[Proclamation – Austin Galano Club Day – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela]
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I AM MAYOR PRO TEM CHITO VELA HERE TODAY TO HONOR THE AUSTIN GUANO CLUB.
UH, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF, UH, VISITING THE AUSTIN, UH, GUANO CLUB ALONG WITH MY STAFF, OH GOD, A FEW MONTHS BACK NOW,
UH, AND, UH, IT WAS, UH, IT, IT WAS A, A GREAT VISIT AND LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, UH, RESOURCE, UH, THAT, THAT THE, THE, THEY OFFER, YOU KNOW, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, UH, ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ADDICTION IS, UH, ONE OF THE, THE MAJOR ISSUES IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY.
AND, UH, WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET SOBER, UH, THEY NEED HELP.
THEY NEED SUPPORT, UH, THEY NEED A COMMUNITY TO HELP THEM TALK THROUGH IT, WORK THROUGH IT, UH, AND MAINTAIN THEIR SOBRIETY.
AND THAT IS WHAT THE AUSTIN, UH, GUANO CLUB, UH, PROVIDES.
UH, IT IS, THIS IS NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH, THIS SEPTEMBER, AND SO WE'RE HONORING THE, UH, AUSTIN GUANO CLUB.
IT'S A UNIQUE AND VITAL NICHE IN AUSTIN'S RECOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE.
UH, THE GUANO CLUB CLUB SERVES THE, UH, LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY.
SO IT'S A PLACE WHERE, UH, PEOPLE, UH, UH, WITH COMMON INTERESTS, COMMON BACKGROUND, CAN COME TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THEIR CHALLENGES IN A SUPPORTIVE MANNER.
AND, AND, AND WITH OTHER FOLKS THAT UNDERSTAND WHO THEY ARE, THAT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, UH, AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON, UH, FOR YEARS, THEY'VE PROVIDED A WELCOMING SPACE, UH, WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER, SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, AND FIND CONNECTION THROUGH RECOVERY.
UH, THE CLUB OFFERS, UM, MORE THAN 40 MEETINGS EVERY WEEK AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY A THOUSAND PEOPLE, MAKING IT, UH, AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR RECOVERY COMMUNITY HERE IN AUSTIN.
AND, UH, IMPORTANTLY, IT IS IN MY COUNCIL DISTRICT, UH, VERY CLOSE TO THE CORNER OF, UH, GUADALUPE AND, UH, AIRPORT IN THE, KIND OF THE HIGHLAND, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOR YEARS, UH, AND ARE REALLY JUST, UH, AN IMPORTANT PART OF, UH, OF THE, OF THE COMMUNITY THERE.
THANKS TO THE ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS, THE MEETING LEADERS, THE MEMBERS, AND EVERYONE WHO CONTINUES TO MAKE THE GUANO CLUB A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SHOW UP EXACTLY AS THEY ARE AND FIND A COMMUNITY WHO BELIEVES IN THEM.
UH, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WANNA RECOGNIZE, UH, THE PEOPLE WALKING THE PATH OF RECOVERY.
UH, I HAVE, UH, MANY, UH, FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT HAVE BEEN THERE, UH, MY A LAW PARTNER FOR, FOR MANY YEARS, AND HER HUSBAND, UH, UH, WERE BOTH, UH, RECOVERING, UH, ALCOHOLICS.
UH, AND I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT RECOVERY, HONESTLY, THROUGH THEM, THROUGH TALKING WITH THEM, THROUGH JUST THEM TELLING ME ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE.
UH, AND THEN DURING NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH, AGAIN, WE JUST WANNA CELEBRATE THE COURAGE AND REMIND OUR COMMUNITY THAT RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE, AND NO ONE HAS TO WALK THAT PATH ALONE.
AND NOW LET, IT'S MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE THE FOUNDER OF THE AUSTIN GUANO CLUB, UH, JOHN FLOYD.
JOHN, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
UH, WE ARE REALLY HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO GET TO BE HERE TODAY.
WE, A BUNCH OF US CAME TOGETHER 16 YEARS AGO, UM, WITH A VISION OF PROVIDING SPACE FOR ONE OF OUR 12 STEP GROUPS, AND IT GREW INTO SOMETHING THAT WE JUST REALLY COULDN'T HAVE IMAGINED.
UH, SO 14 YEARS AFTER WE'VE OPENED THE DOORS, UH, AS MR. BAYLA WOULD SAY, WE'VE GOT, I THINK, 28 GROUPS, UH, HAVING OVER, UH, 40 MEETINGS A WEEK, AND IT'S JUST AFFECTING SO MANY LIVES EVERY DAY.
AND IT'S SUCH A REALLY GREAT RESOURCE FOR AUSTIN.
WE'RE GRATEFUL, UH, TO THE CITY, UH, TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT, UH, HAVE DONATED AND CONTINUE TO, UH, HELP ALANO BE, UH, SUSTAINABLE AND, UH, REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS RECOGNITION TODAY.
UH, WELL, UH, THANK YOU AND, AND THANK Y'ALL FOR, FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
UH, LIKE I SAID, IT'S NOT JUST, IT'S NOT JUST GETTING SOBER, IT'S STAYING SOBER, UH, AND YOU GOTTA HAVE COMMUNITY AND YOU GOTTA HAVE SUPPORT.
THAT'S WHAT I HONESTLY LEARNED FROM, YOU KNOW, JENNIFER AND ANDREW, UH, SOME MUTUAL FRIENDS OF OURS WHO ARE SUPPORTERS AND FANS OF THE GALANO CLUB.
UH, AND, AND YOU, YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE COMMUNITY FOR THAT.
YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE SUPPORT FOR THAT.
AND, UH, UH, WHEN, WHEN YOU HAVE A, IT'S SO SPECIAL, HONESTLY, IN AUSTIN TO HAVE AN LGBTQI PLUS, UH, RECOVERY CENTER LIKE THE AUSTIN GUANO CLUB.
AND WITH THAT, LET ME GO AHEAD AND, UH, READ THE, UH, PROCLAMATION AND, UH, HONOR THE AUSTIN GUANO CLUB FOR 16 YEARS OF, UH, OF, UH, OF MEETINGS AND RECOVERY AND, AND OF, OF HEALTHY SOBER PEOPLE, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE AUSTIN GUANO CLUB WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2010 TO CREATE A HOME IN AUSTIN FOR RECOVERING LGBTQIA PLUS PERSONS AND THEIR ALLIES, PROVIDING A SAFE AND AFFORDABLE PLACE TO GATHER FOR MULTIPLE 12 STEP FELLOWSHIPS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.
AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN ANO CLUB OFFICIALLY OPENED ON SUNDAY, JULY 1ST, 2012, WITH
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ITS FIRST ONSITE 12 STEP MEETING.AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN ANO CLUB CURRENTLY HOSTS MORE THAN 43 WEEKLY MEETINGS, REPRESENTING 28 RECOVERY GROUPS FROM 14 DIFFERENT FELLOWSHIPS, AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY 1000 PEOPLE EACH WEEK.
AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN GUANO CLUB THROUGH ITS ENDURING COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND SERVICE STANDS AS A VITAL RECOVERY RESOURCE FOR THE AUSTIN, UH, COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VELA MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ALONG WITH MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2026 AS AUSTIN GUANO CLUB DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
CON CONGRATULATIONS TO Y'ALL FOR THE, THE, THE PROCLAMATION AND JUST FOR ALL THE GOOD WORK, UH, THAT YOU DO, UH, JUST KEEP IT UP AND, AND WE WILL BE HERE TO, TO SUPPORT Y'ALL.
YEAH, THIS, UH, LEMME GET A, UH, ONE OF THE PROCLAMATIONS.
[Proclamation – National Preparedness Month – To be presented by Council Member Marc Duchen]
GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.I'M THE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR COUNCIL OF DISTRICT 10 IN AUSTIN, AND I'VE STOOD IN THIS ROOM AND HELPED WITH A FEW PROCLAMATIONS OVER THE LAST YEAR, BUT I THINK TODAY'S IS ONE OF THE MORE IMPORTANT AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, IT'S OUR DUTY TO MAKE SURE THAT AUSTINITES PREPARED FOR EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY CRISES AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.
AND SO I'M PROUD TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY IN PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH.
MY TEAM AND I RESPOND TO LARGE SCALE EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING THE ONE THAT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER I TOOK OFFICE LAST YEAR, WHEN TORNADO FORCE WINDS TORE THROUGH NORTHWEST AUSTIN AND LEFT HUNDREDS OF FOLKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT POWER FOR DAYS.
AND THESE WERE CONSTITUENTS AND THE CHALLENGE THEY FACED WERE SIGNIFICANT, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT WERE OLDER ADULTS, AND PARTICULARLY THE OLDER ADULTS THAT HAD MEDICAL CHALLENGES.
MANY WERE HOMEBOUND OR SOCIALLY ISOLATED OR HAD CAREGIVERS THAT WERE UNABLE TO REACH THEM DURING THIS TIME.
AND THAT'S WHY I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION OF AGING AND ONE OF ITS LONGTIME MEMBERS JOINING US TODAY, FRED LU, HIS WORK AND THE COMMISSION'S WORK ENSURES THAT OLDER RESIDENTS PUT TOGETHER EMERGENCY KITS, THAT THEY SET UP CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR EMERGENCIES WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS AND WITH THEIR RELATIVES.
THEY TAKE OTHER RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS THAT HELP US WEATHER AND OVERCOME EMERGENCIES.
AND THAT PLAN FOLLOWS NEATLY WITH THE THREE FEDERAL KEY STATE AND LOCAL PREPAREDNESS RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH ARE FIRST TO BE IN THE KNOW, WHICH IS A SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS, INCLUDING OUR OWN LOCAL ALERT, WHICH IS WARN CENTRAL TEXAS.ORG.
SECOND IS TO MAKE A PLAN SO YOUR FAMILY CAN BE SAFE.
AND THAT MEANS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL KINDS OF FACTORS, INCLUDING AGE, HEALTH, AND DIETARY NEEDS, PETS, AND SO ON.
AND FINALLY, IT'S TO BUILD A KIT THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE WATER, FOOD, MEDICINE, AND ALSO ESSENTIALS LIKE FLASHLIGHTS AND FIRST AID KIDS.
OUR COUNCIL'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.
AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE CRITICAL WORK THAT'S BEING DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARED FOR WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS.
AND WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO ASK FRED TO SAY A FEW WORDS AND THEN JUMP INTO THE PROCLAMATION.
ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN COMMISSION ON AGING, THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER D UCHIN, AND TO MAYOR WATSON, THE CITY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH.
THE COMMISSION WAS PLEASED TO RECOMMEND THIS PROCLAMATION BECAUSE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, CAREGIVERS, AND OTHERS WHO MAY NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT DURING AN EMERGENCY.
AUSTIN'S AUSTIN'S RECENT QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY FOR OLDER ADULTS FOUND THAT 38% OF OLDER ADULTS LIVE ALONE.
AND IT ALSO IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES IN HOW SOME OLDER ADULTS RECEIVE INFORMATION.
THOSE FINDINGS REMIND US THAT PREPAREDNESS ISN'T JUST ABOUT HAVING A PLAN AND SUPPLIES, IT'S ALSO ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN GET RELIABLE INFORMATION, KNOW WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP, AND HAVE NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITIES LOOKING OUT FOR ONE
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ANOTHER.THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN, MAYOR WATSON, AND THE CITY FOR HELPING BRING ATTENTION TO THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION.
THIS IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE AUSTIN QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY FOR OLDER ADULTS FOUND A RESIDENCE EXPERIENCE, CONSISTENT FRUSTRATION WITH DISASTER PLANNING AND SAFETY.
AND WHEREAS EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS CAN HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT IN OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, CAREGIVERS, AND OTHERS WITH ACCESS OR FUNCTIONAL NEEDS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO MAY FACE MOBILITY, MEDICAL, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION, OR SOCIAL ISOLATION CHALLENGES.
AND WHEREAS PREPAREDNESS, PLANNING, ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS ARE ESSENTIAL TO PROTECTING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF VULNERABLE RESIDENTS DURING EMERGENCIES.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO CREATE EMERGENCY PLANS, MAINTAIN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KITS, AND STAY INFORMED ABOUT LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES.
AND WHEREAS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, NEIGHBOR SUPPORT, AND COORDINATED EMERGENCY PLANNING TO HELP ENSURE NO RESIDENT IS LEFT BEHIND DURING TIMES OF CRISIS.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSION OF AGING OCCURS AS RESIDENTS, CAREGIVERS, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, PLANNING, ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE EFFORTS THAT HELP PROTECT OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH ACCESS AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS DURING EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS.
NOW THEREFORE, I'M MARK UCHIN ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF BOSTON, THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S COUNCIL TO HEAR YOUR CLAIM.
SEPTEMBER, 2026 AS NATIONAL PREPARED THIS MONTH IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN CLAP.
AND NOW WE'RE GONNA JUMP OVER IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM AND TAKE A COUPLE PHOTOS AND WE'RE GONNA BE ON OUR WAY.
[Proclamation – HAAM Music Festival Day – To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes]
GOOD MORNING, Y'ALL.I'M VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN, REPRESENTING DISTRICT TWO.
AND I AM HERE BECAUSE IN JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS, WE WILL BE CELEBRATING ONE OF AUSTIN'S MOST JOYFUL, FUN AND IMPACTFUL EVENTS.
AND I, FOR ONE, CANNOT WAIT HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN MUSICIANS A DAY, ALSO KNOWN AS HAM DAY, CAPTURES A TRUE, AUTHENTIC AND QUINTESSENTIAL AUSTIN VIBE.
IT BRINGS TOGETHER HUNDREDS OF LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES ALL ACROSS OUR CITY, AT OUR VENUES, AT OUR PARKS, AT OUR RESTAURANTS, AT OUR SHOPS AND PUBLIC SPACES, ALL TO SUPPORT ONE MISSION.
AND THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT AUSTIN'S MU MUSICIANS HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE HEALTH, HIGH QUALITY HEALTHCARE THAT THEY DESERVE.
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 22ND.
WITH THAT IS NOW MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION TO PAUL SCOTT, CEO OF HAM HERE, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS AUSTIN IS THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, WHERE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY GENERATES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND SUPPORTS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO THE CITY'S UNIQUE CULTURE AND IDENTITY.
WHEREAS THAT HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN, MUSICIANS KNOWN AS HAM, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2005 BY THE LATE ROBIN SHIVERS, SHIVERS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR AUSTIN'S WORKING MUSICIANS, INCLUDING DENTAL, VISION, WELLNESS, AND PREVENTION SERVICES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNATTAINABLE FOR MANY OF OUR CITY'S TALENTED ARTISTS.
WHEREAS HAM ALSO SERVES THOUSANDS OF CENTRAL TEXAS MUSICIANS OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES PROVIDING ACCESS TO $215 MILLION WORTH OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES THROUGH PROVIDER AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
AND WHEREAS SUPPORTING AN ORGANIZATION LIKE HAM HELP FOSTER AND NURTURES AUSTIN'S UNIQUE CREATIVE APPEAL, AND WHEREAS SEPTEMBER, THEY SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC MONTH IN AUSTIN AND HAM DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 22ND SERVES A SIGNATURE CELEBRATION, BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO SUPPORT LOCAL MUSICIANS.
AND WHEREAS HAM DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL IS THE LARGEST ONE DAY ALL LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND, AND IT'S AN AWARD-WINNING COMMUNITY-WIDE EXPERIENCE FOR CENTRAL TEXANS FOR MORE THAN TO ENJOY MORE THAN 200 CURATED
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PERFORMANCES.NOW THEREFORE, I COUNCILMAN VANESSA FUENTES ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, TO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2026 AS HAM MUSIC FESTIVAL DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILMAN PER FUENTES ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UM, OUR STAFF, AND OF COURSE ALL OF THE, UM, 3000 PLUS MUSICIANS, DJS AND MUSIC TEACHERS THAT HAM SERVES ANNUALLY.
UH, WE THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS PROCLAMATION FOR HAM DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL, AS WELL AS DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER AS LOCAL MUSIC MONTH.
UH, WE KNOW THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE A HEALTHY MUSIC COMMUNITY AS PART OF OUR, UM, INCOME AND, UM, THE, UM, THE STATUS OF KIND OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE HEALTHY MUSICIANS AND THAT'S WHAT HAM DOES.
AND SO WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT OUR MUSICIANS HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND PREVENTION SERVICES TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RETAIN THIS ENORMOUS AND INCREDIBLE VIBRANT MUSIC SCENE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN AUSTIN AS WELL.
AND I DO WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL APPRECIATION FOR COORDINATING THIS HAND DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR TO LEILANI PERRY, WHO HAS JUST BEEN SENSATIONAL AND EXPANDING, UM, THIS EVENT OVER THE YEARS TO NOW TRULY BEING ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL.
AND SO WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.
AND SO WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PLEASE GO OUT AND FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ENJOY MUSIC AND ENJOY THE SUPPORTERS THAT SUPPORT OUR MUSICIANS AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC GO OUT ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND.
YOU CAN FIND OUT WHERE@MYHAM.ORG.
AND YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD AN APP THIS YEAR.
AND SO YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR PHONE AND YOU CAN, UM, GO EAT, GO SHOP, AND GO LISTEN TO GREAT MUSIC AND KNOW THAT YOU'RE SUPPORTING THIS INCREDIBLE CULTURE OF MUSIC THAT AUSTIN IS BASED ON.
WE'LL JUST DO A LITTLE PHOTO OP RIGHT HERE AND THEN WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
[Proclamation – Ukrainian Heritage Month – To be presented by Council Member Krista Laine]
EVERYONE.I AM NOT CRYSTAL LANE, BUT I AM COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER HERE TO, UH, PRESENT A REALLY EXCITING PROCLAMATION TODAY, AND ONE THAT, UH, REALLY DOES ACTUALLY MEAN SOMETHING SPECIAL TO, TO ME AND MY FAMILY.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, BUT MY GREAT GRANDFATHER IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES FROM UKRAINE.
UM, AND SO OUR FAMILY AND OUR FAMILY EXPERIENCE, UH, IS TIED TO UKRAINE AND, AND TO, UM, YOU KNOW, THAT, THAT PART OF THE WORLD.
AND SO IT REALLY IS A, A SPECIAL DAY TO, TO GET TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION.
UM, WE ARE JOINED HERE TODAY, AND I'M GONNA DO MY BEST TO GET THROUGH THESE NAMES, SO BEAR WITH ME.
UH, NATALIA VOL, YOU TOLD ME, RIGHT? VOLK, YES.
FROM THE LIBERTY UKRAINE FOUNDATION, NATALIA RICCO FROM THE UKRAINIAN SCHOOL OF AUSTIN, AND KATE VVA OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL WOMEN'S LEAGUE OF AMERICA BRANCH 1 47.
AND IT REALLY IS GREAT TO HAVE ALL OF YOU HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE HERITAGE OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE.
IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN OUT TO WINDY POINT PARK IN GEORGETOWN OR GEORGETOWN FOR THE UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T JUST TALK ABOUT ITS CULTURE, IT SHARES IT WITH BORSCHT COOKED OVER AN OPEN FIRE, HANDMADE CRAFTS FROM LOCAL ARTISTS AND MUSIC THAT FILLS THE WHOLE PARK ALONG WITH BEING FUN CELEBRATIONS.
THE FESTIVALS ALSO HELPED FUND THE REBUILDING OF A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BACK IN AVIV AND GENERATORS AND MOBILE POWER STATIONS TO HELP KEEP UKRAINIANS WARM IN THE WINTER.
AND THAT JUST TELLS YOU SOMETHING ABOUT HOW THE COMMUNITY OPERATES JOY AND GENEROSITY SIDE BY SIDE.
I THINK ABOUT NATALIA AND THE UKRAINIAN SCHOOL OF AUSTIN WHERE EVERY SUNDAY SOMETHING LIKE A HUNDRED KIDS SHOWS UP TO LEARN THE UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE, ART, SINGING, HISTORY.
AND THE GOAL ISN'T TO DWELL ON THE WAR THAT WE ALL KNOW CONTINUES TO RAVAGE ON.
IT'S TO GIVE THE KIDS A PLACE THAT FEELS NORMAL, HAPPY, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING THAT IS OFTEN ANYTIME.
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AND THAT'S NOT A SMALL THING, YOU KNOW, IT'S A TRUE GIFT THAT THESE FAMILIES ARE GIVING TO THEIR CHILDREN WEEK AFTER WEEK.AND THEN THERE'S THE SHEER SCALE OF WHAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS MOBILIZED.
THE LIBERTY UKRAINE FOUNDATION ALONE HAS RUN CAMPAIGNS THAT RAISED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE MATTER OF DAYS AND TOTALING OVER $21 MILLION FUNDING GENERATORS AND EQUIPMENT TO HELP UKRAINIAN FAMILIES GET THROUGH THE WINTER SUPPORTING EVACUATION.
ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S WHERE ROUND OF APPLAUSE WORTHY SUPPORTING EVACUATION VEHICLES AND SENDING KIDS WHO LOST PARENTS IN THE WAR TO SUMMER CAMP AMONG MANY OTHER HUMANITARIAN NEEDS.
AND LASTLY, BRANCH 1 47 OF THE U-N-W-L-A HAS MADE SURE AUSTIN DOESN'T JUST HELP FROM A DISTANCE.
THEY'VE STOOD ON THE CAPITOL STEPS TO REMEMBER UKRAINE'S HISTORY, AND THEY FOUND WAYS DOWN TO PRESERVING THE EMBROIDERY PATTERNS FAMILIES CARRIED WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT HERITAGE ISN'T LOST.
SO THAT'S WHAT I WANNA HOLD ON US TO HOLD ONTO TODAY.
NOT JUST PRIDE IN UKRAINIAN HERITAGE, THOUGH THERE'S PLENTY TO BE PROUD OF, BUT GENUINE GRATITUDE FOR A COMMUNITY THAT'S SHOWN AUSTIN, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO TURN GRIEF INTO ACTION AND TRADITION INTO STRENGTH.
SO NOW THE REALLY FUN PART, WE GET TO ISSUE OUR FORMAL PROCLAMATION.
I HAVE THREE HERE, SO LET ME JUST HAND SOME OF THESE OUT TO HOLD AND DISPLAY WHILE WE READ IT.
SO WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS HOME TO A VIBRANT UKRAINIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY WHERE MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE CULTURAL, CIVIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND ED ECONOMIC WAY OF LIFE, WHEREAS UKRAINIAN HERITAGE IS ROOTED IN CENTURIES OF RICH TRADITION, INCLUDING LANGUAGE, MUSIC, DANCE, LITERATURE, ART, FAITH, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL IDENTITY.
AND WHEREAS UKRAINIAN HERITAGE MONTH PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND ENDURING SPIRIT OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE, WHILE RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF UKRAINIAN AMERICANS TO THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF AUSTIN AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS UKRAINIAN AMERICANS HAVE HELPED STRENGTHEN AUSTIN THROUGH VOLUNTEERSHIP, VOLUNTEERISM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, PUBLIC SERVICE, CULTURAL EXCHANGE, AND EXTRAORDINARY HUMANA, HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS THAT HAVE UNITED NEIGHBORS IN SUPPORT OF FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY ONGOING HARDSHIP.
AND WHEREAS AUSTIN BASED ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING LIBERTY, UKRAINE FOUNDATION, U-N-W-L-A, BRANCH 1 47 AND UKRAINIAN SCHOOL OF AUSTIN, TOGETHER WITH COUNTLESS VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS HAVE MOBILIZED MORE THAN $20 MILLION IN HUMANITARIAN AID, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER CRITICAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATING THE POWER OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL HUMAN HUMANITARIAN IMPACT.
AND WHEREAS UKRAINIAN HERITAGE MONTH IS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY TO CELEBRATE THE RICH TRADITIONS, HISTORY AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE, BUT ALSO TO RECOGNIZE THE RESILIENCE WITH WHICH YOU, THE UKRAINIAN HERITAGE CONTINUES TO BE PRESERVED AND SHARED DESPITE EXTRAORDINARY ADVERSITY.
SO NOW THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER, 2026 TO BE UKRAINIAN HERITAGE MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND WITH THAT, I AM DONE TALKING.
I WILL TURN THE MIC OVER TO NATALIA NATALIA TWO SHOULD JUST SHOULD'VE JUST GONE WITH A, A TWO OUTTA THREE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY.
TODAY, UH, STAYING HERE TODAY IS VERY PERSONAL TO ME.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN UKRAINE AND LIKE SO MANY UKRAINIANS WHO NOW CALL AUSTIN HOME, UH, WE CALL, UH, WE CALL AUSTIN HOME, BUT WE CARRY UKRAINE WITH US EVERY DAY.
WE CARRY, UH, WE CARRY IT IN THE, IN THE NEWS THAT WE WAKE UP TO EVERY DAY.
WE CARRY IT, UH, WITH DAILY CHECK-INS WITH OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND IN THE COMMUNITY AROUND, AROUND US AND THE, IN THE CHOICES WE MAKE EVERY DAY, UH, HOW WE CHOOSE TO ACT.
SO STANDING HERE IN AUSTIN AND HOW OUR CITY OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED UKRAINIAN HERITAGE MONTHS MEANS THE WORLD TO US.
THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER LANE AND REPRESENTATIVE
HERITAGE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S IN, UM, MUSEUMS OR IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.
IT'S BEING, UH, FOUGHT FOR EVERY DAY.
IT LIVES IN THE COMMUNITIES WE BUILT WHEREVER LIFE STAKE US.
AND TODAY, PRESERVING THAT HERITAGE IS SOMETHING, UM, THAT HAS, UH, ANOTHER LAYER TO IT.
FOR THE PAST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS,
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UKRAINIANS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING NOT ONLY FOR THEIR LIVES, FOR THEIR HOMES, BUT JUST FOR THE RIGHT TO REMAIN UKRAINIANS, TO SPEAK OUR LANGUAGE, PRESERVE OUR CULTURE, TELL OUR OWN HISTORY, AND PASS IT TO OUR NEXT GENERATION.UKRAINE IS LIVING THROUGH A VERY BRUTAL, A VERY REAL WAR, BUT UKRAINE IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE.
IT'S IN THE PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO GIVE UP AND IN THE EVERYTHING THEY REFUSE TO LET DISAPPEAR.
HERE IN AUSTIN, OUR COMMUNITY HAS ANSWERED THESE CHALLENGES, CHALLENGES IN A VERY EXTRAORDINARY WAY.
WE DO GATHER, WE CREATE, WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN UKRAINIAN, WE SHARE OUR CULTURE WITH OUR TEXAS NEIGHBORS, AND WE TURN THAT LOVE TO UKRAINE INTO ACTION.
AT LIBERTY UKRAINE FOUNDATION, AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS BORN HERE, UH, IN AUSTIN AND WE PROUDLY THAT WE PROUDLY, UH, CALL HOME, THAT ACTION HAS GROWN INTO MORE THAN 21 MILLION, UH, RAISED TO PROVIDE CRITICAL AID ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE.
AND BEHIND THAT NUMBER ARE PEOPLE, OUR DEAR VOLUNTEERS, OUR DONORS, BUSINESSES, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
MANY ARE TEXANS THAT ARE, HAVE NO UKRAINIAN, UH, ROOTS AT ALL, BUT THEY SIMPLY DECIDED THAT FIGHTING FOR WHAT'S RIGHT IS WHAT MATTERS.
AND THAT IS WHY TODAY'S RECOGNITION MEANS SO MUCH TO US.
IT SAYS THAT UKRAINIAN CULTURE HAS A HOME HERE, THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SEEN AND THE THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY FROM UKRAINE.
THERE IS A CITY HAS THAT MADE ROOMS FOR OUR TRADITIONS, OUR STORIES, AND OUR PEOPLE.
ON BEHALF OF LIBERTY, UKRAINE FOUNDATION AND OUR VOLUNTEERS, THANK YOU AUSTIN FOR STANDING WITH UKRAINE.
AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING US KEEP UKRAINIAN HERITAGE ALIVE, VISIBLE, AND STRONG.
DE SHALL WE GATHER FOR A PICTURE OR YOU HAVE SOME TO SIT TOO? YES.
MY NAME IS NATALIA AVCO AND I'M THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF A TKX UKRAINIANS, THE ORGANIZATION BEHIND THE UKRAINIAN SCHOOL OF AUSTIN.
THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBERS CITY OF AUSTIN FOR RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS UKRAINIAN HERITAGE MONTH.
I WANT TO SHARE A STORY ABOUT HALF OUR SCHOOL TRULY CAME TO LIFE.
BACK IN 2016, I STARTED A VERY SIMPLE UKRAINIAN CLASS AT A LOCAL LIBRARY.
IT WAS JUST A SMALL GROUP OF KIDS MEETING ONCE A WEEK TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE IS STAY CONNECTED TO OTHER ROOTS.
BUT WHEN THE WAR BEGAN IN UKRAINE, EVERYTHING CHANGED OVERNIGHT.
FAMILIES BEGAN ARRIVING IN CENTRAL TEXAS AFTER FLEEING TERRIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THEY HAD LEFT BEHIND THEIR WHOLE LIVES, THEIR HOMES, CLASSROOMS, BACKGROUNDS, AND OFTEN THE FATHERS AND GRANDFATHERS.
WHEN THEY ARRIVED IN AUSTIN, MANY OF THESE YOUNG CHILDREN WERE STUCK AT HOME, UNABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH.
YET, WHILE THEIR PARENTS WORKED CONSTANTLY TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES, THESE KIDS WERE ALONE, CONFUSED, AND DEEPLY LONELY.
THEN MY PHONE STARTED DRINKING.
PARENTS WERE FINDING MY OLD CONTACT DETAILS ONLINE AND SENDING ME HEARTBROKEN MESSAGES.
IS THERE A UKRAINIAN SCHOOL IN AUSTIN? MY CHILD IS SITTING IN THEIR ROOM CRYING.
READING THIS MESSAGES BROKE MY HEART, BUT IT ALSO PUSHED ME TO ACT.
I KNEW WE COULDN'T JUST STAND BY.
I FOUND A SPACE, CREATED A SIMPLE SIGNUP FORM, AND PUT OUT A QUIET NOTICE THAT WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO START A SCHOOL.
I HOPED MAYBE 10 OR 15 FAMILIES WOULD SHOW UP.
WITHIN TWO WEEKS, MORE THAN 140 CHILDREN WERE REGISTERED.
I WILL NEVER FORGET LOOKING AT THAT LIST WITH TEARS IN MY EYES, SEEING THE REAL PAIN, NEED AND HOPE BEHIND EVERY SINGLE NAME.
WE MOVED AS FAST AS WE COULD TO BUILD A SAFE PLACE, AND WE DID NOT DO IT ALONE.
RIGHT WHEN I WAS SEARCHING FOR SPACE AND TRYING TO ORGANIZE EVERYTHING, SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL AUSTIN COMMUNITY STEPPED UP TO HELP US SET UP CLASSROOM, ORGANIZE MATERIALS, AND BRING THIS SCHOOL TO LIFE FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS IN A ROW NOW OUR AMERICAN NEIGHBORS, LOCAL GROUPS AND CITY PARTNERS HAVE OPENED THEIR HEARTS HELPING US MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR GROWING SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THAT SUPPORT.
THE UKRAINIAN SCHOOL OF AUSTIN IS A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN LEARN OUR LANGUAGE, HISTORY, MUSIC AND TRADITIONS, BUT FAR MORE THAN THAT.
IT IS A PLACE WHERE THEY HEAL.
IT IS A PLACE WHERE A CHILD WHO FELT COMPLETELY ALONE WALKS THROUGH THE DOORS AND IMMEDIATELY FINDS SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTAND THEIR STORY WITHOUT NEEDING A SINGLE EXPLANATION.
[00:30:01]
JUST HISTORY LESSONS OR SOMETHING IN A MUSEUM.IT IS A LIVING CONNECTION THAT WE PASS DOWN TO OUR CHILDREN TO TELL THEM WHO THEY ARE NO MATTER HOW FAR FROM HOME THEY MIGHT BE.
THAT IS WHY THIS PROCLAMATION TOUCHES OUR HEARTS SO DEEPLY.
IT MEANS SO MUCH TO US THAT YOU RECOGNIZE UKRAINIAN HERITAGE AND CELEBRATE OUR LOCAL UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY.
AUSTIN IS WHERE OUR CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP TODAY.
THEIR CITY IS WRAPPING ITS ARMS AROUND THEM AND SAYING, WE SEE YOU, YOUR LANGUAGE, YOUR CULTURE, AND YOUR STORY BELONG HERE WE ARE JOURNALISTS OF HAPPY TO LIVE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, SURROUNDED BY SUCH WONDERFUL AND INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TO OUR INCREDIBLE TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND VOLUNTEERS, AND TO THE GENEROUS AUSTIN COMMUNITY WHO HAS STOOD BY OUR SITE YEAR AFTER YEAR.
WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR UKRAINIAN HERITAGE AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO CALL AUSTIN OUR HOME.
HELLO, MY NAME IS DAR ADEMA AND I REPRESENT UKRAINIAN NATIONAL WOMEN'S LEAGUE OF AMERICA.
AND JUST A FEW WORDS TO CONCLUDE THIS WONDERFUL CEREMONY.
WE WANT TO SAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, ALL OF US HERE AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT HERE, HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
AND FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, IT MEANS A LOT MORE TO US THAN YOU PERHAPS MAY THINK.
THIS PROCLAMATION DOESN'T ONLY RECOGNIZE OUR COMMUNITY DOESN'T ONLY CHERISH UKRAINE IN ITS TRADITIONS.
IT SENDS A VERY STRONG MESSAGE TO THE WORLD, TO THE REST OF AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO PEOPLE IN UKRAINE.
WE STAND WITH YOU FOUR AND A HALF YEARS OF THIS BRUTAL WAR.
EVEN THOUGH WE LIVE UNDER PEACEFUL SKIES, WE WAKE UP AND WE DON'T GO THROUGH HORRIBLE THINGS THAT WAR BRINGS UPON PEOPLE, BUT WE STAND WITH THOSE WHO SHED THEIR BLOOD EVERY DAY FOR OUR SHARED VALUES.
SO THIS PROCLAMATION IS SO STRONG, IT'S A VERY STRONG SIGNAL TO THE REST OF THE WORLD AND OTHER STATES AND AND CITIES.
ONCE AGAIN, OUR ORGANIZATION IS FOCUSED ON, UH, EXPANDING CULTURAL, UM, TRADITIONS AND ART AND FOOD TO BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN UKRAINIAN AND AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.
RIGHT? THE BEST LANGUAGE IS ART.
THE BEST LANGUAGE IS WHEN WE CONNECT THROUGH OUR COMMON VALUES.
SO WE'VE ORGANIZED A LOT OF EVENTS IN THE PAST.
WE SUPPORT RALLIES THAT ARE HELD EVERY SATURDAY IN FRONT OF, UH, STATE, UM, CAPITAL, UH, FROM 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM WE HOLD IMPORTANT, UM, COMMEMORATION EVENTS DEDICATED TO MANMADE FAMINE.
UH, IN 19 32, 19 33, WE GO TO WASHINGTON, DC WE DON'T JUST LIMIT OUR ACTIVITY WITHIN TEXAS.
WE'RE PART OF ADVOCACY GROUPS THAT GOES AND MEETS WITH SENATORS AND, UH, CONGRESSMEN.
WITH THAT, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYBODY TO JOIN OUR CELEBRATORY RALLY AT THE CAPITOL HILL ON SEPTEMBER 19TH AT 11:00 AM THAT WILL BE DEDICATED TO THIS PROCLAMATION AND TO SEPTEMBER BEING THE UKRAINIAN HERITAGE MONTH.
WE WOULD ALSO LOVE TO INVITE EVERYBODY TO OUR EVENT IN NOVEMBER WHERE WE, WHERE WE WILL BE COMMEMORATING THE VICTIMS OF THE MANMADE FAMINE IN 1930S.
AND REMEMBER, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A UKRAINIAN TO CELEBRATE UKRAINIAN HERITAGE.
WE CAN GET RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM HERE, RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE, YEAH.
[Proclamation - Felix Gonzalez Day - To be presented by Council Member José Velásquez]
WELL, GOOD MORNING.I AM COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
AND TODAY I AM HONORED TO CELEBRATE A TALENTED AND DEDICATED YOUNG MAN WHO HAS A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM.
UH, AT A YOUNG AGE, FELIX GONZALEZ HAS ALREADY TAKEN HIS SOCCER SKILLS AROUND THE WORLD, PROUDLY REPRESENTING OUR CITY IN SPAIN,
[00:35:01]
THE NETHERLANDS, ITALY, JUST TO NAME A FEW.FELIX HAS EMBODIED WHAT IT MEANS WHEN WE SAY AUSTIN IS A SOCCER CITY.
I AM SO PROUD TO RECOGNIZE HIS ACHIEVEMENTS THUS FAR AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPACT HE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE ON OUR CITY AND OUR SOCCER COMMUNITY.
AND AS, UH, A PROUD PARENT OF A FIVE-YEAR-OLD STARTING SOCCER THIS WEEKEND.
MAYBE HE TOO CAN BE THE NEXT FELIX GONZALEZ.
UH, BUT THE MOST EXCITING PART OF THIS IS WE GET TO PROCLAIM A DAY.
SO I'M GONNA HAVE YOU HOLD THIS FOR A MINUTE.
THANK SO MUCH
KNOWN THAT WHEREAS FELIX GONZALEZ EXEMPLIFIES THE SPIRIT OF AUSTIN THROUGH HIS DEDICATION, HUMILITY, AND RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE, DEMONSTRATING THE VALUES OF INTEGRITY, DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT, BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD.
AND WHEREAS DESPITE EXPERIENCING PRO PROFOUND PERSONAL LOSS AND THE CHALLENGES OF LIMITING FINANCIAL MEANS, FELIX REFUSED TO LET THAT HARDSHIP DETERMINE HIS FUTURE, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO FACE EVERY OBSTACLE WITH COURAGE, PERSEVERANCE, AND UNWAVERING RESOLVE.
AND WHEREAS HIS COMMITMENT AND DETERMINATION EARNED HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN WITH A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER ACADEMY IN KADI, SPAIN, WHILE PROUDLY REPRESENTING AUSTIN AND COMPETITION THROUGH MEXICO, COSTA RICA, SPAIN, GERMANY, ITALY, AND THE NETHERLANDS, PROVING THAT DETERMINATION CAN CARRY DREAMS BEYOND BORDERS, PASSPORT'S FULLER THAN MINE,
UH, WHEREAS HIS CONTINUED GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE HAVE LED TO ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY HAVING BEEN SCOUTED FOR ADVANCED SOCCER TRAINING IN BRAZIL, BEGINNING IN THE FALL OF 2026, FURTHER DEMONSTRATING THAT HIS TALENT, WORK ETHIC AND DEDICATION CONTINUE TO OPEN DOORS ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE.
AND WHEREAS FELIX'S STORY REFLECTS THE EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT THAT FAMILIES, COACHES, MENTORS, NEIGHBORS, EDUCATORS, AND AN INVESTED COMMUNITY CAN HAVE WHEN THEY UNITE TO ENCOURAGE, GUIDE, AND BELIEVE IN THE POTENTIAL OF A YOUNG PERSON.
AND WHEREAS HIS ACHIEVEMENTS SERVE AS A LASTING REMINDER THAT GREATNESS IS NEVER MEASURED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES INTO WHICH SOMEONE IS BORN, BUT BY THE STRENGTH OF ONE'S CHARACTER, THE CHOICES ONE MAKES, AND THE PEOPLE WHO STAND BESIDE THEM ALONG THE WAY.
AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE STANDING BESIDE YOU TODAY, BESIDE YOU TODAY.
WHEREAS MAY FELIX'S JOURNEY INSPIRE EVERY YOUNG ATHLETE TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS WITH CONFIDENCE, REMINDING THEM THAT ADVERSITY DOES NOT DEFINE DESTINY.
AND THAT WHEN TALENT IS MATCHED WITH PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPORTED BY A COMMUNITY WILLING TO INVEST IN ITS YOUTH, THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED.
SO NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2026 AS FELIX GONZALEZ DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I HOPE YOU'RE ALL HAVING AN AMAZING MORNING.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR GIVING ME AND MY FAMILY THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND CELEBRATE THIS INCREDIBLE MILESTONE.
THIS IS A MOMENT THAT I WOULD TRULY CHERISH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
BUT BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE, I WANT TO GIVE ALL THE GLORY TO MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
WITHOUT HIM, I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE TODAY.
HE HAS GIVEN ME THE STRENGTH, FAITH, AND DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD, EVEN NEAR THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS OF MY LIFE.
I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK MY PARENTS, ESPECI, ESPECIALLY MY MOM.
MOM, THIS ACHIEVEMENT MEANS JUST AS MUCH TO YOU AS IT DOES TO ME.
YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY BIGGEST FAN, MY BIGGEST SUPPORTER, AND MY ROCK.
WITHOUT YOU, I WOULD NOT BE THE MAN I AM TODAY.
YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME THAT WHEN YOU FACE ADVERSITY, ADVERSITY, YOU NEVER GIVE UP.
NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT LIFE BECOMES THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE, WE HAVE FACED MANY CHALLENGES, BUT YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE REMINDING ME TO KEEP GOING AND TO NEVER LOSE FAITH.
YOU ARE THE STRONGEST WOMAN I KNOW, AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SACRIFICED FOR ME HAS HOW SHAPED THE PERSON I AM TODAY.
I HOPE YOU NOW THAT THIS MOMENT BELONGS TO YOU, JUST AS IT BELONGS TO ME.
I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A VERY SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MY GRANDPA AND MY UNCLE JOE.
I KNOW THEY WOULD LOVE TO BE HERE STANDING BESIDE ME TODAY, BUT I KNOW THAT THEY'RE IN A SPECIAL PLACE WATCHING OVER ME.
THEY ARE A BIG REASON WHY I CONTINUE TO PUSH MYSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY AND I CARRY THEIR MEMORY WITH ME.
AND I HOPE THAT EVERYTHING I ACCOMPLISH MAKES THEM PROUD.
I WANT TO THANK MY COACHES JAVIER MARTINEZ AND MARCELO.
[00:40:01]
PERSON, FIRST COACH, WHOEVER, WHOEVER TRULY SAW POTENTIAL ME THROUGH ALL THE UPS AND DOWNS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE MOMENTS I WAS ON THE VERGE OF QUITTING.SOMETIMES WHEN I STRUGGLE TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF, MAMA JAVIER, I'LL, I'LL USE SO MUCH AND I'LL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL FOR THE IMPACT YOU HAVE HAD ON MY LIFE AND MY SOCCER CAREER.
MARCELO THE CEO AND OWNER OF TEXAS SOCCER LEGENDS.
THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING BY MY SIDE.
YOU HAVE BLESSED ME WITH SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND I'M TRULY GRATEFUL.
EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME, YOU HAVE BECOME MORE THAN JUST A COACH AND A MENTOR.
I'M EXTREMELY THANKFUL THAT YOU BELIEVED IN ME, TRUSTED IN ME, AND GAVE ME OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE MY DREAMS. AND I'M SO EXCITED FOR WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE FOR US.
WITHOUT THESE PEOPLE, I'LL NOT BE THE SOCCER PLAYER OR PERSON I AM TODAY.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BELIEVING IN ME AND PUTTING YOUR TRUST IN ME.
I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO FERNANDO MENDOZA FOR SHARING THESE WORDS WITH ME.
YOU NEED TO HAVE DISCIPLINE, HEART, AND PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN YOU.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN ABILITIES.
THE THOSE WORDS HAVE STAYED WITH ME, AND I HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.
BUT INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THAT TO DISCOURAGE ME, I USE THAT AS MOTIVATION.
EVERY TIME SOMEONE DOUBTED ME, IT PUSHED ME TO WORK HARDER.
EVERY OBSTACLE BECAME ANOTHER REASON TO KEEP GOING.
MY DREAM IS TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER.
AND I KNOW THAT DREAM WILL NOT BE EASY TO ACHIEVE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT ONE DAY WITH GOD'S GUIDANCE AND HARD DISCIPLINE AND PERSEVERANCE, THAT DREAM WILL BECOME A REALITY.
AND THERE'S ONE MESSAGE I WANT TO LEAVE TO SAY TO THE YOUNG KIDS, NEVER STOP CHASING YOUR DREAMS. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL YOUR DREAM MAY SEEM.
IF IT MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU, IT IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO DOUBT YOU.
THERE WILL BE MOMENTS WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP.
THERE'LL BE OBSTACLES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL THAT WILL QUESTION WHETHER YOU CAN CONTINUE.
BUT THOSE ARE THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF THE MOST.
KEEP BELIEVING, KEEP YOUR FAITH.
AND THEN NEVER, NEVER ALLOW ANYONE ELSE TO CONVINCE YOU THAT YOUR DREAMS ARE IMPOSSIBLE.
ONE DAY YOU WILL LOOK BACK AND REALIZE THAT EVERY DIFFICULT MOMENT WAS PREPARING YOU FOR THE MOMENT YOU WERE MEANT TO HAVE.
LASTLY, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT HERE TODAY AND BEING A PART OF MY SPECIAL MOMENT FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY.
AND THANK YOU TO MY FAMILY, MY COACHES, MY FRIENDS, AND EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME THROUGHOUT MY THIS JOURNEY.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU GOD, FOR GIVING ME THE STRENGTH TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
AND I'M TRULY GRATEFUL TO BE STANDING HERE TODAY AND I'M EXCITED FOR WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.
GOD BLESS AND HAVE AN AMAZING DAY.
UM, I AM FELIX'S MOM AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR THIS AMAZING RECOGNITION.
WE'RE VERY HUMBLED AND GRATEFUL TO BE HERE.
UM, I HAVE A COUPLE WORDS THAT I WANT TO TELL MY SON.
UM, THREE YEARS AGO, LIFE LOOKED DIFFERENT FOR US.
THERE WERE MANY DARK NIGHTS AND A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.
BUT WHAT WOULD I ALWAYS TELL YOU? TOMORROW'S A NEW DAY.
TOMORROW'S A NEW DAY, RIGHT? AND TOMORROW CAME.
AND WHAT DID YOU DO? YOU WORKED HARD, YOU PUSHED YOURSELF.
THE NEXT DAY, TOMORROW'S A NEW DAY.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING AND THERE'S SO MUCH MORE WORK TO DO, RIGHT? MARCELLO
YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD.
AND I JUST WANNA TELL YOU, I'M ALWAYS GONNA BE HERE FOR YOU.
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT JURY JUST SAYS LIKS ON THE BACK.
WELL, WE'RE GONNA STEP RIGHT FRONT HERE AND TAKE A PICTURE AND IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM.
SO IT'S JUST GOING TO MOVE OURSELVES ALONG.