Travis County Commissioners Court
April 22, 2008
Item 2
Number 2 is a public hearing to receive comments regarding suggestions for naming the county building at 8656-b state highway 71.
>>
>> [inaudible].
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Yes, sir.
>>
>> [inaudible].
>> well, let's hear from staff first. Then we'll receive comments.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners, shawn malone, administrative operations. The agenda item here, the public hearing to receive comments regarding suggestions for naming the county building in precinct 3, the building in which justice and the constable have their offices. Have you in your agenda backup a memorandum from alicia perez, a proposed time line, a copy of the policy and this is related to the action item number 23. So you have nine names that were suggested by the deadline. And some of the folks who offered those suggestions are hear and ready to address those suggestions whenever you are ready to hear from hem.
>> and we're ready to hear from them right now.
>> and shawn, the procedure from this point forward, can you lay that out for us? I mean, succinctly just so everybody in the courtroom knows.
>> the policy calls for a public hearing today, April 22nd and the usual and customary practice would be the ones described in the policy. You could choose to forward the recommendations received today to the Travis County historical commission. The chair of the commission is prepared for that body to consider this at their next meeting on may 7th and they would come back to you with suggestions. You could choose at that point to name the building or you haven't always done that. Sometimes there's other factors that come up between now and then, but that's the schedule that we're contemplating right now.
>> and you are here for what name?
>> judge, I知 here for evacuating naming the tower the tower heroes building.
>> sit right there. Shawn, if you will give us your seat. We have five or six chairs available so why don't we go down this list in the order the names are listed. Towers hero building first. If you are here on that name and you plan to give comments today, if you come forward at this time, it will expedite our hearing. Tower heroes building. If you are here on that name, please come forward at this time. And you don't have to give comments. I値l ask for a show of hands too. And if you would give us your full name, we would be happy to get your comments. Sorry to cut you off.
>> forest priest. We did state our case and I know your time is valuable. We have a number of people here. I知 honored to know -- to let you know that there are two gentleman here in the audience who are acally ascendedhewer th. Jerry day and milton. Jerry was one of the four men who went out on the observation deck and did uehian have to myinside the tower as left vickyof george shepherd, oe few african-american police officers at that time who did ascend the tower as well. He was on the force.
>> could you refer back to the incident? People looking at this, there are some folks that don't know the history of what you are suggesting. We mention the names and the tower and all these other kind of things, but for a person just turning on the t.v. Set, they will maybe say what is he really talking about. Give just a little history of what you are suggesting.
>> how this all came about, basically we wanted to make an inclusive naming, the opportunity of naming statement honoring all the people who were involved in the incident and who made sure the rampage ended. That included people we've listed. You have that list in front of you. That includes a good many people including civilians, a.p.d. Officers, dps officer doug cow we know. Tall men who were actually involved in the shooting and in the subduing of charles whitman on August 1, 1966, which has become known as the tower incident. We wanted to call it the tower of heroes because we didn't want to single out one person. We want to make sure it was an inclusive honored. That day lives in infamy in Austin history and is an historic event that hopefully will never be repeated. I was there that day myself. I came within four feet of being shot myself. In the 300 block of guadalupe was shot and killed named harry wallchuck. It's a memory I致e watered with me forever, always will. But our position is that we want to make sure everyone who was involved, including -- making it inclusive name, we're talking about all the law enforcement officers who were up there as well as civilians on the ground who returned fire, who risked their lives pulling wounded victims to ambulances. The a.p.d. Officers on the ground directing traffic and on and on. There were literally hundreds of people involved that day that committed brave acts. Vicky, would you care to add something?
>> exactly what he is saying. We're here to honor all that contributed to that day. We wanted to honor because they protected and defended, not just individuals but the -- you know, the city, everyone. And we would like for the families and friends to know and to have a building that would be honorable for them.
>> we also have frank holder is here today. You all know frank. His father washe whole situation as well. He actually operated the elevator and risked his own life bringing many of the law enforcement officers up to the tower. Is there anyone else I have overlooked? That's our position and you heard us at great length last time so I知 not going to take up any more of your time, but that's our position on the tower of heroes building. Any questions?
>> questions? Thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> the next recommended name is Travis County precinct 3 emergency services workers memorial building. Anybody here in favor of that name? Name number 3, southwest justice center. Southwest justice center. 4, lance armstrong building. 5, bob hunt's building. 6, samuel t. Biscoe building.
>> [laughter] my friend was serious. I知 honored. If the friend is joking, I知 laughing with him. I withdraw my name. Better simplify this matter. 7, hawks peak. Hawks peak. 8, ann richards building. Ann richards building. 9, goad even cheeked warbler building. Anybody here for this public hearing? Item number 2.
>> move the public hearing be closed.
>> second.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. That will be action item number 23 on today's agenda. We'll call it up at the appropriate time, address this separately.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:51 PM