLD THAT IS SAFER FOR BLACK TRANS WOMEN IS A WORLD THAT IS SAFER FOR EVERYONE.
I HAVE TO EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR BLACK TRANS LIVES, ESPECIALLY BLACK TRANS WOMEN.
BRIDGET LOST A FRIEND WHO WAS A BLACK TRANS WOMAN WHO TAUGHT THEM SO MUCH.
HER STAGE NAME WAS AMERICA REVLON, THEIR BEAUTIFUL SISTER WHO THEY MISS EVERY DAY.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE FIGHT FOR A WORLD IN WHICH SHE WOULD'VE BEEN PROTECTED A BETTER WORLD FOR EVERYONE.
I'M SORRY YOU COULDN'T BE WITH US TODAY, BRIDGET.
WE'VE LOST TOO MANY OVER THE YEARS, AND SO MUCH OF OUR LOSS HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY FEAR AND HATE.
RIGHT NOW, MORE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE STRUGGLING THAN I HAVE REFERENCED FOR IN MY LIFETIME.
THE BACKSLIDE WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW, THE MISGUIDED SCAPEGOATING.
THE TARGETED ATTACKS ON THE TRANS COMMUNITY HAVE MEANT WE'VE SEEN MORE TRANS AND QUEER FAMILY MEMBERS STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND BE LOST TO SUICIDE.
AND IT'S MEANT MORE TRANSPHOBIC VIOLENCE HERE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
PERSONALLY, I'VE EXPERIENCED MORE HARASSMENT IN PUBLIC THAN ANY OTHER TIME IN MY ADULT LIFE IN THE LAST YEAR.
[00:05:01]
WE NEED ALLIES MORE THAN EVER.AND I'M NOT EXAGGERATING WHEN I SAY IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH.
SO I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MAYOR PRO TE FUENTES, THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE TODAY, HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER, SHAINA KHAKI FOR BEING STRONG ALLIES IN OUR TIME OF NEED.
BUT I'M ALSO HERE TO REMIND YOU THAT WHILE WE CAN HOPE FOR TOLERANCE AND LOVE, WE CAN FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHT TO EXIST FREE FROM VIOLENCE.
WHAT WE DESERVE IS CELEBRATION OUR MAGIC AS TRANS PEOPLE.
OUR DIFFERENCE, OUR ABILITY TO ENVISION A FUTURE THAT DOES NOT YET EXIST, DOESN'T HAVE PRECEDENT.
OUR ABILITY TO SEE AND CALL OUT WHERE SYSTEMS ARE BROKEN MAKES US DEEPLY THREATENING TO THOSE WHOSE BEST INTERESTS ARE IN THINGS, SAYING HOW THEY ARE.
WE'RE TRUTH TELLERS RIGHT NOW.
THE WORLD NEEDS US MORE THAN EVER.
WE ARE BETTER AT IMAGINING A DIFFERENT AND BETTER AND MORE JUST AND MORE JOYFUL FUTURE, NOT JUST FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BUT FOR EVERYONE.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN HONORING AND REMEMBERING THOSE WE HAVE LOST, WHILE ALSO TAKING PART IN ONE OF THE MOST REVERED TRADITIONS OF OUR QUEER AND TRANS ANCESTORS.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN CELEBRATING OUR JOY AND OUR MAGIC AS WE GRIEVE.
NOW WE'LL HAVE SHAINA KHAKI, WHO IS OUR CITY, BOSTON HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER.
MY NAME IS SHAINA KHAKI AND I SERVE AS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I ALSO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS EXECUTIVE SPONSOR FOR THE CITY FOR THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMISSION.
TODAY, WE HONOR OUR TRANSGENDER NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, AND LOVED ONES WHOSE LIVES WERE STOLEN BY PREJUDICE AND VIOLENCE, THEIR LOST DEMANDS THAT WE REMEMBER.
BUT REMEMBRANCE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH.
IT REQUIRES US TO CONFRONT THE CONDITIONS THAT MADE THEIR ABSENCE POSSIBLE AND TO COMMIT OURSELVES TO A FUTURE WHERE TRANS LIVES ARE PROTECTED, VALUED, AND NEVER TREATED AS EXPENDABLE.
WE GATHER AT A TIME WHERE THE WORLD FEELS TURBULENT, WHEN TRANS PEOPLE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY ARE FACING THE EROSION OF RIGHTS, RISING HOSTILITY, AND THE FEAR THAT NO ONE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO CARRY.
YET, EVEN IN THIS CLIMATE, THEY CONTINUE TO SHOW EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE AND RESILIENCE.
THEIR STRENGTH IS NOT LOST ON US WITHIN THE TRANS COMMUNITY ITSELF.
THERE ARE COUNTLESS EXPRESSIONS OF IDENTITY SHAPED BY RACE, GENDER EXPRESSION, ECONOMIC REALITIES, AND DEEPLY PERSONAL JOURNEYS THAT DIVERSITY IS NOT A BURDEN.
IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST SOURCES OF COLLECTIVE POWER THAT WE HOLD AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
IN THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION, OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS CLEAR TO MAKE DIGNITY, SAFETY, AND BELONGING.
NOT JUST IDEALS, BUT VERY LIVED REALITIES.
THIS WORK BELONGS TO ALL OF US LEADERS, ALLIES, NEIGHBORS, AND WE MUST SHOW UP EVERY DAY WITH COURAGE AND CONVICTION.
AND SO TO OUR TRANS COMMUNITY, WE SEE YOUR UNWAVERING STRENGTH AND WE PLEDGE TO CONTINUE TO STAND BY BY YOU NOT AS BYSTANDERS, BUT AS TRUE PARTNERS IN THIS WORK FOR JUSTICE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
WE'LL DO, UM, QUICK PHOTO WITH THE PROCLAMATION.
MAYBE ANOTHER OUT THERE, 'CAUSE I KNOW THERE'S SOME STRAGGLERS.
OKAY, ERIC, UM, DO YOU WANNA GET WE'LL GET
[00:11:56]
GOOD MORNING.[Proclamation – Figure it Out Agency Day – To be presented by Council Member José Velásquez]
IT IS A GREAT DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.I AM COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELAZQUEZ, PROUDLY REPRESENTING DISTRICT THREE.
AND I HAVE THE DISTINCT HONOR OF RECOGNIZING A, UH, AGENCY THAT FIGURES IT OUT.
THAT IS, THAT IS, UH, IS A PROUD STAPLE IN OUR, IN OUR CITY, AND THAT ALWAYS BRINGS A GOOD VIBE.
SO TODAY WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE HUSTLERS AND TALENTED INDIVIDUALS BEHIND FIGURE IT OUT AGENCY ONE OF AUSTIN'S EXPERIENTIAL AGENCIES THAT ARE REDEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO CREATE EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS THAT ARE UNIQUE, PERSONAL, AND OUT OF THE BOX.
THROUGH PURS PURPOSEFUL COLLABORATION, THEY TAKE BIG IDEAS AND BRING THEM TO LIFE.
FROM EVENT PRODUCTION AND PLANNING, TALENT, BOOKING, CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND MORE, THEY GOT YOU COVERED.
THEY ARE A PROUD LATINO OWNED AGENCY THAT WAS BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP, WHO BRING THEIR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES INTO THEIR WORK AND CARRY THE AUSTIN SOUL AND SPIRIT WE KNOW AND LOVE BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS FOUNDED IN 2021 BY EDWARD EDWARD CASTILLO, RICKY PADILLA, AND DANIEL JAIME JAUS, FIO AGENCY, LOVINGLY KNOWN AS FIGURE IT OUT, WAS CREATED BY THREE PROUD AUSTIN LOCALS WITH A SHARED BELIEF THAT AUSTIN'S CULTURE, MUSIC, AND CREATIVE COMMUNITY DESERVE TO BE CELEBRATED ON EVERY STAGE.
AND WHEREAS WHAT BEGAN AS A HOMEGROWN IDEA HAS GROWN INTO ONE OF TEXAS'S LEADING, CULT LEADING CULTURAL MARKETING AND EXPERIENTIAL AGENCIES ROOTED IN AUSTIN'S SPIRIT, WHILE EXPANDING ITS REACH TO SHOWCASE THE CITY'S CREATIVITY ACROSS LOCAL, NATIONAL AND GLOBAL PLATFORMS. AND WHEREAS BLESSED TO CALL AUSTIN HOME, THE FOUNDERS AND THEIR EXTENDED TEAM, INCLUDING ERIC BARON AND THE MANY TALENTED CREATIVES, PRODUCERS AND PARTNERS THEY HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH, CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT THE PEOPLE AND CULTURE THAT MAKE THIS CITY UNLIKE ANY OTHER.
AND WHEREAS THEIR MOTTO JUST FIGURE IT OUT, CAPTURES THE TRUE SPIRIT, RESILIENT, CREATIVE, AND COLLABORATIVE, UH, THEIR, THEIR, THEIR TRUE, THE TRUE AUSTIN SPIRIT, RESILIENT, CREATIVE, AND COLLABORATIVE.
AND WHEREAS THROUGH THEIR WORK, THE TEAM HAS REDEFINED WHAT IT MEANS TO BUILD WITH PURPOSE, PROVING THAT PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE CAN CREATE LASTING CULTURAL IMPACT.
NOW THEREFORE, I COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE DIOCESE DUE, HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 AS FIGURE IT OUT AGENCY DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
WE STARTED OUT IN A CLOSET ON THE EAST SIDE.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO GAVE US A CHANCE TO PORTRAY AND TELL THE STORIES OF THE CULTURE CORRECTLY.
WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO DO SO.
[00:15:01]
BRO.EVERY I WANNA STEP IN FRONT OF HERE.
WE CAN TAKE A, A QUICK PHOTO, THEN WE CAN TAKE ONE OUT.
OH, EVERYBODY CAN BE IN THE PHOTO.
EVERYBODY TAKE, TAKE THE, THE PAPER COUNT.
[00:20:38]
GOOD MORNING.[Proclamation – Open Door Preschool’s 50th Anniversary Day – To be presented by Council Member José “Chito” Vela]
I'M, UH, CHITO VELA, COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT FOUR, AND WE'RE HERE THIS MORNING TO HONOR A VERY SPECIAL ORGANIZATION, UH, OPEN DOOR PRESCHOOL.UH, TODAY WE CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF OPEN DOOR PRESCHOOLS, 50 YEARS OF SHAPING YOUNG LIVES, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, AND MODELING TRUE INCLUSION.
IN AUSTIN, WE KNOW HOW CRITICAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS.
90% OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS BEFORE IN KINDERGARTEN.
AND THE FUTURE BRAIN POWER OF AUSTIN IS BEING BUILT IN CLASSROOMS LIKE OPEN DOORS, UH, AND STABLE ACCESSIBLE CHILDCARE SUPPORTS NOT ONLY OUR FAMILIES, BUT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
WHEN FAMILIES HAVE DEPENDABLE EARLY EDUCATION, OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY BENEFITS.
OPENDOOR BEGAN IN 1975 WHEN NO SCHOOL IN AUSTIN WOULD ENROLL A CHILD WITH DOWN SIN WITH DOWN SYNDROME ALONGSIDE HIS SISTER.
INSTEAD OF ACCEPTING THAT A GROUP OF PARENTS IN EDUCATORS CREATED A SCHOOL WHERE ALL CHILDREN COULD LEARN TOGETHER, THAT COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION REMAINS AT THE HEART OF THEIR MISSION.
THEIR FOCUS ON EQUITY CONTINUES TODAY WITH 30% OF FAMILIES RECEIVING TUITION SUBSIDIES THAT MAKE HIGH QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION POSSIBLE.
THIS WORK HELPS REDUCE DISPARITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
FROM THE VERY START FOR DECADES, OPENDOOR HAS MET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, SERVING AS A GOLD STANDARD IN INCLUSIVE LEARNING AND A MODEL FOR POLICYMAKERS ACROSS TEXAS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OPENDOOR PRESCHOOLS ON 50 INCLUSIVE YEARS IN AUSTIN.
AND NOW IT'S MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A TIRELESS CHAMPION FOR AUSTIN'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
KATHY MCC COURSE HAS SERVED AS THE CHAIR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL, AND CONTINUES THAT LEADERSHIP AS A PRESIDENT OF THE OPEN DOOR PRESCHOOLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
UH, KATHY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND SAY A FEW WORDS? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER ON BEHALF OF OPEN DOOR PRESCHOOLS COMMUNITY, I'M HONORED TO JOIN YOU TODAY AS THE CITY OF AUSTIN PROCLAIMS OPEN DOOR PRESCHOOL DAY, NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO, AN AUSTIN FAMILY SEARCH FOR A PRESCHOOL THAT WOULD ACCEPT BOTH OF THEIR CHILDREN, ONE TYPICALLY DEVELOPING AND ONE WITH DOWN SYNDROME.
WHEN NO SCHOOL SAID YES, THEY BUILT ONE THEMSELVES.
AND FROM THAT SINGLE ACT OF LOVE AND INCLUSION, OPENDOOR PRESCHOOLS WAS BORN, AUSTIN'S FIRST INCLUSIVE PRESCHOOL.
SINCE THEN, WE'VE WELCOMED MORE THAN 4,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OFFERING A PLACE WHERE EVERY CHILD INCLUSIVE OF ALL ABILITIES, INCOMES, OR CIRCUMSTANCES BELONGS.
OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL TO PROVIDE INCLUSIVE, HIGH QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD.
AT OPENDOOR, INCLUSION ISN'T A PROGRAM, IT'S OUR PURPOSE.
WE BRING TOGETHER CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND THEY'RE TYPICALLY DEVELOPING PEERS TO LEARN AND GROW SIDE BY SIDE.
WE PRIORITIZE ENROLLMENT FOR LOW INCOME AND SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES, AND WE WRAP THAT CARE AND FAMILY SUPPORT, TUITION ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY FUNDS, COACHING, ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES THAT STRENGTHEN NOT JUST THE CHILD, BUT THE WHOLE FAMILY.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER? BECAUSE 90% OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN.
THE EARLIEST YEARS SHAMPOO CHILDREN BECOME BY SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND REDUCING STRESS, WE CREATE STABLE NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS THAT FUEL HEALTHY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.
WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN AUSTIN'S FIRST NATIONALLY ACCREDITED PRESCHOOL AND TO HAVE MAINTAINED THAT GOLD STANDARD FOR DECADES.
TODAY, OUR CLASSROOMS ARE INTENTIONALLY INCLUSIVE AND DELIBERATELY DIVERSE.
ABOUT 25% OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE LEARNING DIFFERENT DIFFERENCES, DISABILITIES OR HISTORY OF TRAUMA.
AND OUR DEMOGRAPHICS MIRROR THE CITY OF AUSTIN ITSELF.
THIS IS EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND ACTION.
NEARLY 30% OF OUR FAMILIES RECEIVE TUITION SUBSIDIES SO THEIR CHILDREN CAN ACCESS HIGH QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION THEY OTHERWISE COULDN'T AFFORD.
WE ARE RACING EDUCATIONAL DISPARITIES FROM THE GROUND UP.
THIS IS THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO.
WE OPEN DOORS TO LEARNING, TO BELONGING, AND TO A STRONGER, MORE INCLUSIVE AUSTIN.
[00:25:01]
ISN'T JUST ABOUT LEARNING, IT'S ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.WHEN FAMILIES HAVE DEPENDABLE HIGH QUALITY CARE, PARENTS CAN WORK, BUSINESSES THRIVE AND AUSTIN'S ECONOMY GROWS STRONGER TO OUR CITY LEADERS.
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE POWER OF INCLUSION AND FOR STANDING WITH US TODAY.
TOGETHER WE COULD ENSURE EVERY CHILD IN AUSTIN GROWS UP KNOWING THEIR COMMUNITY NOT ONLY MAKES ROOM FOR THEM, BUT CELEBRATES THEM.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I ALSO JUST WANNA, UH, RECOGNIZE, UH, CYNTHIA SMITH MCCOLLUM.
SHE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UH, OF OPENDOOR AND HAS BEEN FOR HOW MANY YEARS? SIX YEARS? YEAH, SIX YEARS.
UH, UH, IN ADDITION, SHE IS ALSO MY, UH, REPRESENTATIVE, UH, MY APPOINTEE TO THE, UH, EARLY, UH, CHILDHOOD COUNSEL, UH, AND, UH, AND A CONSTITUENT YES.
UH, AND A GREAT ALL AROUND PERSON.
AND I I WANT TO THANK, UH, YOU KNOW, KATHY, UH, CYNTHIA, AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT SO HARD FOR THE TRAVIS COUNTY CHILDCARE, TRE, WHICH IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND IT JUST WARMS MY HEART THAT THAT PATH AND THAT THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN, UH, RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, AND WERE WILLING TO, TO DIP INTO THEIR POCKETS, TO, TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE FOR, FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
I, IT, IT'S A, A REALLY A BEAUTIFUL GESTURE ON THE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WITH THAT, LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ THE, THE, THE PROCLAMATION.
I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND PUT ON MY GLASSES FOR THIS
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A STRONG, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY THAT VALUES AND SUPPORTS ITS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT INVESTING IN EARLY EDUCATION AND FAMILY WELLBEING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING A LIFELONG SUCCESS.
AND WHEREAS OPENDOOR PRESCHOOLS FOUNDED AS AUSTIN'S FIRST INCLUSIVE PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN 1975 HAS PROVIDED THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CHILDCARE TO AUSTIN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND HAS IN ITS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY, EXPANDED TO THREE SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO SERVE CHILDREN FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNABLE TO AFFORD, UH, ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION.
AND WHEREAS OPENDOOR PRESCHOOLS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST IN AUSTIN TO EARN ACCREDITATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, AND HAS MAINTAINED THEIR ACCREDITATION AT ALL ELIGIBLE CAMPUSES FOR DECADES, THEREBY MEETING THE GOLD STANDARD FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICE IN EARLY EDUCATION.
AND WHEREAS OPENDOOR PROVIDES ONSITE FAMILY CARES STAFF AND PARTNERS WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES HAVE THE SUPPORT NEEDED, WHETHER IT BE FOOD, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, THERAPY, REFERRALS, OR PARENT ADVOCACY SERVICES TO ENSURE THE BEST START FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN COMMENDS THE DEDICATION OF THE TEACHERS, LEADERS, AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK AT THE THREE OPEN DOOR PRESCHOOLS IN PURSUIT OF EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND WHO NURTURE AND INSPIRE YOUNG CHILDREN OF DIVERSE ABILITIES, CIRCUMSTANCES, AND BACKGROUNDS IN A CHILD-LED PLAY-BASED ENVIRONMENT EACH DAY, THEREBY STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE AND PURSUING A WORLD WHERE EVERY FAMILY BELONGS TO AN INCLUSIVE, PLAYFUL VILLAGE THAT HELPS ALL CHILDREN THRIVE.
COUNCIL MEMBER CHIEF VELA ON BEHALF ON BEHALF OF MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 AS OPEN DOOR PRESCHOOLS DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR, UH, EVERYTHING YOU DO AND, UH, THANK YOU TO THE, THE, THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN FOR, FOR, UH, SUPPORTING OPEN DOOR AND SUPPORTING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
AND SHALL WE TAKE A PHOTO? SURE.
WE NEED TO STAND IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM.
DO WE WANNA GET THAT, THAT, THAT OTHER ONE TOO, THAT GET THIS IN THE SHOT? OH, THERE YOU GO.
OUR 15, YES, THIS IS THE ACTUAL 50TH ONE.
YEAH, WE CAN KINDA, MAYBE, MAYBE HOLD THAT ON THE SIDE AND WE CAN KIND OF PERFECT THAT KIND OF, SORT OF WORK.
YOU TELL US HOW IT LOOKS ON THE, ON THE PHOTO, LIKE KINDA LIKE THIS.
[00:32:08]
UH, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.[Proclamation – Imam Islam Mossaad Day – To be presented by Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri]
UH, MY NAME IS COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ZOE.KARI, I'M JOINED HERE TODAY BY COUNCIL MEMBER MIKE SIEGEL AND COUNCILMAN VELA, UM, AS WELL AS FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, UH, OF SHAKY MA ISLAM MOSSAD.
UM, I'M, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A SOMBER DAY.
IT'S A, IT'S A SOMBER REMINDER OF, OF LOSING, UH, OF, OF SHEIKH ISLAM, UH, AND IN HIS LIFE THAT, THAT WAS LOST.
UM, I'M, I'M GONNA KEEP MY COMMENTS REALLY SHORT.
I, I VERY MUCH WANT TO GIVE SPACE, UH, TO HIS, TO HIS BROTHER, AND TO HIS FRIEND, UH, AND THEN READ THE PROCLAMATION.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I MOVED TO AUSTIN IN 2009, UH, AS A, AS, AS A VERY YOUNG STUDENT AT UT, UM, MADE, MADE IT THROUGH MY, MY TIME AT UT.
AND I, I MET SHEIKH ISLAM DURING THAT TIME.
UH, KEPT IN TOUCH, UH, UP UNTIL A FEW YEARS BACK.
AND HE WAS SOMEONE WHO WAS ALWAYS VERY KIND AND EMPATHETIC, UH, AS A STUDENT, AS A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL, UH, AS SOMEONE WHO AT ONE POINT WAS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT TO GET MARRIED.
UM, AND, YOU KNOW, I LOST MY FATHER WHILE I WAS AT UT AND HE WAS SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE TO BOTH CONSOLE AND TO, YOU KNOW, HELP THROUGH THAT MOURNING.
UM, AND HE'S VERY MUCH, UH, MISSED IN THIS COMMUNITY.
UH, HE WAS, HE WAS JUST A PRESENT FIGURE THAT I DON'T THINK AUSTIN, UH, CAN EVER, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T REPLICATE HIM.
SO, UM, I I'M GONNA, I'M GONNA PASS IT TO AZI, WHO WE'LL START WITH ISLAM AHMED.
UH, WE'LL PASS IT TO, UH, SHEIK ISLAM'S BROTHER EMMA, UH, WHO'S HERE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
TODAY IS MOAD DE IS MOAD WAS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES.
HE GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING.
HE WAS A LIFELONG LONGHORN FOOTBALL FAN.
HE WORKED IN VARIOUS ENGINEERING JOBS.
AFTER GRADUATING, HOWEVER, HE FELT SOMETHING WAS MISSING, HE EXPLORED A NEW CALLING OF BEING AN A MAM, WHICH IS A RELIGIOUS LEADER AND TEACHER.
HE WAS INVOLVED IN MANY INTERFAITH ACTIVITIES AND TRIED TO FOSTER A SENSE OF UNITY AMONG THE DIFFERENT FAITHS.
HE ENJOYED TALK, TEACHING AND TALKING TO EVERYBODY, WHETHER THEY WERE RICH, POOR, HOMELESS, UH, EVERYBODY.
HE WAS SELFLESS AND GAVE EVERYTHING TO THE COMMUNITY.
HE RECEIVED VARIOUS CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FROM THE GOVERNOR OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND VARIOUS COMMUNITIES HE SERVED.
HE WAS LOVED BY HIS FAMILY AND BY MANY ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.
OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE ATTENDED HIS FUNERAL.
A WELL WAS DONATED IN AN IMPOVERISHED AREA OF THE WORLD IN MY BROTHER'S NAME.
AFTER HIS DEATH CONDOLENCES CAME POURING THROUGH FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.
PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FACE THAT HE WORKED WITH ALSO OFFERED THEIR CONDOLENCES AND REMEMBRANCES.
EVERYONE SUFFERED A GREAT LOSS.
MY BROTHER WAS KILLED ON JULY 27TH, 2025.
MANY DO NOT KNOW THE TRUE TRUTH
[00:35:01]
OF WHAT REALLY HAPPENED.IT WAS PORTRAYED AS A PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT.
HOWEVER, THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.
THE FOLLOWING I'M ABOUT TO RELAY IS BASED ON POLICE INFORMATION AND THE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS.
THERE WAS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY INVOLVED ON THE PART OF THE THREE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE ARRESTED.
THE ADULTS HAD STOLEN SOMETHING FROM THE MINOR AND FLED IN THE VEHICLE.
THE MINOR PURSUED THEM IN HIS VEHICLE.
THE MINOR THEN INTENTIONALLY AND ILLEGALLY RAM THE ADULT'S CAR MULTIPLE TIMES CAUSED INTO THE ADULT'S VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND SLAM INTO MY BROTHER WHO WAS WALKING ON THE GRASS PATH ALONG LAMAR, MY BROTHER, WAS A COUPLE FEET FROM THE TWO VEHICLES AFTER BEING HIT.
HE, IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY ABOUT AN HOUR FOR A POLICE EMS FIRE TO REALIZE THE PEDESTRIAN WAS HIT AND ATTEMPT TO RENDER AID.
THE THREE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE ARRESTED HAVE NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
IN FACT, THEY WERE GRANTED BAIL IN A MATTER OF DAYS AFTER MY BROTHER'S DEATH.
THE ADULT MALE HAS THREE PRIOR FELONY CONVICTIONS.
WHY WAS HE OUT ON THE STREETS AND NOT SENTENCED TO A MINIMUM OF 25 YEARS? UNDER THE THREE STRIKES RULE? AS OF TODAY, THE ADULT MALE IS ONLY CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR.
THE FEMALE WAS CHARGED WITH FOUR FELONY DRUG CHARGES.
TWO OF HER CHARGES WERE DISMISSED, AND THE OTHER TWO WERE LISTED AS DA.
WERE REJECTION, NO CHARGES FILED.
HOW DOES FOUR FELONY DRUG CHARGES JUST GO AWAY? THE FEMALE GOT AWAY SCOT FREE.
I'M STILL WAITING TO SEE HOW THE ADULT MALE AND THE MINOR'S CASE WILL PROCEED.
WILL THEY GET A SLAP ON THE, ON THE WRIST WATERED DOWN CHARGES OR PROBATION? I AND OUR COMMUNITY ARE STILL WAITING FOR, JUST FOR MY BROTHER.
MY BROTHER WAS A BIG PROPONENT FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
ON THIS DAY OF RECOGNITION FOR ISLAM, ASSAD, WE NEED TO ASSURE ALL THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN AND TEXAS THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS A SAFE PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY, AND THAT CRIMINALS WILL BE PROSECUTED AND NOT ALLOW TO WALK FREE OR GET A MERE SLAP ON THE WRIST.
UM, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR GATHERING HERE TODAY TO HONOR A SOUL WHOSE PRESENCE AMONG US WAS A GIFT.
I WANNA SPEAK TODAY, NOT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS ADMIRED HIM FROM AFAR, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO KNEW HIM PERSONALLY, A FELLOW STUDENT WITH HIM AT UT WHEN WE WENT TO COLLEGE TOGETHER.
EVEN BACK THEN, YOU COULD FEEL SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT HIM.
HE CARED A STILLNESS, A SINCERITY, AND A PRESENCE THAT MADE YOU FEEL GROUNDED JUST BY BEING NEAR HIM.
HE WAS ONE OF THOSE RARE PEOPLE THAT WHEN YOU SAT NEXT TO HIM, YOU FELT CLOSER TO GOD.
NOT BECAUSE HE PREACHED AT YOU, BUT BECAUSE HE LIVED HIS FAITH SO GENTLY, SO COMPLETELY.
UH, THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD SALAH ALALA SAID, A PERSON IS UPON THE RELIGION OF THEIR CLOSE COMPANION.
SO LET ONE OF YOU LOOK AT WHOM HE BEFRIENDS.
WHEN I THINK OF THAT, I THINK OF ISLAM.
HIS COMPANIONSHIP PULLED YOU TOWARD GOODNESS, NATURALLY, EFFORTLESSLY JUST BY HOW HE CARRIED HIMSELF.
YOU LEFT A CONVERSATION WITH HIM BETTER THAN YOU ENTERED IT.
HE WAS ARTICULATE IN A WAY THAT JUST DIDN'T, DIDN'T JUST COMMUNICATE.
HE WANTS TO DESCRIBE MY RECITATION AS SOMEONE THAT HAS FLOURISHES.
NEVER USED SUCH A VERY ARTICULATE, DESCRIPTIVE WORD.
UH, THAT WAS HIS GIFT, SEEING BEAUTY IN OTHERS AND CAPTURING IT, NAMING IT, AFFIRMING IT.
HE HAD THE INSIDE OF A SCHOLAR AND THE HEART OF A BROTHER, AND THE WAY HE CONNECTED WITH THE YOUTH.
THAT'S OFTEN THE HARDEST GROUP TO REACH WHEN IT COMES TO FAITH.
WHEN HE SPOKE, THEY WANTED TO, MAYBE IT WAS HIS GENTLENESS, MAYBE IT WAS HIS PATIENCE, OR MAYBE IT WAS HIS ABILITY TO SEE PEOPLE NOT FOR THEIR FAULTS, BUT FOR THEIR POTENTIAL.
HE ALWAYS ASSUMED THE BEST, ALWAYS LOOKED FOR THE GOOD.
EVEN WHEN HE WAS GOING THROUGH PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES, AND THERE WERE SEASONS OF STRUGGLE.
HE WOULD FIND, STILL FIND WAYS TO HELP OTHERS.
JUST BEFORE HIS PASSING, HE WAS TELLING ME HE WAS WORKING ON A PROGRAM TO HELP UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH WITH COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
AND THE, AND THAT GROUP WAS SORT OF IGNORED AND DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT WAS A SLAM, QUIETLY LIFTING OTHERS.
EVEN WHEN HE NEEDED LIFTING HIMSELF, HIS DEATH WAS SUDDEN PAINFUL, INCOMPREHENSIBLE.
BUT HIS LIFE, HIS LIFE WAS INTENTIONAL, ROOTED IN SERVICE AND OVERFLOWING WITH LIGHT.
AND THAT LIGHT HASN'T LEFT US.
IT LIVES ON IN HIS STUDENTS, HIS FRIENDS, HIS FAMILY, AND IN THE CITY HE LOVED.
ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THOSE WHO WERE TOUCHED BY SHEIK ISLAM, I SAY THANK YOU TO THIS COUNCIL AND TO THIS COMMUNITY FOR RECOGNIZING A MAN WHOSE LEGACY IS ETERNAL.
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UH, AND NOW I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION.UM, AND IF EITHER SHEIK ISLAM'S, UH, BROTHER OR FIVE, WE ALL WANT TO HOLD IT.
UM, B IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN MOURNS A PROFOUND LOSS OF IMAM ISLAM, MASSAAD, A LIFELONG AUSTINITE, A BELOVED MOM, A TEACHER, A GUIDING LIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITY WHOSE LIFE WAS TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT ON JULY 27TH, 2025.
AND WHEREAS IMAM ISLAM MASSAAD WAS HIS SON OF AUSTIN, HAVING ATTENDED AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL AND EARNED HIS DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, WHERE HIS EARLY LOVE FOR LEARNING AND SERVICE TOOK ROOT.
AND WHEREAS HE SERVED AS AN IMAM TEACHER AND MENTOR FOR OVER TWO DECADES ACROSS THE SOUTH, INCLUDING AT N-A-M-C-C IN AUSTIN, THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF LITTLE ROCK, THE COLLEGE STATION, ISLAMIC COMMUNITY, RENAISSANCE ACADEMY, AND AUSTIN PEACE ACADEMY SHAPING GENERATIONS, GUIDING HEARTS AND WISDOM GENTLENESS, AND A COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND MERCY.
AND WHEREAS HIS RADIANT SMILE, QUIET, HUMILITY, AND HEARTFELT SINCERITY MADE HIM A SOURCE OF PEACE AND INSPIRATION TO ALL WHO KNEW HIM, OFFERING COUNSEL COMFORT AND CLARITY IN TIMES OF NEED, AND STANDING ALWAYS WITH THE VULNERABLE AND THE VOICELESS.
AND WHEREAS WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE LIGHT HE BROUGHT INTO OUR CITY, THE BRIDGES HE BUILT, AND THE SOULS HE LIFTED PRAYING THAT HIS MEMORY BE A BLESSING, AND THAT HIS LEGACY CONTINUES TO GUIDE US TOWARD A MORE COMPASSIONATE, FAITHFUL, AND UNIFIED AUSTIN.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER ZORIE, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER MIKE SIEGEL, AND COUNCIL MEMBER VELA AND KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND THE REST OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 AS IMAM ISLAM ADE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
DO WE WANT TO DO A PICTURE UP FRONT? SURE.
[Distinguished Service Award – Luz Luzono – To be presented by Council Member José “Chito” Vela]
I AM COUNCIL MEMBER ATO VELA, PROUDLY REPRESENTING DISTRICT FOUR HERE TO HONOR LUIS LOSANO ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN MUNICIPAL COURT.UH, IT'S BEEN 24 YEARS WITH THE, WITH THE CITY.
AND NOT ONLY ARE WE BIDDING HIM FAREWELL, BUT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE HIM A DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD, UH, FOR HIS WORK, UH, ON BEHALF OF, OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN.
UM, WE, TODAY WE RECOGNIZE SOMEONE WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAVE BEEN TRULY EXCEPTIONAL.
LU ANO HAS SERVED FOR 24 YEARS AS A DEDICATED EMPLOYEE OF THE AUSTIN MUNICIPAL COURT.
AND HIS IMPACT OVER THAT TIME HAS BEEN IMMEASURABLE.
LU IS AN EXTRAORDINARY TALENT WITH A RARE BLEND OF DEEP TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, OPERATIONAL EXPERTISE, AND A STRONG COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
HE IS KNOWN FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS THAT MANY CONSIDER UNSOLVABLE.
HIS UNDERSTANDING OF BOTH TECHNOLOGY
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AND OPERATIONS ALLOWS HIM TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS ACROSS MULTIPLE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING SOFTWARE HE DID NOT BUILD.HE HAS EVEN HELPED VENDORS RESOLVE ISSUES IN THEIR OWN PRODUCTS.
HE MAKES SYSTEMS THAT WERE NEVER DESIGNED TO WORK TOGETHER FUNCTION SMOOTHLY FOR THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.
HIS INTELLIGENCE IS MATCHED BY HIS ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE CLEARLY.
LU CAN TAKE HIGHLY TECHNICAL CONCEPTS AND EXPLAIN THEM IN SIMPLE ACCESSIBLE TERMS SO THAT STAFF LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ALL UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AND THE PATH FORWARD.
HIS EXPERT SUPPORT HAS BEEN ESSENTIAL TO BOTH THE AUSTIN MUNICIPAL COURT AND THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT.
HIS WORK HAS IMPROVED SERVICES, STRENGTHENED SYSTEMS, AND ENSURED THAT OUR COURTS CAN SERVE THE PUBLIC EFFECTIVELY AND RELIABLY FOR HIS 24 YEARS OF SERVICE, HIS EXPERTISE, HIS PROBLEM SOLVING, AND HIS DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO LU ANO.
AND, AND JUST TO ADD, I'M A, A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY.
I'VE PRACTICED IN THE COURTS IN, IN AUSTIN AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES, REALLY ALL OVER THE STATE.
UH, AND I WOULD JOKE ALL THE TIME THAT THE AUSTIN MUNICIPAL COURT WAS MY FAVORITE COURT TO PRACTICE IN BECAUSE THEIR SOFTWARE WAS SO GOOD.
THE INFORMATION THAT THEY PROVIDED THE ATTORNEYS WAS SO CLEAR.
IT, IT, IT WAS ALWAYS JUST ONE OF THE, THEY HAD THE WALK-IN DOCKET TO THERE MANY, MANY REASONS THAT THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT REALLY LENDS ITSELF TO BOTH ATTORNEYS WHO PRACTICE IN THE COURT AND TO JUST CITIZENS WHO NEED TO TALK TO A JUDGE, WHO JUST NEED TO GO IN AND TALK TO THE DUTY JUDGE AND, AND RESOLVE AN ISSUE.
THOSE SYSTEMS ARE GREAT, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THE BACKEND FOLKS THAT MAKE ALL OF THAT WORK.
UH, AND AGAIN, UH, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.
AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
UM, JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR ALL THE GREAT YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT THAT I HAD HERE.
AND I REALLY ENJOYED WORKING FOR THE CITY AND ESPECIALLY THE COURT AND ESPECIALLY ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WORKED WITH ME.
I WAS, UH, VERY, UM, I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WORD TO SAY, BUT VERY HAPPY TO HAVE WORKED HERE FOR ALL THESE YEARS.
AND I LEARNED A LOT AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR, FOR YOUR SERVICE.
AND LET ME JUST GO AHEAD AND, AND READ THE, THE AWARD, UH, ITSELF.
IT'S A, THE TYPE OF LITTLE SMALL, THE, UH, CITY OF AUSTIN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR HIS UNTIRING SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO OUR RESIDENTS.
DURING HIS ALMOST 24 YEAR TENURE, AS A DEDICATED EMPLOYEE OF AUSTIN MUNICIPAL COURT, LU LOSANO IS DESERVING OF PUBLIC ACCLAIM AND RECOGNITION.
AS THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES MANAGER LU SUCCESSFULLY LED MULTIPLE SOFTWARE CONVERSIONS, COORDINATING CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS AND VENDOR PARTNERS TO ENSURE SEAMLESS TRANSITIONS.
HE CONSISTENTLY RESOLVED COMPLEX TECHNICAL ISSUES FOR BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS.
BY LEVERAGING DEEP OPERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE, THIS INTERNAL EXPERTISE ENABLED HIM TO DELIVER RELIABLE SOLUTIONS AND STRENGTHEN ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE.
HIS DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND POSITIVITY ARE AWESOME EXAMPLES FOR OTHERS, AND HE WILL BE INCREDIBLY MISSED.
THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION THEREOF.
THE 20TH DAY OF NOVEMBER IN THE YEAR 2025, UH, BY MYSELF, COUNCIL MEMBER, CHIEF VELA, UH, MAYOR OF AUSTIN, KIRK WATSON, AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL.
WE PRESENT THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO LU SANO.
WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND, UH, ENJOY YOUR, UH, RETIREMENT AND, UH, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE, THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
LET'S GET, GET A PHOTO, UH, IN FRONT OF THE, THE PODIUM HERE.
Y'ALL S SCOOCH AND DICK A LITTLE BIT.
SCOOCH IT SO WE CAN GET EVERYBODY IN THE PHOTO.