Travis County Commissioners Court
July 26, 2005
Item 2
Number 2 is to approve resolution recognizing deborah stkrupl Monday for her many years of service to Travis County. And there is a proclamation being signed. And should I read the resolution? Proclamation?
>> yes.
>> it reads: whereas deborah drummond has served the Travis County health and human services department services for the deaf and hard of hearing for over 21 years and many roles including case manager, supervisor of interpreter services and program manager. Whereas deborah drummond has -- and her dedicated staff has led Travis County services for the deaf and hard of hearing to national recognition as an exemplary program by the national association of counties. And deborah was instrumental in establishing Travis County services for the deaf and hard of hearing as a model of excellence for comprehensive services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Whereas deborah drummond has helped improve the quality of interpretive services available to Travis County through advanced training programs that enable Travis County interpreters to acquire advanced certification. And court interpreter certification ensuring that deaf citizens receive quality communication access to county government. Whereas deborah drummond is recognized by her peers at Travis County health and human services as an exemplary public servant for her efforts to obtain services for deaf people at little or no cost to Travis County and as best communicator, that's in quotes, for her efforts to inform and communicate with all employees and enhance interdepartmental communication. Whereas deborah drummond has served the Travis County health and human services and veterans services and its employees as co-chair for the partnership council as an a sme staff representative for four whole years. Whereas deborah drummond has influenced policy makers, executive leadership, co-workers, community partners, and all who would open their hearts -- that means the Commissioners court there -- and hear her passionate pleas for equal access to all citizens by serving as a catalyst, facilitator and advocate through her participation in many diverse community initiatives. And whereas deborah drum manned has served with other groups to advance the cause of access and accommodation through her participation in national disability mentoring day planning 2004, the americans with disabilities act act 10-year anniversary planning committee 2000, and the planning committee for community conversation 2005, community vision for people with disabilities. Now be it resolved that we the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby extend special thanks and best wishes in all future endeavors to deborah drummond for her years of dedicated service and the impact she has had on the lives of countless citizens who are deaf and hard of hearing and to all who have had the priceless -- the privilege of her kofpl passionate evacuation and steadfastness in support of quality for all our citizens. We will truly miss her. That's why I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> good morning. Judge, Commissioners, sherri fleming, executive manager for health and human services and veterans services. We certainly have mixed emotions this morning. We certainly would want deborah to go forward and have just a wonderful retirement, but we certainly realize that we are truly losing a champion and advocate for all persons with disabilities and not just those who are deaf or hard of hearing. And so health and human services certainly wishes her well, but we're a little sad this morning because deborah has been the embodiment of the vision mission and objectives of health and human services and so she has truly been a passionate and wonderful employee. And i'll pass to her immediate supervisor, deborah brit ton, our director of community services.
>> good morning. Sherry is very correct -fplgt I did everything I could to talk deborah out of retiring, but I do believe that someone who has spent as many years as she has championing the rights of people who are deaf and hard of hearing, it is really time for her to be able to spread her wings in different ways. She has assured me she will still be available to us and I think she will be a stronger advocate now that she is free to pursue a lot of her passions. And I would just like to thank her for the time i've had working with her. She has taught me a great deal about how to advocate in a respectful and passionate way. And I really thank her for that and I wish her well in the future.
>> thank you, Commissioners. I appreciate it. I appreciate the opportunity to have worked for the county. It has been a matter of pride to be able to say I work for Travis County. And I will be proud to say that I retired from Travis County. And you probably have not seen the last of me. I may be here in public comment. [laughter] but thank you for your support for deaf services and thank you for your support of health and human services, and I look forward to seeing you in different roles in the future.
>> some of her staff are here as well. [applause]
>> many years of dedicated service. We appreciate it very much.
>> I would have to say thank you on behalf of bexana kahn, who fought to get the deaf community included in the county government family. And she is still around. She is still there and so I would have to just in her behalf as well thank you so much.
>> in terms of putting it on a bumper sticker, you made a difference. That is one of the things if somebody can walk out of here saying you made a difference, and if you don't know it, we are all here to tell you so. You did it with passion and respect and amazing advocacy. Thank you.
>> and for your 21 years of service, we have a priceless proclamation, more valuable than a rolex watch. Along with our congratulations, best wishes and we do know how to reach you.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> thank you for your service.
>> thank you.
>> no, thank you.
>> you are required to take this with you, ms. Drummond. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
>> take care. I know you are going to stay busy.
>> we've already had the going away celebration.
>> yes, I did.
>> we were not invited, but -- [laughter]
>> actually, judge, that's not true.
>> some of us were invited. [laughter]
>> that's even worse. Congratulations to you.
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.
Last Modified:
Wednesday, July 27, 2005 7:49 AM