City Council Proclamations
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What proclamation opens the Austin City Council meeting and why is Emergency Medical Services Week being honored?
I tell everybody else to do that, why can't I do it? Do as I say, not as I do. I want to say good morning to everybody. Welcome to Austin City Hall. We have a busy day ahead of us, but it's a good day. And part of the reason it's a good day is we're going to kick it off with a special proclamation honoring people that I feel very close to and the whole city deeply, deeply appreciates. So let me read this proclamation that's being held by our chief, Rob Lukritz. Be it known that whereas emergency medical services professionals I talk for a living. Let me start that over. Be it known that whereas emergency medical services professionals serve as a vital component of the healthcare system, providing rapid, life-saving care to residents and visitors of Austin at all hours of the day and night, and whereas for 50 years, Austin-Travis County EMS has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the community, responding to hundreds of thousands of calls for service
and continually advancing the practice of mobile healthcare. And whereas Austin's EMS professionals embody a progressive approach to healthcare by striving to provide the right resource to the right person at the right time, improving outcomes while responsibly stewarding public resources, And whereas paramedics, EMTs, telecommunicators and support personnel work in close coordination with hospitals, public safety partners and community organizations to ensure a comprehensive and effective emergency response system. And whereas during times of crisis, disaster and daily emergencies alike, EMS professionals demonstrate exceptional skill, compassion and dedication, often making critical decisions
under the most challenging circumstances. And whereas EMS Week provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the contributions, sacrifices, and professionalism of these individuals who serve on the front lines of public health and safety. Now, therefore, I, Kirk Watson, Mayor of the City of Austin, Texas, do hereby proclaim May 17th through 23rd, 2026 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Austin, Texas. I want to ask our great chief to say a few words on behalf of our EMS. And I want to say, even with the proclamation, bears underscoring and underlining how much we appreciate what you and all of your folks do. Thank you very much, sir.
Be very brief. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for all the support and for all the great work that all of our Austin Travis County EMS medics, clinical specialists and support staffs do every single day. This past year has really been a monumental year for the city of Austin and Central Texas. We've been through a lot of various events and every single time the men and women of the Austin Travis County EMS have stepped up to serve both the residents and visitors of Austin, Travis County, and quite frankly, all of Central Texas. And I can't say enough how humbled I am to be their chief and how proud I am. I will say I did a little bit of research, Mayor, and so I think back to the first time that you were mayor, back in your first set of terms.
You were about 10, right? About that. In 2001, 25 years ago, the theme for EMS week was answering the call. This year, the theme for EMS week is improving outcomes together. And when you think about the evolution of Austin-Travis County EMS and all the great work that we've been able to do here with the support of our elected officials and Mayor Watson, again, thank you for the many years of support to help grow this department. You can see the evolution of EMS and changing how it is that we think about responding to calls transitioning from answering calls to really changing how the community is. And we're so proud at Austin-Travis County EMS to be on the forefront of that and to be leading the charge in this country for how it is that we handle EMS in the United States.
And so thank you very much, Mayor.
Thank you.
Appreciate it.
Do you want to take a picture over here? We have with us Councilmember Jose Velasquez and Councilmember Mark Duchin.
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