Travis County Commssioners Court
January 27, 2004
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Item 1
Anybody here on item no. 1? Proclamation? Okay. Number one is to approve proclamation from Austin independent school district recognizing african american heritage month. Proclamation reads whereas the Austin independent school district annually recognizes February as friendship american heritage month, this year is the 21st annual celebration. Have a seat, make yourself at home. This is a judge Biscoe type of proclamation, so it will take a while to read it. Whereas this year's theme is it came from me, celebrating african american authorship, literature in music, dance, art and drama, whereas notable distinguished authors include james well and johnson, best known as poet composer and diplomat. ... William grant still the first black composer in the united states to have a symphony performed by a major symphony orchestra, the first to have an opera produced by a major company in america and the first to conduct a white symphony orchestra in the deep south and nat king cole, successful post war era recording artist, whereas all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent; whereas in the early 1950's racial regularation in public schools -- segregation in public schools was the norm across america and by law all schools in a district should be equal. However, most black schools were routinely far inferior to their white counterparts. Whereas the Austin independent school district recognizes the 50th anniversary of the united states supreme court's decision of may 17, 1954, in brown versus board of education in topeka, kansas, which held that the doctrine of separate but equal was unconstitutional. And whereas the spirit of our democracy affirms that unfettered educational opportunity for all americans is essential to our well-being. Be it resolved that we the Travis County Commissioners court do here by proclaim the month of February, 2004 as african american heritage month in Travis County, Texas and urge participation in the school district in recognizing the contributions of blacks throughout history. I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning?
>> good morning, judge.
>> good morning.
>> any comments?
>> thank you, judge. My name is james solis, with the Austin independent school district. On behalf of the district, I would like to thank the court for supporting this recognition of african american heritage month in February. We will take this document, it will be presented at our events throughout the month. I would like to thank the court and appreciate the support that you guys show for the district and for african american heritage month.
>> thank for you coming down, we are certainly glad to be a part of this. I'm sure most if not all of us will give numerous speeches during the month of March.
>> in past year you have had different events at different schools. Several I have teajded one in particular at kealing middle school. Will you still have those type of events if so there will be a posting or listing of where the events will be held during the month of February.
>> yes, sir, individual schools will be doing different things throughout the month. The city is holding a city-wide event on the 15th at the delco center. Of course the Commissioners court will be invited to that.
>> thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Mr. Solis, you get to take this beautiful proclamation with you. Thank you.
>> thank you.
Last Modified: TUesday, January 28, 2004 6:44 AM