Travis County Commissioners Court
February 26, 2008
Item 2
2. Approve proclamation recognizing byron marshall for receiving the 2007 "marks of excellence award" from the national forum for black public administrators
>> should I read the proclamation?
>> yes, judge, thank you.
>> it reads: whereas the national forum for black public administrators nfbpa is a professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of black leadership in the public sector, whereas founded in 1983 the nfbpa membership includes managers and executives in all disciplines, represented in state and local governments, in addition to public service professionals the association's membership embraces graduate students, deans and faculty at schools and public administration and executives in the corporate sector. Whereas the central Texas chapter of the national forum for black public administrators is honoring mr. Byron marshall, the recipient of the 2007 excellence award presented at its national conference in phoenix, arizona. Byron were you out there in phoenix?
>> yes, sir.
>> [laughter]
>> whereas the marks of excellence award is the highest award bestowed upon an african-american public administrator, who has achieved extraordinary success in the field of public management while demonstrating unselfish commitment to the community, whereas mr. Marshal has been a member of nfbpa on the local and national level since its inception and his career in public administration has spanned over 25 years in five major u.s. Cities, including Austin, where he served five years as first assistant city manager. Whereas currently mr. Marshal is the president and c.e.o. Of the Austin revitalization authority and has brought forth significant progress in the redevelopment of the central east Austin corridor, particularly, on east 11th and 12th streets and whereas we have greatly benefited from byron marshall's wisdom, experience, compassion and hard work and are indebted to him for his outstanding service. Now therefore be it resolved that we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby recognize byron marshall for his outstanding commitment as a public servant. Encourage all residents of Travis County to join us in congratulating him for receiving this deserving recognition. I move approval.
>> second.
>> all right.
>> thank you, judge and Commissioners. Deborah britain. I am the community services division director for Travis County health and human services and veterans services. Today I’m also representing the local chapter of the national forum for black public administrators, which is called the central Texas chapter. And I am the vice-president of that chapter. And we also have our president, mr. Eddie washington, who is here as well. And we have several members out in the audience. We have been working very hard to get our chapter going again. And we felt the best way to do that would be to recognize mr. Marshall at this time. Because that is one of the highest awards that is presented by that organization and many of you may know of his work in this community. But byron is well known throughout the nation as a tireless advocate and also a great public administrator. So it is our pleasure to be able to present him with this proclamation today. And I don't know if mr. Washington has any comments that he would like to make.
>> thank you for -- for recognizing this significant accomplishment as has the nation. We certainly appreciate your support in this effort. Thank you.
>> thank you.
>> byron, would you like to make any comments?
>> I would just like to thank you for the recognition and I really enjoyed working in this community. The last 25 years have been --
>> [laughter] -- well, the award itself from my peers was really a capstone to my career. And getting these recognitions from -- from my colleagues here in the county and from the Commissioners court just accentuate the importance of it. Thank you so much.
>> thank you.
>> [ applause ] 7.
>> judge, gus pena, I am a native east Austin night. I know this man personally and professionally. Sometimes we criticize people without acknowledging their feats, the acts of kindness towards humanity. He is very humble and honest, I’m not going to speak for everybody else but I will speak for someone that know you and the work that you have done from the hispanic community and americano community. I’m a mexican and american dissent. This man is highly professional, respectful, a man of great integrity. People have criticized him in the past, forget that. We people in the community know about him and his big heart and his positive approach to the people. Let's not forget about that. He didn't ask me to come speak. Nobody asked me to come speak, I am speaking on my own behest because I feel that people need to be recognized when they do good deeds, I think mr. -- I don't think, I know mr. Marshall will continue to do a good job in and for the best interests of the people and in whatever association it was is long overdue, he should have been recognized a long time ago. God bless you, sir, thank you for everything that you have done. That's all that I have to say
>> [ applause ]
>> mr. Marshall -- I’ve known mr. Marshall many years myself, he made me change my gift giving policy. Let me share this story. Byron I can't pass it up, I’m sorry. I used to take a gift to the going away party for friends. When byron quit the city, I of course followed that practice and took a gift there, which byron received, I correct -- byron later changed his mind about leaving and ended up staying here.
>> [laughter] so now if you are leaving I give the gift 90 days later.
>> [laughter] but he's done a great job for us. And glad he's still here.
>> byron, we've had a long relationship, too. And that community of which I represent today, east Austin and the things that are happening up along the corridor and it's been some very pleasing experiences that we've had. Been some up and down challenges that we've had. But overall I thank you for being there for me. The door always have been open to us as a community as a whole. So again I think that you have done an excellent job. I think it's an award very deserved. Thank you for your service.
>> thank you.
>> okay.
>> thank you.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Mr. Marshall do you want to get this proclamation or walk out without it?
>> [laughter]
>> we know this pales in comparison to the huge gifts you got out there in phoenix.
>> [laughter]
>> good to see you.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:09 PM