Travis County Commssioners Court
April 20, 2004
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Item 5
5. Approve resolution honoring poder (people organized in defense of earth and her resources) on its 13th year anniversary and recognize April 22, 2004 as earth day.
>> I can't believe it's been 13 years.
>> I know. Pretty incredible. [indiscernible] you have it.
>> suzanna and sylvia are here and erica? Thank you so much.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> in this period of globalization there is a need to redefine national and international goals with a broader vision, which honors the sacredness of human life and the environment. And whereas poder has worked on behalf of east Austin residents, community groups and neighborhood associations in matters of environmental health and safety. And whereas poder continues to educate the community about issues relating to land use and affordability. And whereas in recognition that through its transportation and quality of life programs, poder has secured transportation improvements for several neighborhoods. And whereas poder, through its land use and sustainability program, has claimed great triumphs in zoning modifications. Whereas poder has integrated youth into its program and has networked with other groups representing people of color to address environmental justice issues in Texas, the southwest and at the national level. And whereas since its inception in 1991, poder has claimed great victories in advancing the principles of environmental justices through education, advocacy and action. And I would -- now therefore be it resolved that the Travis County Commissioners court here by recognizes April 22nd, 2004 as earth day and also salutes poder on their 13th year anniversary. And I move approval.
>> second.
>> we want to thank you all for recognizing poder and all of the work that we do to make our communities and the environment a better place. We would like to invite all of you and the public to poder's 13th anniversary this Thursday, April the 22nd, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. At the fiesta gardens, east, 2101 berkman. Please come out, we will be doing, we'll have ceremony, dance, poetry and music, going back to the traditional ways of honoring mother earth and so we invite the general public to come out and I will quickly turn it back to sylvia herrera.
>> good morning, sylvia herrera, health coordinator for poder. As we celebrate our 13 years, we are looking forward to another many more years in expanding some of the different topics and issues that we have addressed, including our young scholars for justice that has reached out to high school and college students and working on these very issues, including some issues that affect young people. Also, we have started looking at technology and our -- in our community, looking at education, action and mobilization of -- of technology, knowledge and skills building in our community. And, also, the -- the keepers of the colorado river, of the roy guerrero colorado river park in montopolis and working to -- developing and providing them information to the public that there's a hike and bike trail, there's a neighborhood park now in that area. And so these are just some of the things to look forward to as -- as we are continuing to develop poder and providing service to the community. Thank you.
>> I will give it to erica gonzalez who is our youth coordinator.
>> okay.
>> to say a few words.
>> hi, my name is erica gonzalez, the youth program coordinator for poder and if you attend our 13th anniversary you'll know that we are celebrating a generation of activism. And we are honoring the elders in our community as well as the future generation, the young scholars for justice. I'm the youth program coordinator for poder and our youth have been working on issues pertaining to transportation, bus riders [indiscernible], also the access for the park goes and recreation -- parks and recreation department and we have done a health survey and we have gone on trips, so this summer we are starting out and we are looking more into a juvenile justice system. So -- so I'm really happy to be here and I'm proud of -- of all of the work that poder has accomplished and we would like to see you all there at the 13th anniversary.
>> thank you.
>> thank you, all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Good luck to you.
>> good to see you.
>> suzanna, good to see you.
>> good to see you again, how are you doing?
>> nice to meet you, erica.
>> good luck to you.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 9:31 AM