Travis County Commissioners Court

June 26, 2012 - Item 5
Agenda

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5, consider and take appropriate action on proclamation declaring June 30, 212 el Barrio Veterans Parade Day in Travis County.

>> Thank you, Commissioner.
I'm going to read the proclamation for this important parade and celebration in the barrio.
Whereas Travis County acknowledges and honors all those men and women who have served in the armed forces in defense of the united states.
And whereas if con sill yes, a coalition of mexican-american neighborhoods in east Austin seeks to recognize the service of Travis County men and women and honor them with a pre-fourth of July el barrio veterans parade within the neighborhood of east Austin.
Whereas the league of united latin american citizens, lulac, district 12, shares the desire of el concilio to honor those serving in the armed forces and on Saturday, July 30, 2012, the parade led by the color guard will start down east cesar chavez street at 10:00 a.m.
And travel west to chicon street and turn east to fiesta gardens at edward rendon park.
And whereas certain other neighborhood businesses such as ibc bank, Austin energy, and the east side lumber company wish to support el el conciliot and Travis County residents are asked to owner veterans past and present.
The Commissioners court declares Saturday, June 30, 2012, as el barrio veterans parade day and supports the efforts to sponsor el barrio veterans parade and I move approval.

>> Second.

>> Good morning.

>> Judge, Commissioners, Commissioner Gomez, nice to meet you all.
I am the active coordinator and emcee for the event a June 30th.
A bunch of us got together after visiting the johnson 37 now, which are the 37 members of johnson high school who have passed away.
Actually got killed in the vietnam war.
Since then many have passed away.
All these all graduates from johnson high school.
But we also have quite a few veterans in east Austin and we've had time to honor those who live within our own community in east Austin so we decided to have a parade, a pre-fourth of July parade, June 30th and July 1st.
So get involved in the last few minutes.
I've organized other things but never a parade.
But it's been a good experience for me.
I have with me one of our veterans.
I'll have him introduce himself, who he is and why he lives in east Austin.
He knows a lot of the veterans who live in our community.
It is el barrio, it is our neighborhood and a lot of men and women have served from our community and we felt it's time to honor them and thank them.
As I teach all my students you, see a veteran, you walk up and shake their hands and say thank you for your service to our country.
This is what all my students do.
It is important to give thanks for protecting us for many, many years.
I'll go ahead and introduce yourself, mr. Del.

>> My name is joe del rio.
I will be participating in the parade on Saturday.
And the reason would be to create an awareness of all the people that came from our area and served in the armed forces in the different branches.
I've served on active duty for several different times and I'd like our younger people that are growing up now to see how many people that come from the area actually do serve.
I myself in times past have served with a lot of people who are no longer here anymore.
They died on battlefields all over the world.
And they were proud to go and if they had to do it over again, I know they would do it in the same way.
And I just want everybody else to know of the sacrifices that they did and the ones that are here so that there will be pride within the people that come from there.

>> Thank you.

>> You are very modest.
He retired staff sergeant of the united states air force and then he rejoined the national guard.
Continue serving until he finally retired.
One of the things we want to do, Commissioners, is teach a moment for a lot of people who come into our country.
We're going to have a one-hour service.
We're going to have female and male speak about the significance of fourth of July and what it means to be a soldier and that significance.
Commissioner Gomez, asked to be there to talk about the significance of the fourth of July.
While we as mexican-americans celebrate this holiday to teach other people in the community who are not from this country and understand why we as americans celebrate the independence of our country and we thank you very much.

>> Thank you.

>> All in favor?
That passes by unanimous vote.
Thank you all very much.
Good luck to you.

>> [applause]

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