[00:00:03]
[Proclamation – Buddha's Light International Day – To be presented by Council Member Krista Laine]
EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS MORNING TO RECOGNIZE THE FOLK TEMPLE AND THEIR IMPORTANT WORK IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.I WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS COME TOGETHER TODAY, UM, SO THAT WE CAN THANK AND RECOGNIZE VENERABLE GCI, DIRECTOR OF FOLK TEMPLE.
AND I SAW FIRSTHAND HOW WELCOMING THEY ARE TO ALL AUSTINITES REGARDLESS OF RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.
I ALSO VERY MUCH APPRECIATED LEARNING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT THEY HOST THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND I AM EVEN MORE GRATEFUL FOR THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF BUDDHA'S LIGHT INTERNATIONAL IS TO BENEFIT SOCIETY THROUGH CHARITABLE PROGRAMS, AND THEY LIVE THIS BY PROVIDING MEALS TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY DURING EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, PROVIDING MEALS AND TREATS TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, GUIDING VETERANS THROUGH MEDITATION PRACTICE, AND PROVIDING A FREE HEALTH CLINIC FOR THEIR MEMBERS.
MEMBERS OF J TEMPLE DO NOT CLOSE THEIR BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS, NOR THEIR PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
INSTEAD, THEY REGULARLY INVITE AND WELCOME GROUPS FROM MANY CHURCHES, HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND SCHOOLS TO TAKE A TOUR AND LEARN ABOUT HUMAN HUMANIST.
BUDDHISM RECEIVING MUCH PRAISE AND RECOGNITION FROM THE INTERFAITH ACTION OF CENTRAL TEXAS I ACT.
AND I BELIEVE THAT WITH THAT, YES, I WILL.
UM, DO YOU WANNA GIVE A FEW WORDS? DOES ANYONE WANNA GIVE A FEW WORDS AND THEN AT THE END I'LL PRESENT THE OFFICIAL PROPOSITION.
I'M LILY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOIA AUSTIN THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER, CRYSTAL LANE AND MAYOR AND ALL THE STAFF MEMBERS HERE WITH US TODAY.
AND WE'RE HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS, UH, RECOGNITION AS BOIA DAY, ESPECIALLY, UH, IN THE MONTH OF THE, UH, A API HERITAGE MONTH.
AND WE'RE, WE ALSO, WE'RE COMMITTED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE COMPASSION AND KINDNESS.
AND HERE I'M GOES TO OUR VENABLE JT, WHO IS OUR RELIGIOUS LEADER AND ALSO OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS.
UH, I'M JG DIRECTOR OF ANG TEMPLE.
WE ARE VERY HONORED TO RELEASE THIS AWARD AND, UM, AS MY MASTER VARIABLE, MASTER SINGING SAID THAT, THAT IN, UH, IN THE LOCAL TEMPLE THAT, UH, WE WANT TO INTRODUCE THE, UH, BUDDHISM THROUGH CULTURE.
AND I THINK, UH, THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, UH, PROVIDE A GOOD PLATFORM FOR US TO CONNECT WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, WHICH IS, UH, ALSO THE CELEBRATION IS, UH, CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL.
AND WE WILL, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROCEED THAT TO HAVE THE, UH, CULTURAL EVENT IN NEAR FUTURE.
AND SO NOW I WILL PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION, AND IF YOU WANT TO ST I DON'T KNOW WHO WANTS TO HOLD IT.
GIVE ME SO MANY COPIES OF THINGS.
AND I NEED MY GLASSES BECAUSE I'M OLDER THAN I'M
SO, WHEREAS JI TEMPLE TEMPLE TOGETHER WITH THE BUDDHIST LIGHT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION, BLIA OF AUSTIN HAS SERVED THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES SINCE ITS OPENING IN JANUARY, 2000 AS A CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE, CULTURAL EDUCATION, COMPASSION, VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION.
AND WHEREAS MAY IS ASIAN AMERICAN NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH, A TIME FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO CELEBRATE THE IMMEASURABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE AA AND HPI COMMUNITIES TO OUR CITY'S CULTURAL, CIVIC, AND ECONOMIC LIFE.
AND FAUX TEMPLE TEMPLE SERVES AS AN IMPORTANT EXAMPLE OF THAT HERITAGE FOSTERING CULTURAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, AND ENRICHING AUSTIN'S IDENTITY AS A DIVERSE, WELCOMING, AND GLOBALLY CONNECTED CITY.
AND WHEREAS THE TEMPLE HAS WELCOMED AUSTIN KNIGHTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, REGARDLESS OF FAITH, ETHNICITY, OR WALK OF LIFE, TO EXPLORE MEDITATION, MINDFULNESS PRACTICES, PRAYER SERVICES, DHARMA STUDY, TAI CHI, CHINESE
[00:05:01]
TEA CEREMONIES, ARTS AND CRAFTS CLASSES, AND FREE GUIDED TOURS, HELPING TO FOSTER CROSS-CULTURAL AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING WELLNESS AND INCLUSION THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.AND WHEREAS THE TEMPLE HAS SUPPORTED COMMUNITY WELLNESS EFFORTS, INCLUDING FREE HEALTH SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED, OFFERED COMPLIMENTARY VEGETARIAN MEALS SUSTAINED BY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS, PROVIDED YOUTH VOLUNTEER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, PROMOTED COMPASSION AND MINDFUL LIVING, AND CULTIVATED EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, VETERANS GROUPS, AND INTERFAITH ORGANIZATIONS.
AND WHEREAS THE TEMPLE HAS SERVED AS A PEACEFUL SANCTUARY DURING TIMES OF PERSONAL DIFFICULTY, A GATHERING PLACE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LUNAR NEW YEAR, BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY, AND OTHER CULTURAL FESTIVALS THAT HAVE BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF AUSTINITE TOGETHER IN JOYFUL COMMUNITY.
AND A SITE OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE THAT HAS STRENGTHENED MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING ACROSS AUSTIN'S DIVERSE SPIRITUAL LANDSCAPE.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT FAITH COMMUNITIES AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS PLAY IN BUILDING A MORE CONNECTED, INCLUSIVE, COMPASSIONATE AND RESILIENT CITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CRYSTAL LANE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR AUSTIN'S DISTRICT SIX, TOGETHER WITH MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL OF AUSTIN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 28TH, 2026 TO BE BUDDHA'S LIGHT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND I, I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING MUCH MORE OFTEN NOW THAT WE'RE CONNECTED.
I GET YOU ALL FROM ME IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM SO I CAN TAKE A PICTURE.
[Proclamation – Austin African American Book Festival Day – To be presented by Council Member Krista Laine]
MORNING.I'M COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL LANE, AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF REPRESENTING DISTRICT SIX ON AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
I'M SO PLEASED TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY, UM, SO THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE A REMARKABLE MILESTONE.
THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL.
ROSALYN ENT JONES, A RE A RESPECTED EDUCATOR AND LONGTIME BOOKSELLER.
THE FESTIVAL WAS CREATED WITH A CLEAR VISION TO ESTABLISH A DEDICATED SPACE WHERE BLACK LITERATURE COULD BE CELEBRATED, SHARED, AND SUSTAINED IN AUSTIN AND ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS.
INSPIRED BY THE HARLEM BOOK FAIR AND BROUGHT TO LIFE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WRITER EVELYN MARTIN ANDERSON.
THE FESTIVAL HAS GROWN INTO A CHERISHED ANNUAL TRADITION HELD EACH JUNE FOLLOWING JUNETEENTH THAT REFLECTS THE ENDURING CONNECTION BETWEEN LITERATURE, CULTURE, AND FREEDOM.
FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, THE FESTIVAL HAS WELCOMED READERS, WRITERS, AND FAMILIES FOR DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING THAT SPANS GENERATIONS FROM ENGAGING PANEL DISCUSSIONS TO THE BELOVED KIDS ZONE AND THE INDIE AUTHOR SHOWCASE, WHICH CONTINUES TO UPLIFT AMER EMERGING VOICES.
IT HAS ALSO HOSTED SOME OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL LITERARY FIGURES OF OUR TIME, INCLUDING ANNETTE GORDON REED, WALTER MOSLEY, TERRY MCMILLAN, SISTER SOULJA, SAM GREENLEY, AND LEONARD PRITZ JR.
THIS LEGACY IS ROOTED IN A BROADER COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY.
ELEPHANT JONES FOUNDED FOLK TALES BOOKSTORE, A CULTURAL HUB THAT CONNECTED AUSTIN TO A RICH TRADITION OF BLACK LITERARY EXCELLENCE AND HELPED LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR WHAT WE CELEBRATE TODAY.
AND THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, THE FESTIVAL HAS PROUDLY HOSTED, HAS BEEN PROUDLY HOSTED AT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER, A TREASURED SPACE WHERE HISTORY, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO COME TOGETHER RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE DISTRICT.
AS WE MARK THIS 20 YEAR MILESTONE, WE CELEBRATE NOT ONLY THE FESTIVAL ITSELF, BUT THE COMMUNITY.
IT HAS BUILT THE VOICES, IT HAS ELEVATED, AND THE LEGACY IT CONTINUES TO SHAPE.
AND NOW I WILL PASS THE MIC TO KIARA BEFORE I READ THE PROCLAMATION ALOUD.
WELL, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, UM, AND JUST HONOR DR.
I MET HER IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WAS A PART OF HER, UH, BOOK CLUB.
AND IT IS JUST BEEN AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH HER AND SEE, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED.
SO I JUST WANNA SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR PROCLAMATION.
[00:10:01]
WOULD, THANK YOU MM-HMMTO THE MAYOR AND TO COUNCIL MEMBER LANE AND COUNCIL MEMBER NA, TASHA HARPER MADISON, DISTRICT ONE, AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION OF THE AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL AND OUR 20TH YEAR CELEBRATION OF BLACK AUTHORS, BOOKS, LITERARY CULTURE, AND THE COMMUNITY.
FOR TWO DECADES, THE AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER READERS, WRITERS, EDUCATORS, ARTISTS AND FAMILIES IN CELEBRATION OF THE RICHNESS, RESILIENCE, AND ENDURING POWER OF BLACK LITERATURE AND STORYTELLING.
WHAT BEGAN AS A VISION TO CREATE SPACE FOR BLACK VOICES HAS GROWN INTO A CHERISHED TRADITION HERE IN AUSTIN AND BEYOND.
AS A RETIRED AUSTIN ISD EDUCATOR AND A BOOKSELLER SERVING THIS COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, THIS SUPPORT MEANS A LOT TO US.
WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE HONOR AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY, LITERACY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY, AND FOR CELEBRATING THIS MILESTONE.
AND WE WANNA WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE 20TH AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH AT THE CARVER LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.
SO WITH THAT, I WILL PRESENT THE OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION.
YEAH, BUT I GOTTA GET SETTLED.
THEY AREN'T NUMBERED, SO LET'S SEE.
WHEREAS THE AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL FESTIVAL FOUNDED IN 2006 BY DR.
ROSALIND ELEPHANT JONES WAS ESTABLISHED TO CREATE A DEDICATED SPACE TO CELEBRATE, SUSTAIN, AND ELEVATE BLACK LITERATURE IN AUSTIN AND CENTRAL TEXAS.
AND WHEREAS INSPIRED BY A VISION TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF BLACK STORYTELLING AND ITS CONNECTION TO FREEDOM AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION, THE FESTIVAL HAS GROWN INTO A CHERISH ANNUAL TRADITION, HOW THE EACH JUNE FOLLOWING JUNETEENTH.
AND WHEREAS FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, THE FESTIVAL HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER READERS, WRITERS, AND FAMILIES THROUGH DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, AND THE INDIE AUTHOR SHOWCASE FOSTERING A DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE AND ITS IMPACT ACROSS GENERATIONS.
AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN AFRICAN-AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL HAS WELCOMED, DISTINGUISHED LITERARY VOICES, INCLUDING ANNETTE GORDON REED, WALTER MOSLEY, TERRY MCMILLAN, SISTER SOULJA, SAM GREENLEY, LEONARD PITTS JR.
AND MANY OTHERS, WHILE CONTINUING TO UPLIFT EMERGING AUTHORS AND LOCAL TALENT.
AND WHEREAS THE FESTIVALS ENDURING PRESENCE AT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER REFLECTS ITS DEEP CONNECTION TO AUSTIN'S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ITS ROLE AS A GATHERING PLACE WHERE HISTORY, COMMUNITY, AND CREATIVITY CONTINUE TO THRIVE.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THAT, THAT THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND CELEBRATES THE AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN APPRECIATION OF ITS LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO LITERATURE, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND I, COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL LANE ON BEHALF OF MAYOR KIRK WATSON, COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA HARPER MADISON, AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 27TH, 2026 AS AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL DAY.
AND THIS YEAR I'LL OH, Y'ALL INVITE ME AND I'LL BE YES, YES, YES.
LET'S STEP FORWARD FOR A PICTURE.
[Proclamation – BASTA Austin's 10 Year Anniversary – To be presented by Council Member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri]
[00:15:02]
GOOD MORNING.UM, I'M COUNCILMAN RIZZO CERY.
I PROUDLY REPRESENT DISTRICT NINE ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, AND I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY AS WE HONOR BASTA.
UH, I WAS, I WAS TOLD TO SUB IN TODAY FOR COUNCILOR HARPER MADISON, WHO'S UNFORTUNATELY OUT, UH, AFTER SURGERY AND I WAS LIKE, THIS IS THE BEST THING I COULD SUB IN FOR LIKE, PERIOD.
UM, SO TODAY WE RECOGNIZE AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SPENT THE LAST DECADE WORKING ALONG ALONGSIDE AUSTIN RENTERS TO BUILD POWER, PROTECT RIGHTS, AND IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS ACROSS OUR CITY.
BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING TENANT ACTION OR BASTA WAS FOUND IN 2016 IN RESPONSE TO THE LONGSTANDING CONCERNS FROM RENTERS WHO WERE SEEKING SAFE, STABLE, AND FAIR HOUSING.
SINCE THEN, BA HAS HELPED ORGANIZE AND SUPPORT THOUSANDS OF RENTERS WORKING WITH MORE THAN 40 TENANT ASSOCIATIONS TO ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE NEEDED REPAIRS, UNFAIR PRACTICES, AND HOU HOUSING INSTABILITY, WHILE ALSO BUILDING STRONGER MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITIES.
THEIR WORK GOES BEYOND ADVOCACY THROUGH THROUGH KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS, WHICH I'VE BEEN A PART OF, WHICH ARE GREAT.
UH, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, WHICH IS ALSO GREAT, AND THEIR EVICTION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.
ALSO, GREAT BASTA HAS EMPOWERED RENTERS WITH INFORMATION AND TOOLS THEY NEED TO NAVIGATE CHALLENGES AND STAY IN THEIR HOMES.
THEIR LEGAL ADVOCACY HAS ALSO HELPED DEFEND TENANTS AND EVICTION CASES AND SUPPORT ENTIRE COMMUNITIES SEEKING BROADER RELIEF.
JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, BASTA HAS BROUGHT THE VOICES AND EXPERIENCES OF RENTERS INTO POLICY CONVERSATIONS ENSURING THAT DECISIONS MADE AT CITY HALL ARE INFORMED BY THOSE MOST DIRECTLY IMPACTED THIS WORK.
THIS WORK TAKES PERSISTENCE, IT TAKES TRUST, AND IT TAKES A DEEP COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY.
AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 10TH ANNIVERSARY, WE RECOGNIZE BASA FOR THEIR TIRELESS EFFORTS TO SUPPORT TENANTS AND STRENGTHEN HOUSING JUSTICE IN AUSTIN.
UM, AND BEFORE I GO INTO THE PROCLAMATION, I'M GONNA PASS IT OFF TO SHOSHANA IF YOU WANNA SAY A FEW WORDS.
WELL, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE TODAY.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, WHO'S ALWAYS BEEN A SELLER ALLY OF TENANTS, UM, ESPECIALLY AT MOUNT CARMEL APARTMENTS, UM, FIGHTING FOR RELOCATION PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE FOLKS.
UM, I JUST WANNA THANK EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT OF 10 YEARS.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR TEAM WHO IS HERE TODAY, SHOUT OUT, UM, WHO DO ALL OF THE WORK DAY TO DAY, MOVING ALL OF THE THINGS WHICH COUNCIL, UH, MEMBER CADRY, UH, MENTIONED FORWARD.
UM, WE HAD A WONDERFUL, UH, CELEBRATION WITH OVER 200 MEMBERS AND ALLIES INCLUDING, UH, FOLKS, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THIS ROOM, AND ALSO COUNCIL MEMBERS STAFF, UM, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
AND, UH, THIS IS REALLY A WONDERFUL WAY, UH, TO CAP OFF, UH, OUR ANNIVERSARY, UM, MONTH.
UM, AND WE HAVE APPRECIATED ALL, ALL OF THE SUPPORT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS, BOTH ON POLICY ISSUES AND ADVOCACY, UM, AND ALSO IN TERMS OF FUNDING, UM, IMPORTANT, UH, SERVICES, UH, WHICH BENEFIT, UH, RENTERS IN OUR CITY.
AND THERE'S ALSO A FEES RESOLUTION TODAY, UH, WHICH CAN ALSO, UH, BENEFIT RENTERS, UH, WHICH, UH, HOPEFULLY WE WILL, UH, BE THE FIRST CITY IN TEXAS WHO HAS A FEE, UH, TRANSPARENCY DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.
I'M GONNA HAVE YOU HOLD UP THE NIFTY ROCK.
WE'VE RESISTED PROCLAMATIONS TO THIS POINT TOO.
UM, WELL, UH, BEFORE I READ THE PRO I, I DO WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, ALL THE GREAT WORK OF FOLKS AT, AT BASTA, UH, WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE'RE JOINED BY STAFFERS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER'S OFFICE, UH, MY OFFICE, AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S SOMEONE MY OFFICE.
OH, UH, AND COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, LANE'S OFFICE, ALSO ALSO JOINED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LANE, COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, UH, AND ALSO A STAFFER FROM COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON'S OFFICE.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I'VE ACKNOWLEDGED EVERY, EVERYONE WHO NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED.
WITH THAT, I WILL READ THE PROC, UH, BEING KNOWN THAT, WHEREAS BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING TENANT ACTION, UH, EXCUSE MY SPANISH, WHICH I WILL BUTCHER, UH, BUSON AXION ECEL RU DAD GAY TRANSFORMA L RTO.
AND WHEREAS BASTA WORKS TO BUILD TENANT POWER IN AUSTIN, WE'RE BRINGING UNDERREPRESENTED AUSTIN RENTERS INTO A HOUSING JUSTICE MOVEMENT FUELED BY TENANT LED ORGANIZING, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.
AND WHEREAS BASA HAS ORGANIZED ALONGSIDE THOUSANDS OF AUSTIN RENTERS SUPPORTING MORE THAN 40 TENANT ASSOCIATIONS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS IN SECURING REPAIRS, REIGNING IN ABUSIVE LANDLORD PRACTICES, COMBATING JUNK FEES, OBTAINING RELOCATION BENEFITS, RECEIVING FINANCIAL COMPENSATION, AND BUILDING COMMUNITY AND RENTAL PROPERTIES.
[00:20:01]
BASTA HAS USED CREATIVE INTERACTIVE APPROACHES TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE WITH THOUSANDS OF RENTERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR, WITH OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS TO CONDUCT, UH, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS, FIELD OUTREACH AND AND OPERATE AND EVICTION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.AND WHEREAS BA'S LEGAL TEAM HAS DEFENDED TENANTS AND EVICTION MATTERS TO KEEP THEM IN THEIR HOMES AND HAS REPRESENTED TENANT ASSOCIATIONS IN SEEKING A BROADER RELIEF FOR THEIR ENTIRE COMMUNITIES.
AND WHEREAS BA HAS CONTRIBUTED TO HOUSING POLICY CONVERSATIONS TO ENSURE RENTER PERSPECTIVES TO INFORM DECISION MAKING AND HAS DEVELOPED DATA TOOLS AND DASHBOARDS TO BOTH INFORM POLICY MATTERS AND TARGET OUTREACH NOW THEREFORE BE PROCLAIMED THAT THIS DAY IS HEREBY RECOGNIZED IN HONOR OF BAA'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY AND APPRECIATION OF THEIR TIRELESS WORK TO SUPPORT TENANTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER OGA ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND THE REST OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 20TH, 2026 AS BASTA AUSTIN'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
[Distinguished Service Award - Julia Spann- To be presented by Council Member Ryan Alter]
MORNING.I AM COUNCILMAN RYAN ALTER AND I AM HERE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE SERVICE OF A TRUE COMMUNITY CHAMPION JULIUS SPAN.
UM, FOR 30 YEARS, SHE HAS DEDICATED HERSELF PROBABLY MORE THAN 30 YEARS, I HAVE TO IMAGINE
MOST RECENTLY AS CEO, UM, SHE WAS ABLE TO HELP COUNTLESS FAMILIES WHO ARE IN SITUATIONS THAT NOBODY WANTS TO FIND THEMSELVES IN.
UM, BUT THROUGH DEDICATION AND HARD WORK AND REALLY JUST HONORING, UH, THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE THERE, UH, ABLE TO HELP THEM THROUGH THAT DIFFICULT SITUATION, UH, AND INTO WHAT IS A MORE STABLE, SUCCESSFUL, UM, PLACE IN THE, IN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT OFTEN GOES UNNOTICED AND WITH NOT NEAR ENOUGH THANK YOUS.
SO TODAY WE GET TO SAY THANK YOU.
AND SO I WANT TO, UH, PRESENT THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR HER STEADFAST COMMITMENT, OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND TIRELESS SERVICE TO THE ORGANIZATION, TIRELESS SERVICE TO THE ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY.
THROUGHOUT HER NEARLY 30 YEARS AT THE SAFE ALLIANCE AND ITS PREDECESSOR AGENCIES, JULIUS SPAN IS DESERVING OF PUBLIC ACCLAIM AND RECOGNITION.
THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED AND APPRECIATION THEREOF.
SO NOW I, RYAN ALTER ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE JULIUS SPAN IN THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.
I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO SAY A FEW WORDS IF YOU'D LIKE.
I, UM, I REMEMBER MOVING TO THIS COMMUNITY IN THE KIND OF EARLY TO MID NINETIES AND, UM, REALIZING THAT COMPARED TO WHERE I HAD BEEN, THE CITY SUPPORTED SOCIAL SERVICES IN AN AMAZING WAY.
AND I HAVE BEEN SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WORK WITH GREAT BOARD MEMBERS, THE SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY, THESE AMAZING COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS.
UM, IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE STAY SAFE AND, UH, SECURE IN THEIR HOMES AND IN THEIR LIVES.
AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR A CITY WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT WHEN WE INVEST IN THOSE WHO HAVE THE LEAST, WHO ARE MOST AT RISK OF FALLING THROUGH ALL THE CRACKS, THEN WE AS
[00:25:01]
A COMMUNITY WILL THRIVE AND, UM, BE ABLE TO BE GREATER IN ALL OF OUR CAPACITIES.EVERYBODY WILL BENEFIT FROM THAT.
UM, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND THE MAYOR AND ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS NOW, AND IN PAST YEARS, IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU.
WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE HERE WE COME RIGHT UP AND FRONT.
UH, IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE WITH THIS
[Proclamation – World Facilities Management Day– To be presented by Council Member Mike Siegel]
GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE WORLD FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DAY.UM, IT'S MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION FOR MANY OF THE HIDDEN HEROES OF OUR CITY.
UH, WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO CITY HALL OR THE PERMITTING CENTER, OR A LIBRARY OR A REC CENTER, OUR FACILITIES FOLKS ARE MAKING SURE WE CAN DO BUSINESS AND ACCESS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE WAY.
WE CELEBRATE OUR FACILITIES MANAGERS, OUR HVAC PROFESSIONALS, OUR SECURITY PERSONNEL, OUR ACCOUNTANTS, OUR CUSTODIANS, AND SO MANY MORE WHO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON THE AIR.
THE FLOOR IS CLEAN, THE DOORS OPEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE.
I KNOW THAT WHEN I WALK INTO CITY HALL AND SEE ANGEL AT THE FRONT DESK OR GREG KEEPING US SAFE, UH, AT THE ELEVATORS OR OPER WHO TAKES CARE OF US ON THE SECOND FLOOR, I FEEL CARE, I FEEL CARED FOR AND SUPPORTED AND READY TO DO MY WORK.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF OUR HIDDEN HEROES FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
I'M SO GLAD WE COULD TAKE TODAY TO APPRECIATE YOU.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL INTRODUCE DIRECTOR DALE ALEXANDER.
UM, JUST REAL QUICK, I AGREE EVERYTHING THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBER SAID, ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD TELL YOU IS THAT WE, I LIKE TO SAY WE MAINTAIN THE PLACES WHERE GREAT WORK HAPPENS.
OKAY? UH, THESE GUYS ARE ARE SUPERHEROES, BUT WITHOUT THE CAPES.
THEY MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FLOORS ARE CLEAN, THE AIR CONDITIONERS, WORKING, ELEVATORS ARE WORKING AND, AND OTHER THINGS THAT MAINTAIN A BUILDING.
AND PEOPLE REALLY DON'T KNOW THAT UNTIL SOMETHING GOES WRONG.
SO IT IS REALLY, REALLY, UH, A HONOR TO BE AMONGST THESE GUYS.
AND THIS IS JUST NOT THE CITY OF AUSTIN FACILITY MANAGEMENT.
THIS IS, UH, THROUGH THE ENTERPRISE, AUSTIN WATER, AUSTIN ENERGY PARK AND SO ON.
SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT, SIR, AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU.
ALRIGHT, SO HERE'S THE, THE FANCY PART HERE.
SO DIRECTOR, IF YOU WOULD, HOLD THE PROCLAMATION TOWARDS THE CAMERA AND I'LL READ IT OUT.
SO BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS WORLD FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DAY RECOGNIZES THE EFFORTS OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS WHO INFLUENCE THE HEALTH, SAFETY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND WELLBEING OF ALL HU'S AUSTIN FACILITIES AND REFLECTING THE 2026 THEME, CULTIVATING BELONGING THROUGH BUILT ENVIRONMENTS HIGHLIGHTS THEIR ROLE IN CREATING INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING SPACES WHERE EVERYONE FEELS CONNECTED.
AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT TEAM AND SEVERAL OTHER DEPARTMENTAL FM GROUPS WORK BEHIND THE SCENES DAILY TO KEEP ALL CITY OF AUSTIN FACILITIES OPEN AND MAINTAINED IN A SAFE, RELIABLE, AND EFFICIENT MANNER FOR BOTH EMPLOYEES AND THE PUBLIC.
AND WHEREAS THESE INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS MAKE THE CITY OF AUSTIN A SAFER PLACE TO WORK AND LIVE THE DEDICATION TO THEIR WORK AND THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN HAS BUILT A HEALTHY, SAFE, AND PRODUCTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
THE NOW, THEREFORE, I'M MIKE SIEGEL ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 28TH, 2026 AS WORLD FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DAY IN AUSTIN.
AND TELL HOW TO, DO YOU WANT US IN FRONT OR HOW DO YES.