[Cathy McHorse Day – To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes]
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I'M COUNCILWOMAN VANESSA FUENTES, REPRESENTING DISTRICT TWO.
I'M JOINED HERE TODAY BY MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBERS MARK UCHIN, MAYOR PROTE VELA, AS WELL AS TRAVIS COUNTY JUDGE ANDY BROWN.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE HERE WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND LOVED ONES, INCLUDING ED HOR, WHO ARE ALL HERE.
TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF KATHY MCCORT, I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT WE STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS.
KATHY WAS, IS ONE OF THOSE GIANTS.
IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT WE FEEL THIS BIG OF LOSS IN OUR CITY, BUT AS A DIRECT RESULT OF HER WORK, HER ADVOCACY, AND HER BELIEF IN THE IDEA THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN UNSHAKEABLE FOUNDATION, SO MANY FAMILIES ACROSS OUR CITY CAN NOW ACCESS THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO START A STRONG, LAY DOWN THEIR ROOTS, AND TO BUILD WEALTH THAT LASTS FOR GENERATIONS.
FOR YEARS, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK ALONGSIDE KATHY IN OUR COLLECTIVE MISSION TO CARE FOR OUR LITTLEST COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
IN FACT, UM, OFTENTIMES WE WOULD MEET OVER MARGARITAS OR WINE AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND STRATEGIZE, YOU KNOW, HOW WE WERE GONNA MOVE THE INITIATIVE FORWARD.
AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE VERY LAST CONVERSATION I HAD WITH KATHY, I WAS VERY PREGNANT AT THE TIME, AND IT WAS AT A PARK EVENT IN MY DISTRICT.
AND I WENT UP TO HER AND HUGGED HER AND SAID, OH, IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.
AND SHE SHARED WITH ME HOW EXCITED SHE WAS THAT SHE'D BE WELCOMING HER GRAND BABY AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT I WAS GONNA GIVE BIRTH.
AND SO IT'S REALLY SPECIAL TO SEE BABY CAMERON HERE, UM, WITH US TODAY.
UM, AND TO KNOW REALLY HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS THAT THE LAST CONVERSATION I HAD WITH KATHY WAS ABOUT BABIES AND CHILDREN.
IT'S JUST SO FITTING BECAUSE THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO HER.
I ALSO WANNA THANK EVERYONE FOR JOINING US TODAY, INCLUDING DR.
LEAH MNET, CINDY GAMMA, WITH THE RAISING TRAVIS COUNTY, UH, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL.
THANK YOU DELPHI FOR BEING INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ORGANIZE TODAY, AS WELL AS OUR AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS WHO ARE WITH US AS WELL.
AND OF COURSE, ED AND KATHY'S FAMILY AND LOVED ONES, WE CARRY HER LEGACY FORWARD BY NOT RESTING UNTIL EVERY AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY FAMILY HAS ACCESS TO RELIABLE, CONVENIENT, HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE.
WITH THAT, I'LL NOW PASS IT OVER TO TRAVIS COUNTY, JUDGE JUDGE BROWN.
UM, TODAY WE'RE HERE TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE SOMEBODY WHO DESERVES TO BE REMEMBERED IN AUSTIN FOR THE REST OF TIME.
A FEW YEARS AGO, KATHY MCCORT WANTED TO FIND A WAY TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CHILDCARE IN TRAVIS COUNTY, THE MOST UNAFFORDABLE COUNTY IN TEXAS TO RAISE A CHILD.
SHE SAW THE NEED FOR MORE AFFORDABLE, HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE HERE, AND SHE WAS WELL FAMILIAR WITH THE STRUGGLES OF ACCESSING CHILDCARE IN TEXAS.
HAVING BEEN A SCHOOL TEACHER AND LICENSED CHILDCARE ADMINISTRATOR HERSELF, KATHY USED HER EXPERIENCE, HER KNOWLEDGE AND DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF CHILDCARE SYSTEMS TO HELP ORGANIZE THOSE AROUND HER.
SHE KNEW THE STRUGGLES WORKING PARENTS FACED IN BALANCING THEIR FAMILIAL COMMITMENTS, WORK SHIFTS AND BUDGETS.
AND SHE ALSO KNEW THAT IT WAS CRITICAL FOR CHILDREN TO HAVE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH TO LEARN TO THRIVE AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS.
SHE STRESSED THE VALUE OF HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE.
SHE ADVOCATED FIERCELY AND LOVINGLY FOR ALL OF IT.
AND TODAY, RAISING TRAVIS COUNTY IS UP AND RUNNING, HELPING CHILDREN GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEED.
KATHY WAS A DRIVING FORCE IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
SHE WAS KIND, CONSIDERATE, AND A DETERMINED FORCE OF COMPASSION.
SHE PUT HER EMPATHY INTO ACTION, AND WE WILL HONOR HER MEMORY BY PUTTING THAT SAME SPIRIT IN HUMANITY INTO ALL THE WORK WE DO FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN TRAVIS COUNTY.
AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY, I, I'M A GRADUATE OF MCCALLUM HIGH SCHOOL.
MOST OF THE MCC COURSE FAMILY, I BELIEVE IS ALSO THERE.
AROUND THE SAME TIME KATHY MARRIED INTO THIS DYNASTY OF MCCALLUM KNIGHTS.
UM, AND I'M SO GLAD THAT SHE DID, AND JUST SO HAPPY TO, UM, BE PART OF THE, THE WORK THAT KATHY DID.
UM, SO I'LL PASS IT BACK TO YOU FOR A PROCLAMATION.
AND THIS TRULY IS A TREAT 'CAUSE WE ARE DOING A JOINT CITY AND COUNTY PROCLAMATION 'CAUSE KATHY'S IMPACT WAS PEL COUNTYWIDE FOR US.
SO, OH, WE PRESENTING THIS TO ED MCCORT WANNA HOLD THAT REAL QUICK? BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS
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KATHY MCCORT WAS A RELENTLESS STRATEGIC, VISIONARY AND SELF-DESCRIBED SALTY ADVOCATE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION WORKFORCE, WHOSE MOTTO WAS TINY HUMANS ARE MY FAVORITE.AND WHEREAS KATHY TIRELESSLY PURSUED BIG IDEAS AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MAKE HIGH QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, AND TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN THAT, AND TO ENSURE THAT CHILDCARE WORKFORCE RECEIVE THE SUPPORT, TRAINING AND COMPENSATION AND RESPECT WORTHY OF THE INVALUABLE ROLE THAT THEY PLAY IN TEACHING AND CARING FOR THE YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS IN HER ROLES AS A LI LONGTIME APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL COMMUNITY ADVOCATE AND SEVEN YEAR LEADER OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY SUCCESS BY SIX COALITION, KATHY'S WORK MADE THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY BETTER.
ALL RIGHT? WHEREAS KATHY'S LEGACY TO OUR COMMUNITY IS RAISING TRAVIS COUNTY, A SUSTAIN SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCE FOR HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE THAT WILL IMPACT GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO COME.
AND WHEREAS WE ARE HONORED TO CELEBRATE THE INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT KATHY MADE TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY, AND GRATEFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP BLUEPRINT, SHE LEFT FOR US ALL TO FOLLOW KATHY'S EXAMPLE OF INCLUSIVE, HUMBLE, AND JOYFUL LEADERSHIP RAISED THE BAR FOR THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE KNOWN HER.
NOW THEREFORE, BE A PROCLAIMED THAT WE, THE TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2026 AS KATHY MCCORT STATE AND TRAVIS COUNTY.
NOW THEREFORE, IN RECOGNITION OF HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AND WITH SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR HER ENDURING CONTRIBUTIONS AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENT, I COUNCILMAN VANESSA FUENTES ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES, MAYOR PRO, COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2026 AS KATHY HOR DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS SAYING, SAYING A FEW WORDS AS HER HUSBAND ED MCCORT.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY, UM, THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL AND RAISING TRAVIS COUNTY WHO I KNOW WERE THE KIND OF THE, THE STRAWS THAT STIR THE STIRRED THIS.
UM, AND THEN I KNOW WHAT KATHY WOULD WANT ME TO SAY, WHICH WAS, UH, SHE WOULD LOOK OUT IN THIS AUDIENCE OF FELLOW ADVOCATES AND PROVIDERS AND FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, AND REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THIS WAS A TEAM EFFORT.
EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, UH, IS BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, INCLUDING THE PEOPLE BACK HERE WHO ULTIMATELY MAKE IT HAPPEN, UM, AND HOW MUCH SHE LOVED AND ENJOYED WORKING WITH EVERYBODY.
[Hispanic Heritage Month – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela]
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.UH, I AM MAYOR PRO TEM CHITO VELA, UH, HERE TO HONOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, UH, A GREAT MONTH RUNNING FROM SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER, UH, WHERE WE HONOR, UH, THE MANY DIFFERENT LATINO CULTURES, THE MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM LATIN AMERICA, FROM TEXAS, FROM NEW MEXICO, FROM CALIFORNIA, UH, FROM ALL OVER LATIN AMERICA, UH, CELEBRATE THEIR HERITAGE, CELEBRATE THEIR HISTORY, CELEBRATE OUR CULTURE, UH, AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH SO MANY, UH, LEADERS FROM THE COMMUNITY.
UH, I WANNA FIRST JUST RECOGNIZE A HANDFUL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT, UH, THAT WORK SO HARD TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY HERE, UH, IN AUSTIN, UH, ALA THE HISPANIC ADVOCATE, ADVOCATES AND BUSINESS LEADERS OF AUSTIN, UH, LULAC LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN
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AMERICAN CITIZENS, THE HISPANIC WOMEN'S NETWORK OF TEXAS.YES, LU MADRE, THE LATINO COALITION FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
YES, ME MUSEUM, ALWAYS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPOTS THERE ON, UH, CONGRESS AVENUE, UH, THE GREATER AUSTIN, HIS HISPANIC CHAMBER, UH, EH, THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF MEXICAN AMERICAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, UH, THE CENTER FOR MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES, WHICH AGAIN, WE ARE BROKEN-HEARTED WITH, UH, WHAT WHAT IS, UH, UH, HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH, UH, WITH, UH, UH, MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES MAJOR, UH, THE AUSTIN RASA ROUNDTABLE AND, UH, PO PEOPLE ORGANIZING DEFENSE OF EARTH AND HER, UH, RESOURCES, UH, AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, UH, THAT DO SO MUCH GOOD WORK, UH, HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UH, LET ME TURN IT OVER TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE, UH, LULU FLORES FOR, FOR SOME, UH, REMARKS.
I REPRESENT EAST AND SOUTH, EAST AUSTIN, AND SOUTHEAST TRAVIS COUNTY.
AND I REPRESENT AN AREA THAT HAS A PROUD HISPANIC CULTURE AND HISTORY.
OF COURSE, THIS IS TRUE OF TEXAS IN GENERAL.
IT IT, WE ARE PROUD OF OUR STATE WHOSE IDENTITY STEMS FROM A UNIQUE MIX OF LATINO, ANGLO, NATIVE AND AFRICAN AMERICAN INFLUENCES.
WE RECOGNIZE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LARA TO POLITICS, LITERATURE, COMMERCE, FOOD, AND MUSIC OF OUR CITY, OUR STATE, AND OUR NATION.
BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M SO HAPPY TO BE PARTICIPATING HERE WITH Y'ALL.
UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH NOT EVERYONE APPRECIATES THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION OF HISPANIC PEOPLE, THE ADMINISTRATION SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO SEE ABOUT IT.
IT ALL THEY SEEM TO BE ABLE TO SEE ABOUT US IS OUR COLOR OF OUR SKIN.
IN DEFIANCE OF ALL HISTORY AND LOGIC, IT SEES LATINO PEOPLE AS FOREIGNERS AND IM, AND IMMIGRANTS AS, AS THREATS.
THE PRESIDENT THREATENED LA LATIN COUNTRIES AND TRIES TO ERASE THE NAME MEXICO FROM AMERICAN PLACES.
HIS HIGHEST LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY IS A BARELY CONCEALED ATTEMPT TO RESTRICT THE ABILITY OF LATINOS TO VOTE AND HIS ADMINISTRATION TERRORIZES BROWN PEOPLE IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THEM LEAVE THE US.
JUST THIS WEEK WE SAW ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS POLICY PLAY OUT IN THE SHOOTING IN ARREST OF RAPHAEL PERES AND THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE WHERE I WORK IS NOT MUCH BETTER.
IT IMPLEMENTED A MID DECADE WITH GERRYMANDERED TO INCREASE THE POWER OF REPUBLICANS.
AND THIS WAS CLEVERLY DESIGNED TO REDUCE LATINO VOTING POWER WHILE IT APPEARED TO INCREASE IT.
40% OF TEXAS IS HISPANIC, BUT ONLY 17% OF ITS CONGRESSION CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS.
THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALSO INSTITUTED VOTER REGISTRATION POLICY POLICIES THAT ALMOST CERTAINLY DECREASED HISPANIC VOTER REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION.
IT'S INCREASED PENALTIES FOR VOTING ILLEGALLY RESTRICTED THE ABILITY TO VOTE BY MAIL, AND ALLOWED THE REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF POLLING PLACES.
IN INSTANCES, LIKE IN TERRACE COUNTY RECENTLY, THEY CONSISTENTLY UNDERFUND PUBLIC EDUCATION OVER HALF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN TEXAS, OUR LATINO, BUT THE LEGISLATURE PREFERS TO FUND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND PAY FOR VOUCHERS FOR RICH PARENTS TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
AND OF COURSE, THE LEGISLATURE HAS FOLLOWED TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LEAD IN VILIFYING IMMIGRANTS AND CRIMINALIZING THEM.
IT HAS BANNED CITIES LIKE AUSTIN FROM DECLARING THEMSELVES SANCTUARY FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED.
IT HAS FUNDED THE DEPLOYMENT OF STATE TROOPERS AND NATIONAL GUARD RESOURCES TO THE BORDER UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S OPERATION LONE STAR.
AND IT HAS MADE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION A CRI, A STATE CRIME, AND ALLOWED STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ARREST THOSE SUSPECTED OF, OF A, OF EVEN ON THE FLIMSIEST PRETEXTS.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, THESE POLICIES ARE THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IS.
YES, THEY DO NOT SEEK TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATINOS, BUT TO LIMIT THEM.
THEY WANT TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR HISPANIC PEOPLE TO LIVE, THRIVE, AND EVEN BE IN TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES.
THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BE STARTING BEFORE TOO LONG.
WHEN IT COMES, I WILL BE FIGHTING
BUT TODAY, ENOUGH OF THAT, IT IS A DAY OF CELEBRATION.
WE HAVE ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL EXAMPLES OF LEADERS AND POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THE LATINO COMMUNITY, AND I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND PROCLAIMING THIS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
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NEXT, UH, LEADER UP IS PAUL ALBANIA WITH ABLA.I KNOW LULU, UH, SAID THAT WE'RE GOING TO, UH, STOP AND START CELEBRATING, BUT I STILL HAVE MORE TO SAY,
SO AS WE ALL KNOW, IT'S BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT WEEK FOR OUR LATINO COMMUNITY AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY HERE IN AUSTIN WITH THE RECENT SHOOTING OF OUR MANO WILBUR.
AND IT'S NOT PASSED ANY OF US THAT ALL OF THIS IS OCCURRING DURING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
SO I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO REMIND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO REMIND DHS AND TO REMIND ICE THAT BEING LATINO IN THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A CRIME.
COMING FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IS NOT A CRIME.
FLEEING FROM YOUR HOME COUNTRIES IS NOT A CRIME.
AND CHASING THE AMERICAN DREAM TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR FAMILIES IS NOT A CRIME YET.
COWARDLY MASKED FEDERAL AGENTS ARE ROUNDING UP PEOPLE WITH BROWN SKIN LIKE OURS, PURSUING BOTH US CITIZENS AND LEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR DRAGNET.
SOME LATINOS ARE NOW AFRAID TO SPEAK SPANISH, TO LISTEN TO OUR MUSIC IN PUBLIC.
SOME LATINOS ARE EVEN MISSING MASS AND STAYING HOME ON SUNDAYS.
AND THEN THEY'RE ASKING FRIENDS TO PICK UP THEIR CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL.
AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE LIVING IN FEAR OF A GOVERNMENT THAT IS SWORN TO PROTECT US, OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES AND KEEP US SAFE.
AND NOW FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE, UH, AGENTS HAVE THE AUDACITY TO BELIEVE THAT THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON US AS LATINOS TO SHOW THAT WE ARE HERE LEGALLY AND THAT WE'RE NOT COMMITTING CRIMES.
AND NOW THESE COWARDS ARE HIDING BEHIND MASK.
THEY'VE SHATTERED CAR WINDOWS, THEY'RE PULLING OUT DRIVERS, THEY'RE LEAVING CHILDREN CRYING IN THE BACKSEAT OF CARS.
AND AS WE EXPERIENCE THIS PAST WEEK IN OUR HOMETOWN OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, WE WITNESS ICE AGE AGENTS SHOOT A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY IN THE BACK.
BUT THANKFULLY, THANKS TO ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN OUR AUSTIN COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THIS NATION, WE ARE ENCOURAGING EACH OTHER TO BE ARMED WITH A WHISTLE IN ONE HAND AND A CELL PHONE IN THE OTHER TO RECORD THE UNLAWFUL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT TACTICS AND OVERREACH.
WE KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT NOBODY FARTS FIGHTS HARDER FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAN OUR BROWN, BLACK AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.
WE WERE BORN FROM TWO HORIZONS, ONE OF FIRE AND ONE OF FAITH.
WE ARE GOING TO LEAN INTO OUR PO LATINO RISE TOGETHER BY LIFTING EACH OTHER UP.
AND THIS YEAR WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
WE PLAN TO EXTEND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ALL THE WAY UNTIL NOVEMBER AND ELECTION DAY WHEN WE COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, WHEN WE COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO UTILIZE OUR POWER, OUR VOICES, AND OUR VOTES IN THE BALLOT BOX.
S SO TO THROW A LITTLE BIT MORE CHINGA IS MICHAEL MADRE MY BEST FRIEND, ALICIA PERES HO.
UM, I, WHEN THEY SAY, UH, I'M AN AMERICAN, I'M AN AMERICAN, I'M AMERICAN, I'M, I'M LOOKING AND I'M GOING, WAIT A MINUTE.
WE WERE CREATED THE ME LAS AMERICAS.
SO LOS THE, UH, FIRST WOMAN TO BE, UH, A NATIONAL LEGAL ADVISOR, UH, TO LULAC, ILA TORA MARIA RA, WHO IS NOW THE DIRECTOR OF OUR VERY OWN HOMEGROWN, UH, PERSON.
I ALSO APPRECIATE, UH, YOU BEING HERE WITH US.
UH, THE INJUSTICE THAT WE WITNESSED, UH, UH, LAST WEEK, UM, IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL NOT, UH, TOLERATE THAT IS UN-AMERICAN.
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UH, WE WILL NOT BEND THE KNEE TO ANYONE, AND WE MUST TAKE OUR PROTEST TO THE VOTING BOOTH.OUR NEXT VOTER RIGHT HERE, OUR NEXT VOTER.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR, FOR BEING HERE, UH, WITH US.
UH, WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTIVISTS HERE.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU, YOU PUT IN AND ALL THE YEARS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN, UH, WITH US.
CIA, THANK YOU PRO, THAT'S YOU.
WELL, HARD ACT TO FOLLOW THERE.
UH, BUT I, I, I COMPLETELY SHARE THE SENTIMENTS.
UH, MY HEART IS, UH, BROKEN FOR, FOR SO MANY REASONS.
UH, IT'S BEEN A ROUGH, UH, MONTH FOR LATINOS IN AUSTIN.
UH, AND, UH, WE'RE HURTING, BUT, UH, WE ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD.
UH, AND WE CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR A CHANGE TO BUILD COMMUNITY, UH, AND TO, TO BE AS POSITIVE.
AND, AND I KNOW THE FOLKS, UH, UH, AT HOME CAN'T SEE THIS, BUT WE COULDN'T FIT EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM THAT SHOWED UP TODAY.
WE HAVE A BUNCH OF FOLKS, UH, JUST OUTSIDE OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM,
UH, SO, AND I ALSO WANTED TO, UH, RECOGNIZE, UH, JOSE VELAZQUEZ, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE.
UH, RYAN ALTER, AND I KNOW VANESSA FUENTES, UH, JUST DID A MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR KATHY MCCORT, WHO WAS A CHAMPION FOR EDUCATION.
AND SHE'S NOT HERE BECAUSE SHE'S, UH, WITH THE FAMILY IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, UH, AFTER, UH, RECOGNIZING HER.
AND, AND THAT WAS A, A BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING TRIBUTE.
UH, AND LET ME GO AHEAD AND GET TO THE PROCLAMATION.
THIS IS GONNA BE VERY SMALL PRINT AND I DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES, SO JUST, UH, BE PATIENT WITH ME.
UH, HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, UH, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IS CELEBRATED EACH YEAR FROM SEPTEMBER 15TH TO OCTOBER 15TH, HONORING THE HISTORY, DIVERSITY AND RICH CULTURE OF LATINOS, AS WELL AS THEIR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO IN THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND WHEREAS LATINOS MAKE UP OVER 40% OF THE POPULATION OF TEXAS REPRESENTING ONE OF THE LARGEST POPULATIONS IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTING TO ITS CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, AND CIVIC LIFE.
AND WHEREAS THE LATINO COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN STANDS FIRM IN DEFENSE OF CONSTITUTIONAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL AMERICANS AND OPPOSES, UH, XENOPHOBIC RHETORIC AND DISCRIMINATORY IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, INCLUDING THE INHUMANE DETENTION OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.
AND WHEREAS EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE MEXICAN AMERICAN, LATINO, AND OTHER ETHNIC STUDIES PROGRAM IN HIGHER EDUCATION THREATEN TO ERASE HISTORIES THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO TEXAS.
AND AUSTIN STANDS WITH THOSE WORKING TO PRESERVE AND ADVANCE THIS HISTORY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
AND WHEREAS AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, QUALITY EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND OTHER PATHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY REGARDLESS OF RACE, ETHNICITY, OR LANGUAGE.
AND WHEREAS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS AUSTIN PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN ADVANCING THESE EFFORTS THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, CULTURAL PRESERVATION, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND LEADERSHIP.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, UH, CHIEF OF VELA MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF OF AUSTIN, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES, JOSE VELASQUEZ, CHRIS LANE, RYAN ALTER, VANESSA ENTENTES, AND THE ENTIRE, UH, AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, AND OF COURSE, MAYOR KIRK WATSON DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 15TH THROUGH OCTOBER 15TH, 2026 AS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I I HEARD A MOTION TO AMEND IT TO NOVEMBER 3RD BY ACCLIMATION.
DO YOU WANNA DO PHOTOS ON? I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GET EVERYBODY IN THERE.
WELL, AGAIN, UH, THANK Y'ALL SO, SO MUCH.
UH, THIS HAS, UH, BEEN REALLY HEARTWARMING AND UPLIFTING, UH, AFTER A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT WEEK.
AND IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL TO SEE SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE HERE, UH, FIGHTING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, UH, THANK Y'ALL SO, SO MUCH FOR THE PROC, UH, FOR THE PROCLAMATION.
AND, UH, UH, WE'RE GONNA GO AND TAKE OUR PHOTO OUTSIDE OF ATRIUM.
ONE HERE AND THEN WE'LL DO ANOTHER ONE.
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COME ON, VISIT YOU CLOSE.[Opioid Awareness Day – To be presented by Council Member Ryan Alter]
EVERYBODY.I AM COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
I'M JOINED HERE TODAY, UH, BY MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER MARK UCHIN, UH, OUR ESTEEMED COUNTY JUDGE ANDY BROWN, UH, AS WELL AS OTHERS.
FORGIVE ME FOR NOT INTRODUCING EVERYBODY HERE,
UH, BUT WE ARE HERE FOR RECOGNIZING NATIONAL OPIOID OR NATIONAL OVERDOSE PREVENTION DAY, UH, SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO, UM, I WANNA HIGHLIGHT THE, THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.
YOU KNOW, UH, RECOGNIZING OVERDOSE PREVENTION DAY GIVES AUSTIN AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMEMBER NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE DIED FROM DRUG OVERDOSES AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE LASTING IMPACT ON THEIR LOVED ONES.
OBSERVING THE DAY HELPS BRING ATTENTION TO OVERDOSE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AFFECTING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
ACO ACROSS AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION CAN CHALLENGE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SUBSTANCE, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING, EMPATHY AND SUPPORT RATHER THAN JUST JUDGMENT.
TODAY PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT OVERDOSE WARNING SIGNS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, NALOXONE, AND OTHER WAYS TO PREVENT OVERDOSE.
DEATHS TODAY CAN HELP AUSTINITES LEARN ABOUT LOCAL SUPPORT SERVICES, TREATMENT OPTIONS, PEER SUPPORT AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS, MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO SEEK HELP.
RECOGNIZING THIS DAY BRINGS TOGETHER PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES, FIRST RESPONDERS, NONPROFITS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND RESIDENTS TO COORDINATE EFFORTS TO PREVENT OVERDOSE DEATHS.
OBSERVING OVERDOSE PREVENTION DAY DEMONSTRATES THAT EVERY LIFE MATTERS AND REINFORCES THE COMMUNITY'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY.
UH, AND BEFORE I READ THE PROCLAMATION, DID I SEE YOU'RE GONNA SPEAK? MM-HMM
LET ME CLEAR THE WAY FOR YOU HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER AND THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL OPIOID AWARENESS DAY OR OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY.
I'M HONORED TO ACCEPT IT ON BEHALF OF AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE MANY PARTNERS WORKING THROUGHOUT AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY TO PREVENT OVERDOSES AND SAVE LIVES.
TODAY, WE REMEMBER, REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE LOST, UH, WE HAVE LOST AND THE FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES WHO CONTINUE TO FEEL THAT LOSS.
IN TWENTY TWENTY FIVE, THREE HUNDRED AND ONE PEOPLE IN TRAVIS COUNTY DIED FROM UNINTENTIONAL DRUG OVERDOSES.
THIS REPRESENTS A 21% DECREASE IN THE OVERALL DRUG POISONING DEATHS.
HOW? AND IN THAT SAME PERIOD OF TIME, WE SAW A 35% DECREASE IN OPIOID DEATHS.
THE IMPACT REACHES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.
ALTHOUGH THE BURDEN IS NOT EQUALLY EXPERIENCED WITH A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT SEEN IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, OUR DATA HELP US TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE BURDEN IS GREATEST, SO THAT WE CAN BETTER TARGET PREVENTION AND OUTREACH AND RESOURCE EFFORTS.
OVERDOSE, HOWEVER, IS PREVENTABLE AND NALOXONE SAVES LIVES.
UM, AND SINCE 2021, UM, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH HAS DISTRIBUTED 303 THOU 30,000 DOSES OF NALOXONE.
ALONGSIDE THE IMPORTANT WORK OF AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY, EMS, TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND MANY COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
OVER 2000 HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING IN SUBSTANCE USE AND HOW TO REDUCE STIGMA LED BY OUR PARTNERS AT UT SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND OUR HARM REDUCTION PARTNERS WALK THE PATH TO RECOVERY FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC, THE CHRONIC ILLNESS OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
THE DRUG POISONINGS OR OVERDOSES THAT ACCUR OCCURRED IN OUR COMMUNITY LAST WEEK REMIND US THAT THE ILLICIT DRUG SUPPLY REMAINS UNPREDICTABLE AND DANGEROUS.
WE MUST CONTINUE TIMELY SURVEILLANCE, RAPIDLY SHARING INFORMATION WITH OUR RESPONSE PARTNERS.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO WORK TO REDUCE STIGMA AND EXPAND ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY, AND MAKE NALOXONE READILY AVAILABLE
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WHEREVER IT MAY BE NEEDED.NO SINGLE ORGANIZATION CAN DO THIS WORK ALONE.
IT TAKES A PUBLIC HEALTH COORDINATED, UH, RESPONSE WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, FAMILIES, AND OUR ELECTED LEADERS WORKING TOGETHER.
SO TODAY WE REMEMBER THOSE WE HAVE LOST SUPPORT, THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO PREVENTING THE NEXT OVERDOSE.
THE CALL TO ACTION TODAY IS TO LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN OVERDOSE, UM, CARRY NALOXONE, LEARN HOW TO USE IT, REMIND THOSE WHO ARE LIVING WITH THIS CHRONIC DISEASE OF SUBSTANCE USE, NOT TO USE ALONE, TO SHARE THE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND COWORKERS.
AND TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE TO CONNECT WITH TREATMENT AND RECOVERY.
SERVICE AWARENESS SAVES LIVES, NALOXONE SAVES LIVES.
AND TOGETHER OUR COMMUNITY CAN SAVE LIVES.
I'M GONNA HAVE GIVE THIS TO YOU TO HOLD RIGHT HERE AND MAYBE YOU CAN STAND RIGHT HERE.
SO BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS OPIOID MISUSE AND OPIOID USE DISORDER CONTINUE TO IMPACT INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTING TO PREVENTABLE OVERDOSES, ILLNESS AND LOSS OF LIFE.
AND WHEREAS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ARE CHRONIC, BUT TREATABLE MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE THROUGH ACCESS TO EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTION, TREATMENT RECOVERY SUPPORT, AND HARM REDUCTION SERVICES.
AND WHEREAS HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, FIRST RESPONDERS, PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND ADVOCATES WORK TOGETHER TO PREVENT OVERDOSE DEATHS, REDUCE STIGMA, AND CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO LIFE-SAVING RESOURCES.
AND WHEREAS NATIONAL OPIOID AWARENESS DAY RECOGNIZES THOSE AFFECTED BY OPIOID USE DISORDER, HONORS LIVES LOSS, CELEBRATES RECOVERY, AND ENCOURAGES COMMUNITIES TO WORK TOGETHER TO PREVENT OPIOID RELATED HARM.
SO NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER ALONGSIDE COUNCIL MEMBER MARK UCHIN ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2026 AS NATIONAL OVERDOSE PREVENTION DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UM, I DO WANNA OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY IF HE WANTS IT TO SPEAK, UH, HERE TO SUPPORT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE, UH, BUT YOU, WE CAN NOW TAKE OUR PICTURE AND, AND CELEBRATE HONOR RECOGNIZE
[Fall Prevention Awareness Day - To be presented by Council Member Krista Laine]
OH YEAH, I'M SORRY.GOOD MORNING EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.
THANK YOU TO OUR FIRST REPO RESPONDERS FOR SHOWING UP AND TO THE CHAIR OF AUSTIN'S COMMISSION ON AGING FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR AWARENESS.
EVERY SINGLE YEAR, MORE THAN ONE IN FOUR OLDER ADULTS EXPERIENCE A FALL.
IT IS A QUIET PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC HAPPENING RIGHT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, MAKING FALLS, THE LEADING CAUSE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.
HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS AMONG SENIORS.
IN FACT, FOR THOSE WHO FALL ONCE, NEARLY 40% WILL FALL AGAIN WITHIN THAT SAME YEAR.
THESE AREN'T MINOR TRIPS FALLS CAUSE 95% OF HIP HIP FRACTURES AND OVER HALF OF EMERGENCY ROOM CONCUSSIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS.
MOST OF THESE INCIDENTS HAPPEN RIGHT WHERE PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL SAFEST AT HOME.
OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AT AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY EMS FREQUENTLY RESPOND TO SENIOR FALLS, AS DOES AUSTIN FIRE, OFTEN THE FIRST ON SCENE.
UM, AND THEY POINT TO THE BATHROOM AND LIVING AREAS AS THE HIGHEST HAZARD ZONES.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL BECAUSE THREE QUARTERS OF OLDER ADULTS EXPRESS A STRONG DESIRE TO AGE IN PLACE, MAINTAINING THEIR INDEPENDENCE IN THE HOMES THEY LOVE.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT FALLS ARE NOT AN INEVITABLE PART OF GROWING OLDER.
AND IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A DIRECT LIFELINE TO PROTECT OUR LOVED ONES.
THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY EMS INJURY PREVENTION TEAM OPERATES A COMPLETELY FREE SENIOR HOME SAFETY PROGRAM.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE A LOCAL RESIDENT, AGE 65 OR OLDER, AND LIVING INDEPENDENTLY LICENSED PARAMEDICS WILL COME DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOME.
THEY WILL HELP IDENTIFY SLIP AND TRIP HAZARDS,
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REVIEW HIGH RISK MEDICATIONS, AND EVEN DISCUSS MEDICAL ID AND FALL DETECTION TOOLS ALL AT NO COST TO YOU.MY CALL TO ACTION TO EVERYONE HERE TODAY IS SIMPLE.
REACH OUT TO THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY EMS SENIOR HOME SAFETY PROGRAM TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE HOME ASSESSMENT.
LET'S MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A SAFER PLACE TO AGE WITH DI DIGNITY.
AND WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO PASS IT OFF TO THERESA FLORES, THE CHAIR OF OUR COMMISSION ON AGING FOR A FEW WORDS.
I'M THE VICE CHAIR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN COMMISSION ON AGING.
MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND I ARE PROUD TO PROMOTE THIS RESOLUTION THAT PUTS A SPOTLIGHT ON ACTIVE HEALTHY AGING IN AUSTIN.
AUSTIN HAS A REPUTATION FOR BEING A YOUNG HIP CITY, BUT WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT AUSTIN IS ALSO A RETIREMENT DESTINATION FOR SO MANY OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE DRAWN TO OUR VIBRANT CITY BY FAMILY TIES, OUTDOOR RECREATION, ART, MUSIC, AND BUSINESS.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBER LANE FOR HER SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP.
AND WITH THAT, I WILL PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION IF YOU'D LIKE TO STEP FORWARD TO RECEIVE IT.
AND I'LL JUST FOLD IT FOR YOU.
WHEREAS THE AUSTIN QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY FOR OLDER ADULTS FOUND A CONSISTENT CONCERN WITH FALL HAZARDS, SAFETY, AND A DESIRE TO REDUCE FALL RISKS.
AND WHEREAS FALLS ARE A LEADING CAUSE OF INJURY, HOSPITALIZATION, AND LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE AMONG OLDER ADULTS, YET MANY FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH EDUCATION, AWARENESS, AND PROACTIVE SAFETY MEASURES.
AND WHEREAS MAINTAINING STRENGTH, BALANCE, MOBILITY, VISION, HEALTH, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, AND SAFE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE RISK OF FALLS AND RELATED INJURIES AMONG OLDER ADULTS.
AND WHEREAS CAREGIVERS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SENIOR CENTERS AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, ALL PLAY IMPORTANT ROLES IN PROMOTING FALL PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS IN REMAINING SAFE AND INDEPENDENT.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESSIBLE HOUSING, WALKABLE COMMUNITIES, SAFE SIDEWALKS, TRANSPORTATION ACCESS, AND AGE-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS IN HELPING TO REDUCE FALL RISKS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
AND WHEREAS FALL PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS, SHARE RESOURCES, AND ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES TO TAKE STEPS THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY AGING MOBILITY AND INJURY PREVENTION THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS THE COMMISSION ON AGING ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS, CAREGIVERS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES TO PROMOTE FALL PREVENTION, EDUCATION, SAFETY PLANNING, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND AGE-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS THAT HELP OLDER ADULTS REMAIN HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT, AND CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.
NOW THEREFORE, I CRYSTAL LANE ON BEHALF OF MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE REST OF AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HERE HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2026 AS FALL PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND THEN I'M GONNA GRAB THIS SO THAT YOU DON'T, I SHOULD HAVE GRABBED IT BEFORE, JUST SO RIGHT HERE 'CAUSE WE'RE GONNA GET ANOTHER COUPLE PICTURES.
[National Police Women Day – To be presented by Council Member José Velásquez]
GOOD MORNING IS A GREAT DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.I AM COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ, PROUDLY REPRESENTING DISTRICT THREE.
AND TODAY I'M HONORED TO BE JOINED BY CHIEF DAVIS, ASSISTANT CHIEF JONES AND OUR OFFICERS TO RECOGNIZE NATIONAL POLICE WOMEN DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN A MALE DOMINATED PROFESSION.
AND ALTHOUGH WOMEN REPRESENT ALMOST HALF OF OUR COUNTRY'S POPULATION, ONLY ABOUT 12% OF WOMEN ARE POLICE OFFICERS AND LESS SERVE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.
BUT HERE IN AUSTIN, I AM PROUD OF OUR COMMITMENT TO CHANGING THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT REFLECTS OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE WOMEN OF OUR PD WHO ARE PAVING THE WAY.
THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE WITH US.
THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY.
YOUR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES AND DEDICATION ARE ESSENTIAL TO A SAFER AUSTIN.
AND CHIEF, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS AND THEN I'LL, I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION AFTER THAT.
NO, I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND, UH, ALL OUR COUNCIL PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE SO SUPPORTIVE OF US.
WE UNDERSTAND, LISTEN THERE, WOMEN AND POLICING BRING SO MUCH VALUE TO THIS ROLE.
UM, WE COULD, WE COULD TALK ABOUT THAT FOR HOURS, BUT THE REALITY IS THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE.
AND I THINK TO YOUR POINT OF TALKING ABOUT HOW FEW THERE
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OF WOMEN THERE ARE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, UH, WE, WE HAVE 30 BY 30 INITIATIVES.WE RECOGNIZE THAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS TO LOOK WHAT, LIKE, WHAT OUR COMMUNITY DOES.
SO WHEN WE DO OUR RECRUITING EFFORTS, IT'S, IT'S ALL ABOUT THAT.
SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD, IT'S ABOUT GETTING MORE WOMEN INTO THESE ROLES.
SO AGAIN, APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND OVERALL WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND WHEREAS WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE A RICH HISTORY OF SERVICE DEMONSTRATING COURAGE, RESILIENCE, INTEGRITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE WHILE BREAKING BARRIERS AND PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
AND WHEREAS FEMALE OFFICERS SERVE WITH DISTINCTION IN EVERY TIER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, EXCELLING IN PATROL, SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIONS, TACTICAL OPERATIONS, MENTORSHIPS AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ROLES, INSPIRING OTHERS WITH THEIR PROFESSIONALISM, COMPASSION, AND DEDICATION.
AND WHEREAS RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY METRICS CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATE THAT INCREASING FEMALE REPRESENTATION AND POLICING ENHANCES PUBLIC SAFETY BY IMPROVING DEESCALATION OUTCOMES, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY RELATIONS, AND BUILDING VITAL TRUST WITH THE DIVERSE SOCIETIES THEY SERVE.
AND WHEREAS PROGRESSIVE MODERN FRAMEWORKS LIKE THE 30 BY 30 INITIATIVE CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY ADDRESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OBSTACLES TO EXPAND THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN ACROSS LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE, SUPPORT, AND HONOR THE EXTRAORDINARY SACRIFICES, PROFESSIONALISM, AND INVALUABLE PERSPECTIVE THAT WOMEN BRING TO THE FRONT LINES OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ ON BEHALF OF CRYSTAL LANE, MAYOR PRO TELA, AND COUNCIL MEMBER MARK D UCHIN, AND THE ENTIRE DAAS AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2026 AS NATIONAL POLICE WOMEN DAY WOMEN IN POLICING DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
NOW IF WE WANT TO JUMP TO THE FRONT FOR A PHOTO, I'M ASSUMING PERFECT.