[Proclamations – Promotoras de Salud Day (Community Health Workers) – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela]
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I'M MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AND I AM HERE TO WELCOME OUR PROMO TORES AND PROMO TORES, WHO THEY DO GREAT WORK, UH, IN THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE, IN THE SPANISH SPEAKING COMMUNITY, MAKING SURE FOLKS ARE AWARE OF SERVICES, THAT THEY'RE INFORMED, THAT THEY'RE ORGANIZED, THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES.
AND I WANT TO THANK ALSO SO MUCH, UH, UH, VANESSA FUENTES, COUNCIL MEMBERS VANESSA FUENTES AND NATASHA HARPER MADISON, FOR BEING HERE WITH ME.
AND, AND I'M GONNA START IN ENGLISH.
SWITCH OVER TO SPANISH AND THEN TURN IT OVER A LITTLE BIT.
SO, THIS'S GONNA BE A BILINGUAL PROCLAMATION TODAY, FOLKS.
UM, TODAY WE'RE CELEBRATING NATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER AWARENESS WEEK, AUGUST 24TH THROUGH 28TH A WEEK DEDICATED TO RECOGNIZING THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE AS TRUSTED BRIDGES BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
I'M PROUD TO RECOGNIZE, UH, PROMOT TORES AND PROMOT TORE
UH, OFTEN, UH, BEHIND THE SCENES, UH, SOME OF THE WORK THEY DO IS JUST MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE HEALTH PROGRAMS, OF THE HEALTH INSURANCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT IN THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S, UH, OBAMACARE OR MAP, OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.
UH, THE SYSTEM OF INSURANCE, AS WE ALL KNOW, CAN BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO, OR ONE OF THE CRITICAL THINGS THAT THEY DO, UH, IS MAKE SURE THAT, THAT BOTH, UH, THE, THE PARENTS AND THE CHILDREN, UH, HAVE THE HEALTH INSURANCE THAT THEY NEED TO STAY HEALTHY.
I MEAN, IF WE'RE NOT HEALTHY, WE CAN'T WORK, WE CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL.
HEALTHY IS JUST SO CRITICAL TO EVERYTHING, UH, THAT WE DO.
THEY CONNECT, UH, FOLKS WITH, UH, COVERAGE.
THEY SUPPORT THEIR, THEIR SUPPORT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FAMILY GOING WITHOUT A CRITICAL SERVICE AND A FAMILY GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED.
AND I ALSO WANNA GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO AUSTIN VOICES FOR EDUCATION, UH, AND YOUTH THAT HAS, UH, BUILT AN IMPORTANT NETWORK THROUGH ITS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS, BRINGING SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND SERVICE PRO PROVIDERS TOGETHER.
UH, MY STAFF AND I FREQUENTLY VISIT THE, UH, THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS, UH, FOOD PANTRIES, UH, JUST, YOU KNOW, FOLKS MEETING, SHARING INFORMATION, GETTING TOGETHER REALLY, REALLY GOOD AND IMPORTANT WORK.
THE S ARE A CRITICAL PART OF THAT NETWORK BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY AND CAN HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE RESOURCES IN A WAY THAT IS PERSONAL, ACCESSIBLE, AND GROUNDED IN TRUST.
UM, LET ME GO AHEAD AND TURN IT OVER TO, UH, TERESA RIVERA TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
MY NAME IS TERESA RIVERA AND I'M PROUD TO SAY A FEW WORDS ON BEHALF OF MY GROUP TODAY.
WE CELEBRATE THE DAILY EFFORT AND THE GEN GENUINE HUMAN SPIRIT WE BRING TO HELPING FAMILIES, PROVIDING INFORMATION, CONNECTING THEM WITH EXISTING CITY PROGRAMS, AND OFFERING GUIDANCE ON SOCIAL SERVICES, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE TIMES OF CONFUSION.
WE ASSIST WITH EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON AVAILABLE MEDICAL PROGRAMS ALL IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE.
WE ARE A VOICE CAPABLE OF TRANSFORMING FAMILIES LIVES, EMPOWERING THEM, AND SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR LEADERSHIP DRIVES CHA CHA CHANGE, AND WE SERVE AS A CONDUIT FOR SHARING INFORMATION AND PROMOTING PREVENTION ACROSS MANY AREAS OF LIFE PERSONALLY, WHO COULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT AN EFFORT WHICH BEGAN BY GOING FROM PLACE TO PLACE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COVID VACCINE, WILL GROW TO SUCH UNIMAGINABLE PROPORTIONS AND CAN PROUDLY SAY THAT AUSTIN VOICES HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU TO THE OFFICIAL PRESENT HERE, MS. ADRIANA, FOR HELPING, UH, STEP BY STEP TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE AS WELL TO MR. VELA, OUR DISTRICT FOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND HIS TEAM, UH, DRAWING ON HIS EXPERTISE AS AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY.
HE SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY AND REACHES THE MOST VULNERABLE, UH, AREAS.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK MS. JULIE AND MS. ALLEN WEEKS AND THE AVI TEAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THROUGH THEIR EXCELLENCE WORK, COORDINATING WITH OTHER GROUPS AND PROGRAMS WE ARE PART OF, WE LEARN HOW TO BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR TRAINING US AND FOR OPENING DOORS THAT ALLOW US TO IMPROVE EVERY DAY.
THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION.
CONGRATULATIONS, AUSTIN VOICES
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MORE.YEAH, NICK, THANK YOU, UH, SO MUCH.
UH, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND, UH, READ THE, UH, THE PROCLAMATION, BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I JUST WANTED TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT FOUR, UH, IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT TIME RIGHT NOW, UH, WITH REGARD TO, UH, IMMIGRATION, UH, ENFORCEMENT.
WE'VE SEEN, UH, UH, AN ELEVATION OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, UH, PUTTING A LOT OF, UH, FEAR, UH, AND A LOT OF, UH, FAMILIES AT RISK.
AND, UH, I KNOW THAT, THAT THE COMMUNITY, THE RESOURCES, PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER, UH, IN SOLIDARITY, IN SUPPORT OF EACH OTHER, UH, IS SO IMPORTANT.
IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT, BUT ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME.
AND AGAIN, I JUST WANNA THANK THEM.
UM, AND, AND THE LAST THING I'LL SAY BEFORE READING IT, I LOVE THAT AUSTIN VOICES FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH, UH, AND THE, THE PROMOT WORK AT THE SCHOOLS.
IT, IT'S, YOU KNOW, IN ORGANIZING, DON'T GO KIND OF TRY TO BUILD SOMETHING NEW OVER THERE.
THAT'S WHERE THE KIDS ARE, THAT'S WHERE THE FAMILIES ARE, AND THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE.
AND THAT'S JUST SUCH AN EFFECTIVE WAY OF, UH, ORGANIZING IT'S, UH, A REALLY, UH, IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION THAT, THAT DOES A LOT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SO, AGAIN, I JUST WANNA RECOGNIZE THEM.
UH, AND LET ME GO AHEAD AND, AND, AND READ THESE.
AND I'M GONNA DO IT FAST 'CAUSE I KNOW WE'RE, WE'RE, UH, WE'RE, UH, GOING A LITTLE LONG.
LET ME, UH, DO IT IN, UH, I'M JUST GONNA DO IT IN, IN, IN SPANISH TODAY.
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PRO AUSTIN VOICES FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.SO, LEMME JUST SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE PROMO TORAHS FOR COMING.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY WATCHING.
UH, AND, UH, THANK YOU FOR, UH, UH, LISTENING IN SPANISH.
IT'S A, WE'RE A BILINGUAL COMMUNITY AND THIS IS A, A GREAT EXAMPLE OF IT.
SO AGAIN, THANK Y'ALL VERY, VERY MUCH.
WE CAN SPILL IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM AND MAYBE PROCLAMATION.
OH, ONE MORE PHOTO
[Proclamations – National Breastfeeding Month – To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes]
ALL RIGHT.MY NAME IS VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN FOR DISTRICT TWO.
I'M JOINED HERE TODAY WITH MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA HARPER MADISON.
AND WE ARE EXCITED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEMS. BREASTFEEDING AND BREAST MILK COMES WITH LIFELONG BENEFITS.
BREASTFEEDING HELPS MOTHERS RECOVER FROM BIRTH AND PROMOTE BONDING WITH BABIES.
BREAST MILK CONTAINS ANTIBODIES THAT HELP FIGHT OFF VIRUSES AND BACTERIA, AND IT REDUCES THE CHANCE OF INFECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASES IN THE FUTURE.
AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE, AS A NEW MOM THIS MONTH IS ALSO VERY SPECIAL FOR ME 'CAUSE IT'S THE FIRST MONTH THAT, UH, FIRST TIME I GET TO ALSO PARTICIPATE.
AND FOR ME, UM, YOU KNOW, I WAS VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO BREASTFEEDING.
I HAD GOTTEN ALL THE SUPPLIES AND, UH, TOOK A CLASS ON IT AS WELL.
UM, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER TOWARDS THE TAIL END OF MY PREGNANCY.
AND WHILE I, THAT WAS DEVASTATING NEWS IN AND OF ITSELF, I QUICKLY REMEMBERED THE MOTHER'S MILK BANK, AN ORGANIZATION WHO HERE IS WITH MOTHERS, THERE WE GO.
AND SO VERY QUICKLY WE REACHED OUT AND ORGANIZED AND VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF MOTHERS BELK BANK BECAUSE OF YOU ALL IT.
WE, AND BECAUSE OF THE, THE DONATIONS, UM, FROM MOTHERS, UM, WHO DONATE THEIR BREAST MILK, IT HELPED MY BABY HAVE A STRONG START TO THEIR LIFE.
AND SO JUST WANNA APPRECIATE, UM, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT THAT GOES INTO BREASTFEEDING AND, UM, THE IMPORTANCE OF DONATING, IF YOU CAN.
SO IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO STAND HERE WITH THESE AMAZING ORGANIZATIONS WHO SUPPORT MOTHERS ON THEIR BREASTFEEDING JOURNEY AND PROVIDE THE DAILY RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR LITTLEST AUSTINITES.
THIS YEAR WE ARE COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING WHAT WORKS.
THAT IS ACCESS TO BREASTFEEDING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT COUNSELING, PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, PRIVATE LACTATION ROOMS AT THE WORKPLACE, AND MORE ALTOGETHER WE CAN CONTINUE TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE
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SUPPORT SYSTEMS SO THAT ALL FAMILIES CAN THRIVE.SO IT'S MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO THE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR, ANGELA FITCH, IF YOU WANNA HOLD THIS WHILE I READ IT.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS BREASTFEEDING PROVIDES OPTIMAL NUTRITION FOR INFANTS AND SUPPORTS THE LIFELONG HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF BOTH BABIES AND MOTHERS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HEALTHIER FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
AND WHEREAS THE 2026 NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING THEME, BREASTFEEDING FOR A SUSTAINABLE START IN LIFE, STRENGTHENING WHAT WORKS ESTABLISHED BY THE WORLD ALLIANCE FOR BREASTFEEDING ACTION RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING LASTING COMMUNITY, WORKPLACE HEALTHCARE, AND FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT ENABLE BREAST BREASTFEEDING SUCCESS.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN AS A DESIGNATED TEXAS MOTHER FRIENDLY WORK SITE DEMONSTRATES ITS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING EMPLOYEES THROUGH WORKPLACE POLICIES, ACCOMMODATIONS, AND RESOURCES THAT HELP FAMILIES THRIVE.
AND WHEREAS PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM, THE MOTHER'S PLACE, LACTATION SUPPORT CENTER, MATERNAL INFANT OUTREACH PROGRAM, FAMILY CONNECTS MOTHER MILK BANK OF AUSTIN, ANY BABY CAN, HEALTHY FAMILIES OF TRAVIS COUNTY AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP FAMILIES ACCESS CRITICAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING BREASTFEEDING EDUCATION, PEER COUNSELING, HOME VISITS, DONOR MILK, NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES, AND PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE CARE THAT IMPROVES MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH OUTCOMES.
NOW THEREFORE, I ALONG COUNCILMAN VANESSA FUENTES, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA SHEAD, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST, 2026 AS NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UH, AND WITH THAT, MS. ANGELA FITCH WILL SAY A FEW WORDS.
I'M HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING AUGUST AS NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING MONTH 2026 IN AUSTIN.
THIS YEAR'S THEME BREASTFEEDING FOR A SUSTAINABLE START IN LIFE STRENGTHEN WHAT WORKS ESTABLISHED BY THE WORLD ALLIANCE FOR BREASTFEEDING ACTION REMINDS US THAT SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING DEPENDS ON STRONG LASTING SUPPORT SYSTEMS. WHEN FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO SUPPORT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, WORKPLACES, HEALTHCARE SETTINGS, AND HOMES, BABIES AND PARENTS ARE BETTER POSITIONED TO THRIVE.
THIS THEME CALLS ON US ALL TO BUILD UPON THE PROGRAM'S, PARTNERSHIPS, AND POLICIES THAT ARE ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEMS THAT HELP FAMILIES ACHIEVE THEIR BREASTFEEDING GOALS.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS PROUD TO BE A DESIGNATED MOTHER FRIENDLY WORK SITE DEMONSTRATING OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING EMPLOYEES THROUGH WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS, POLICIES AND RESOURCES THAT HELP FAMILIES BALANCE WORK AND CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES.
AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH IS PROUD TO ADVANCE THIS WORK THROUGH PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAM, MOMS PLACE, LACTATION SUPPORT CENTER, THE MATERNAL INFANT OUTREACH PROGRAM, HEALTH, UH, FAMILY CONNECTS, AND VARIOUS OTHER MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH INITIATIVES.
WE'RE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR THE STRONG NETWORK OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO HELP MAKE AUSTIN A MORE SUPPORTIVE PLACE FOR FAMILIES, INCLUDING MOTHER'S MILK BANK AT AUSTIN, HEALTHY FAMILIES OF TRAVIS COUNTY, BLACK MAMA'S, A TX GALS, ANY BABY CAN MAMA SAUNA, AND MANY OTHERS.
TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS HELP CREATE THE SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT SYSTEMS HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS YEARS THEME, ENSURING THAT FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO THE EDUCATION, RESOURCES AND ENCOURAGEMENT THEY NEED FROM PREGNANCY TO EARLY CHILDHOOD.
WITH THIS PROCLAMATION, WE REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING WHAT WORKS AND BUILDING A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR AUSTIN'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
WE'LL JUST DO A LITTLE GROUP PHOTO.
[Proclamations – National Immunization Awareness Month – To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes]
RIGHT.I'M VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN FOR DISTRICT TWO, AND I'M THRILLED TO BE HERE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION MONTH.
VACCINES ARE PERSONAL, NOT JUST FOR ME OR THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, BUT FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN
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THIS COUNTRY.THEY SAVE LIVES AND THEY CLOSE HEALTH DIVIDES.
IN FACT, IT WAS AUSTIN'S HEALTH DIVIDE.
UH, THE VERY FACT THAT LIVING ON ONE SIDE OF I 35 CAN CUT YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY UP TO 20 YEARS, THAT PUSHED ME TO RUN FOR OFFICE BACK IN 2020.
AND IT WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC WHERE WE SPENT WHOLE DAYS DISTRIBUTING LIFE-SAVING VACCINES SO WE COULD ALL PLAY OUR PART IN PROTECTING OURSELVES, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR NEIGHBORS.
I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY.
VACCINES HAVE HELPED US OVERCOME MAJOR HEALTH THREATS AND CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.
WHETHER IT'S MEASLES, COVID-19, OR SMALLPOX, WE HAVE SEEN HOW VACCINES HELP SAVE LIVES AND HELP US LIVE LONGER LIVES.
BUT PROMOTING VACCINES GOES BEYOND GETTING ONE JUST FOR YOURSELF.
IT'S ALSO MEANS DISPELLING YEARS OF MISINFORMATION.
IT MEANS SHOWING THE WORK THAT ADDRESSING THE VERY REAL SYSTEMIC INJUSTICES EMBEDDED IN OUR COUNTRIES CORPORATIZED HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, THE VERY INJUSTICES THAT SOW DISTRUST IN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE SIMPLY TRYING TO SAVE LIVES.
SO THANK YOU TO THE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IMMUNIZATION UNIT AND COMMUNITY CARE PARTNERS AND UPPER RES DAMIEN, FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO IMMUNIZATION AND EDUCATION AND ACCESS.
NOW WITH IT'S MY HONOR TO PRE PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO OUR MEDICAL HEALTH DIRECTOR, DR.
DEMAR WA YOU WANNA HOLD THIS? I'LL READ THIS REAL QUICK.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHERE AS THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION DECLARED VACCINES TO BE ONE OF THE TOP 10 GREATEST PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS OF THE 20TH CENTURY.
VACCINATIONS ARE ONE OF THE BEST WAYS PARENTS CAN PROTECT INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND TEENS FROM 16 POTENTIALLY HARMFUL DISEASES.
WHEREAS VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES HAVE INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS WITH OUTBREAKS OF PTOSIS AND CASES OF MEASLES.
AND I'M GONNA SAY, TRY TO PRONOUNCE THIS CORRECTLY, MENINGOCOCCAL, DID I GET THAT RIGHT? DISEASE IN AUSTIN IN 2025 AND IN 2026.
AND WHEREAS AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTERED OVER 38,000 VACCINES AND 2025 AND SUPPORTED MORE THAN 80 TEXAS VACCINES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULT SAFETY NET PROVIDERS, THESE PROVIDERS HAVE DELIVERED OVER 260 IMMUNIZATIONS IN AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY.
AND WHEREAS IMMUNIZATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL THROUGHOUT LIFE AS ADULTS REMAIN AT RISK FOR SERIOUS PREVENTABLE DISEASES.
AND PREGNANT PEOPLE DEPEND ON VACCINATIONS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR NEWBORNS.
AND ROUTINE CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS ARE A COST-EFFECTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTION WITH EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS, RESULTING IN APPROXIMATELY $11 IN SAVINGS.
AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH IMMUNIZATIONS UNIT PROTECTS THE HEALTH OF AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO IMMUNIZATIONS, EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND SUPPORTING LOCAL IMMUNIZATION PROVIDERS AND PARTNERS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUSTIN 2020, EXCUSE ME, HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST, 2026 AS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I'M GONNA GONNA SQUEEZE OVER HERE TO YOUR LEFT.
UM, ON BEHALF OF AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, IT IS AN HONOR TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES HIR SURROUNDING, UM, FOR NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH.
THIS MONTH WE AIM TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
VACCINES PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND PROTECT THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.
TRAVIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO MAKE STRONG PROGRESS IN CHILDHOOD VACCINATION COVERAGE RATES.
THE KINDERGARTEN MMR VACCINATION COVERAGE RATE FOR TRAVIS COUNTY INCREASED FROM 86.7% IN 20 24, 20 25 SCHOOL YEAR TO 94.3% IN 20 25, 20 26 SCHOOL YEAR.
IT INCREASED FROM 86.7% TO 94.3% THANKS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE.
THESE GAINS REFLECT A BROAD COMMUNITY EFFORT ACROSS PUBLIC HEALTH, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, AND NONPROFIT SECTORS.
OUR 80 PLUS TEXAS VACCINE FOR CHILDREN PROVIDERS, INCLUDING COMMUNITY CARE,
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PEOPLE'S COMMUNITY CLINIC, LONE STAR, CIRCLE OF CARE, AND MANY OTHERS, DELIVERED OVER 250,000 VACCINE DOSES IN 2025.AFTER THE PROCLAMATION, WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING SOME OF THESE PROVIDERS TODAY.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND NURSES WHO CONTINUE TO ENSURE STUDENTS MEET IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL.
AUGUST AUSTIN, ISD MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN VACCINATION COVERAGE IN THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ALSO STRENGTHEN ACCESS.
VAN DE AT THE MEXICAN CONSULATE SUPPORTS OUR POPUP VACCINATION CLINICS HELPING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO RECEIVE VACCINES IN TRUSTED, FAMILIAR SETTING.
AUSTIN VOICES FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH HAS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN ENGAGING FAMILIES IN VACCINATION.
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE WORK OF THE IMMUNIZATION PARTNERSHIP, EMPOWERING VACCINE CHAMPIONS THROUGH EDUCATION AND DATA.
WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEDICATED WORK OF AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF THAT SUPPORTS VACCINATIONS, INCLUDING NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS, SERVICES, HEALTH EQUITY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS UNITS, INCLUDING OUR MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS.
OUR IMMUNIZATION UNIT PROVIDES VACCINATION SERVICES, SUPPORTS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, ENSURES SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE COMPLIANCE, AND CONDUCTS EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO IMPROVE IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE.
COUNTYWIDE, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMUNIZATION THROUGH THE PROCLAMATION OF NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH IN AUSTIN.
TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNERS, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING VACCINATION COVERAGE AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.
NEXT, THE SPEAKER FROM C OH YES, GOOD MORNING.
I AM THE CHIEF NURSING OFFICER FOR COMMUNITY CARE, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ON SOMETHING THAT WE HOLD DEAR AT COMMUNITY CARE, WHICH IS VACCINES.
UM, YOU KNOW ABOUT COMMUNITY CARE JUST A BIT.
WE ARE A SET OF FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS OVER 30 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL TEXAS.
AND LAST YEAR WE SERVED OVER 148,000 UNIQUE PATIENTS WITH OVER HALF A MILLION VISITS, UH, THROUGHOUT THAT YEAR.
SO WHY VFC MATTERS? VFC ENSURES THAT OUR CHILDREN STAY HEALTHY, THAT IT HELPS THEM ENSURE THAT THEY CAN GO TO SCHOOL, BE FOCUSED, HAVE A HEALTHCARE LIFE THAT IS CRITICAL TO BEING GOOD CITIZENS AND GOOD MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR COMMUNITY CARE.
LAST YEAR WE PROVIDED OVER 122,000 VACCINES, UH, TO OUR CHILDREN, BOTH PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT.
UM, JUST IN AUGUST ALONE, TO HELP OUR CHILDREN GET READY FOR SCHOOL, WE PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL 800 VACCINES THROUGH VARIOUS EVENTS THAT WE HAD TRYING TO PREPARE OUR CHILDREN TO BE READY, UM, FOR, FOR THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.
YOU KNOW, WHAT'S CRITICAL IS THE IDEA OF PREVENTION VACCINES, NURSING IN PARTICULAR COMMUNITY CARE.
WE HOLD THIS TO BE TRUE THAT PRIMARY PREVENTION IS THE BEST WAY TO HELP OUR CHILDREN STAY HEALTHY.
IT PREVENTS DISEASE AND IT'S CRITICAL.
THE CDC HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT IT SAVES LIVES.
IT SAY MINIMIZES HOSPITALIZATION, MINIMIZES DEATHS.
SO THAT'S WHAT'S CRITICAL ABOUT THE SERVICE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING.
THIS IS, THIS IS A DEMONSTRATION OF THE AMAZING VALUE OF A PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM AND AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP, UM, WITH THE VACCINE FOR CHILDREN PROGRAMS SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO HELP OUR CHILDREN STAY SAFE AND BE READY TO PROSPER IN OUR COMMUNITY.
[Proclamations – Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs) – To be presented by Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison]
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GOOD MORNING, AUSTIN, TEXAS.I AM NATASHA HARPER MADISON, THE VERY PROUD, UH, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTING DISTRICT ONE RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UH, DISTRICT ONE IS HOME TO NEARLY 100,000 RESIDENTS.
THAT INCLUDES ENTREPRENEURS, INNOVATORS, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND SMALL BUSINESSES.
TODAY I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SPOTLIGHTING AND HONORING THE 2026 GRANT FOR TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM, A KAG TOP
GO PS PROVIDED GRANTS TO 21 LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS PROVIDING INTERNET ACCESS TECHNOLOGY DEVICES, AND BOOSTING DIGITAL SKILLS AMONG O AMONGST UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS.
THE NATIONAL DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCE, NDIA HAS RECOGNIZED THE CITY OF AUSTIN AS A 2025 VISIONARY DIGITAL INCLUSION TRAILBLAZER.
AND I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT PERSONALLY.
YOU KNOW, SORT OF OFF SCRIPT JUST TO SAY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I RECOGNIZE COMING INTO THE ROLE, YOU KNOW, AS I CONCLUDE MY ROLE IN JANUARY WILL HAVE BEEN EIGHT YEARS, YOU KNOW, HONORABLY SERVING THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
ONE OF THE THINGS I VERY QUICKLY REALIZED COMING IN WAS THAT MY FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE WOULD IN FACT ADD TO THE LEVEL OF DIVERSITY THAT WE REPRESENT, UH, FROM THE DAYS HAVING MY OWN EXPERIENCE AND THAT OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE ACCESS TO THESE VERY BASIC TOOLS, IF YOU'RE GONNA EXIST, SURVIVE, AND THRIVE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.
SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT ALL OF YOU GUYS DO TO HELP LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR PEOPLE IN OUR CITY.
UM, AS WE HIGHLIGHT THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING DIGITAL EQUITY AND CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, I WANNA RECOGNIZE THAT AUSTIN EARNED THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE SCORE, 23 OUT OF 23 POINTS.
THE TOP LEVEL OF DISTINCTION AWARDED THROUGH THIS NATIONAL PROGRAM.
AUSTIN EARNS ITS VI IT'S VISIONARY DIGITAL INCLUSION, TR THAT'S A TONGUE TWISTER.
THE GTOP PROGRAM IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT ALL AUSTINITES HAVE ACCESS TO DIGITAL TOOLS THEY NEED, LIKE HIGH SPEED INTERNET.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S SOMETHING WE TAKE FOR GRANTED AND DON'T NECESSARILY CONSIDER A UTILITY, A BASIC UTILITY AS WE SHOULD.
AND I APPRECIATE FOLKS REALLY HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESS IN THAT WAY.
AND IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT UNIQUE.
IT'S NOT ONE OFF, IT'S NOT AN ANOMALY.
EVERYBODY NEEDS DIGITAL ACCESS AND EVERYBODY NEEDS ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.
I JUST MET WITH SOME FOLKS OUT IN THE HALLWAY FROM AMERICAN YOUTH WORKS THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT REFURBISHING DEVICES, COMPUTER DEVICES, AND THE TECHNICAL SKILLS TO USE THEM.
THESE AREN'T JUST NICE TO HAVE ANYMORE.
THEY ARE ESSENTIALS FOR STAYING CONNECTED EVERY, EVERY DAY THROUGH EDUCATION, THROUGH WORK, AND THROUGH HEALTHCARE.
UM, WHO'S, WHO SIGNED INTO THEIR MYCHART AT SOME POINT THIS WEEK, EVEN OUR HEALTHCARE IS MADE MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH DIGITAL ACCESS.
THAT'S WHY THE WORK THAT G OS RECIPIENTS ARE DOING IS SO IMPORTANT.
THEY'RE HELPING TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES AND ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE CAN COMPETE IN A WORLD THAT IS BECOMING INCREASING, THAT HAS BECOME, LET'S JUST DROP THE ING THAT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIGITAL AND TECH FORWARD.
AND WE CAN SEE THE IMPACT OF THAT WORK EVEN IN DISTRICT ONE, ESPECIALLY MAYBE IN DISTRICT ONE.
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE AUSTIN FREENET AND ART SPARK ARE HELPING TO LOWER THE BARRIERS BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THE TECHNOLOGY CREATIVE PROGRAMMING AND SUPPORT.
THEY NEED TO LEARN, CREATE, CONNECT, CONNECT AND INNOVATE.
THAT'S WHAT DIGITAL INCLUSION ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE.
MAKING SURE THAT WHERE YOU LIVE OR WHAT RECESS RESOURCES YOU START WITH DOESN'T DETERMINE WHETHER YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AUSTIN'S DIGITAL AND CREATIVE FUTURE.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO CLOSING THIS GI THIS DIGITAL GAP AND PROGRAMS LIKE G OS OR A GREAT BIG PART OF THAT EFFORT.
NOW I'M HAPPY TO INTRODUCE ANN EDEN, UH, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOP DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
SHE'S GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW THE CITY IS WORKING ON DIGITAL INCLUSION
[00:35:01]
AND HOW IT FITS IN WITH OUR GOALS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH.I'M EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THIS PROCLAMATION CEREMONY, HONORING THE 2025 VISIONARY DIGITAL INCLUSION TRAILBLAZER AWARD.
YOU'RE RIGHT, THAT'S A TONGUE TWISTER.
THESE EFFORTS ARE MORE THAN JUST INTERNET ACCESS AS THE COUNCILMAN, UH, REALLY EMPHASIZE IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE IN AUSTIN HAS THE TOOLS AND THE SKILLS TO THRIVE.
OUR DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS PROGRAMS LIKE G OS THAT BOOST WORKFORCE SKILLS AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH DIGITAL ACCESS AND LITERACY.
THIS YEAR'S G OS AWARDEES ARE DOING GREAT WORK TO MAKE DIGITAL TOOLS AND WORKFORCE TRAINING AVAILABLE TO MORE PEOPLE, WHICH HELPS DRIVE THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
UM, NOT ONLY OUT IN DISTRICT ONE, BUT ACROSS THIS GREAT CITY.
WE ARE SO PROUD TO MAKE THE, UH, TO BACK THESE EFFORTS BECAUSE DIGITAL INCLUSION ISN'T JUST ABOUT TODAY.
IT'S ABOUT BUILDING A STRONGER, MORE EQUITABLE AUSTIN FOR THE FUTURE.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REALLY THANK THE TEAM THAT LEADS THESE EFFORTS.
UM, JESSE RODRIGUEZ, DAN MARTINEZ, UM, TON HARMON AND ALSO ELLIE CABRERA, WHO'S NOT HERE, BUT IT'S YES, GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
UM, I ALSO GET THE GREAT PRIVILEGE AND THANK WANNA THANK THE TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION FOR THEIR EFFORTS BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY ENGAGED WITH THIS WORK.
THEY'RE STRONG ADVOCATES FOR THIS WORK.
AND OUR DEPARTMENT REALLY APPRECIATES THAT COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE COMMISSION TO CONTINUE TO, UM, ADVOCATE FOR SUPPORT OF, OF THIS PROGRAM.
AND SO NOW I'LL HAND IT OVER TO CHAIR, AKA UM, AND AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR WORKING.
I ALSO JUST WANNA TAKE A MOMENT.
WE'D BE REMISS TO REALLY NOT GIVE ALL THE PRAISE TO COUNCILMAN HARPER MADISON, WHY DID I DO THIS? BECAUSE EIGHT YEARS, UM, YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE ON, AND IT'S NOT IN JUST JUST DISTRICT ONE, IT'S REALLY WHAT THE CITY.
SO I JUST, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN.
SO I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE YOU PROUD AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU KEEP HOLDING US ACCOUNTABLE, NOT ONLY IN DISTRICT ONE, BUT ACROSS THE CITY.
MY NAME IS STEVEN AKA AND I'M CHAIR OF THE TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION.
IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND HONOR THIS YEAR'S GTOP.
SO AWARDEES, UH, ALL OF YOUR DEDICATION TO DIGITAL INCLUSION AND EDUCATION IS MORE VALUABLE THAN EVER IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, I WOULD JUST WANNA TAKE A A FEW MOMENTS AND SHARE SOME REALLY IMPRESSIVE DATA BECAUSE DATA QUANTITATIVE METRICS, THESE THINGS MATTER WHEN WE'RE MEASURING THE IMPACT OF OF GT OS AND DIGITAL EQUITY.
SINCE THIS, IN, IN INCEPTION, GT OS MINI PATHWAY HAS AWARDED 33 GRANTS TO 17 UNIQUE ORGANIZATIONS TOTALLING OVER $300,000.
THE G OS CAPACITY PATHWAY HAS PROVIDED 97 GRANTS TO 44 UNIQUE ORGANIZATIONS WITH A TOTAL FUNDING OF OVER 200,000 AND GTOP S CORE SINCE 2001, OUR, OUR LONGEST RUNNING PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED 239 GRANTS TO OVER 180 UNIQUE ORGANIZATIONS WITH A TOTAL FUNDING OF OVER $4 MILLION.
THESE FIGURES REPRESENT MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS, MORE THAN JUST LINE ITEMS ON, UH, COUNCIL'S BUDGET.
AND I THINK COUNCILWOMAN HARPER MADISON UNDERSTANDS THAT AS DO MANY OF THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S ADVOCACY, UM, AND, AND, AND ENHANCEMENT OF THESE PROGRAMS AS, UH, AS THE BUDGET OCCURRED.
BUT THEY REALLY REFLECT LIVES CHANGED, OPPORTUNITIES, CREATED AND FUTURES TRANSFORMED.
THE WORKS OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING EVERY AUSTIN RESIDENT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN OUR DIGITAL SOCIETY.
SO THANK YOU TO EACH OF THE AWARDEES FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND ADVANCING DIGITAL EQUITY.
I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO, UH, THE REST OF, UH, THE, THE COUNCIL.
UH, SO NOT ONLY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, BUT COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ WHO'VE, UH, BEEN CONSISTENT PARTNERS, UH, IN THIS WORK.
AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR EATON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, UH, AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE GTOP S PROGRAM.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, TO, UH, TO READ THE TODAY'S PROCLAMATION.
I APPRECIATE IT AND THE WORK YOU DO.
AND WITH THAT, I GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO BOTH PRESENT YOU WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENT AND READ ITS CONTENTS.
[00:40:01]
OH, THINGS FALL DOWN WASN'T IN THERE.IT WAS LIKE A
AND WHEREAS DIGITAL EQUITY IS NECESSARY FOR CIVIC EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION, ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH SERVICES AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
AND WHEREAS THROUGH THE DILIGENT WORK OF DIGITAL EQUITY COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND G OS RECIPIENTS, THE DIGITAL DIVIDE HAS BEEN NARROWED BY ENSURING ACCESS TO NECESSARY TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND DIGITAL LITERACY, THEREBY EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY OF AUSTIN TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR SOCIETY.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY REMAINS COMMITTED TO KEEP THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE GREAT NEED THAT STILL EXISTS TO FIND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO HELP OVERCOME THE PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS THAT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS FACE TO REACH DIGITAL EQUITY ON A REGIONAL LEVEL.
AND WHEREAS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR COMMENDABLE WORK THAT THIS COHORT HAS MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR CITY CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO A MORE EQUITABLE DIGITAL FUTURE FOR ALL AUSTINITES.
NOW THEREFORE, I COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA HARPER MADISON, ALONGSIDE OUR MAYOR, KIRK WATSON AND THE REMAINDER OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 27TH, 2026 AS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK RECOGNITION DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
CONGRATULATIONS EVERYBODY, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
DO YOU WANT US IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM OR SOME IN FRONT? SOME.
[Proclamations – Austin Military 4-Star Employer Day - To be presented by Council Member Paige Ellis]
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.I'M AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER PAIGE ELLIS.
AND IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO WELCOME THE CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES HERE WITH ME TO CELEBRATE OUR FOUR STAR EMPLOYER RATING FROM VETS INDEXES.
THIS DESIGNATION MEASURES HOW SERIOUSLY AN EMPLOYER TAKES HIRING, RETAINING, AND SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS.
IT REFLECTS THE HARD WORK OF OUR TEAM HERE AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND CELEBRATES THEIR COMMITMENT TO LOOKING OUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOOKED OUT FOR US.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE HARD WORK FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO HERE EACH AND EVERY DAY.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE VETERANS WHO ARE HERE TODAY AND WHO WORK IN NEARLY EVERY CORNER OF THIS ORGANIZATION.
YOU KNOW HOW TO THRIVE IN MISSION-DRIVEN ENVIRONMENTS, WORK UNDER PRESSURE, AND BE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOUR TEAMS AND TO THE PUBLIC YOU SERVE.
AND I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL YOU'RE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION AND PROUD TO CALL YOU ALL COLLEAGUES AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
SO I WILL NOW PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S ONGOING WORKFORCE INITIATIVES AND EFFORTS TO CREATE PATHWAYS FOR VETERANS TO THRIVE IN CIVILIAN CAREERS, PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MEMBERS, AND ENSURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO STABLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND VARIOUS VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS ON MILITARY TRANSITION PROGRAMS AIMED AT ASSISTING VETERANS THRIVE IN THE PUBLIC SEC SECTOR.
AND WHEREAS IN 2026, THE CITY OF AUSTIN WAS HONORED TO RECEIVE A FOUR STAR EMPLOYER RATING FROM VETS INDEXES, RECOGNIZING THE CITY'S CONTINUED AN UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO THE WELLBEING, ADVANCEMENT, AND SUPPORT OF VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 27TH, 2026, AS AUSTIN MILITARY FOUR STAR EMPLOYER DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
IF WE WANNA MOVE IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM.