Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilwoman Ortega. Your motion to adopt.
Speaker 4: Madam President, I move for the adoption of Proclamation 205 series of 2014.
Speaker 1: It has been moved and seconded comments by members of Council Councilwoman Ortega.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Madam President, I served on the council with Councilwoman Ramona martinez when this proclamation was brought forward, and I had the pleasure many years ago when I worked for Councilman Sal Carpio to meet Cesar Chavez, who was here during one of the the boycotts that they were doing. And, you know, they were traveling across the country trying to convince people. Why it made sense for communities all across the country to participate in the boycott, to ensure that the working conditions were safe for the workers. And when the working conditions were safe, then they could have access to bathrooms and clean water. Then they were going to be dealing with the food in a more sanitary way as well. And it was just such an honor to be able to meet such a humble man who gave so much of his life to the cause of ensuring that the farmworkers in this country had safe working conditions. Just as a quick sidebar, I don't know how many of you have had an opportunity to see the the play, the Ludlow Massacre. But in that play, it depicts some of the same working conditions that the coal miners had to live in, that the farmworkers experience. And so it really took a huge effort. And this this man paid the price with his life for all of us to be able to have the safe food that we are able to put on our tables. And over time, the working conditions did improve, the living conditions improved, the wages improved, and it took that organized effort to make all of that happen. So I just want to encourage my colleagues support of this proclamation, will have some folks who are part of the organizations come up afterwards. But I am honored to bring this forward on behalf of the Latino community. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Councilwoman Ortega, Councilwoman Kennish. Thank you, Madam President.
Speaker 5: And thank you to my colleague for bringing this proclamation forward. One of the first community activism that I engaged in in my neighborhood when I moved to Denver many years ago is petitioning for the renaming of the Cesar Chavez Park and learning about the history and the connections between Denver and the agricultural issues. Unfortunately, so many years later, so many challenges still exist for the people who grow our food. They are still exempt from many of our wage and hour protections nationally. A lot of susceptibility to abuse from employers by holding immigration status over them while also benefiting by paying them low wages. So, you know, our Colorado Legal Services does a lot of work still protecting farmworkers and carrying this legacy forward. But what I love about Cesar Chavez, as well as MLK Holiday is, you know, watching these holidays through the eyes of a child who asks, who is that and going to the park. And so every time I take my son to my neighborhood park, you know, we get to have a conversation about fighting for people's rights. And it's amazing how each each year he kind of understands a little more sophistication about what that meant to join together with other people and why, you know, that work continues today. And so I am so appreciative that this city was so forward thinking in, you know, renaming a park and having a holiday dedicated because it creates that conversation. On everyday dinner tables, just like these films create and these events create big community conversations. So thank you, councilwoman, for for accounting that history so eloquently. And to those of you who continue to carry forward work on behalf of workers who still struggle for their equal rights in our country, in our state, and in our city. Thanks.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Council. Councilman Lopez.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to thank my council. Woman And she is my councilwoman. Technically, I get to vote for you. I wanted it and think I'm Councilwoman Debbie Ortega for bringing this proclamation forward. And I also wanted to say she mentioned it and I actually wanted I wanted to say this, but I wanted to actually thank her for her leadership when this was an issue. And also because Councilwoman Ortega worked really hard to dedicate 38th Avenue to Cesar Chavez Boulevard a long time ago. And I want to make sure that she understands that, you know, those of us in the West that are really inspired about that and we haven't forgot about that , I think it's amazing when we are able to recognize somebody who was so humble, never made more than $13,000 a year, and his whole life dedicated himself to that cause. And he was and always Cesar Chavez is a great book. It's called Conquering Goliath. And it was Cesar Chavez, his life, you know, as told by Fred Ross and who was with him around the time. It's such a wonderful book and it really talks about, you know, a person, a regular person who grew up in an. In the ghettos of outside of the South spoilers, which is get out if you can, this exact translation of the community you lived in and just begin by doing voter registration. And there are so many people who are just waiting for someone to knock on their door to get them involved. And that is how a person like so that Chavez began. That is how a woman like Dolores Huerta, who was a co-founder of the union, who had 11 children and still found it to be one of the most you know, she is one of the most primary incredible activists that a woman in our lifetime who was still alive, still organizing in the day I saw her on Sabado Gigante which those of you know that it's like it's it's basically price is right but Spanish at night with crazy music and all kinds of crazy stuff going on. She was on there talking about the cause still, right. And she still makes her way to Denver because she has family and and where she still, you know, always had the opportunity to sit down and eat with her. You know, one of the best times is one of the best memories of sitting with her was in Washington, D.C., in a and a bar where she drank all of us under the table. And she said with the you know, Paul. She says Cesar Chavez loved being in Colorado. And it is a shame today that even though he visited it, even though they were big supporters, even though folks in Denver, from Denver to Chicago to Florida to New York, all boycotted grapes to support the union. Farmworkers in Colorado still cannot organize, not because they don't have the right to, not because it is illegal for them by Colorado law to form a union. And if all you have to do, if you really support this are Chavez and I'm going to really talk about was say sure quote It's one thing to say I support Cesar Chavez. I support that. I remember back in the day and I boycotted grapes. Right. Well, in the year 2014, all you have to try all you have to do is drive up I-25 or drive up 80 all the way north to Greeley. And you'll see those same farmworkers bent over picking crops in 110 degree weather. They deserve to have those same rights that farmworkers in California do. Our farm workers in Texas do. And it is up to us to apply those lessons that we have learned in the past, especially those civil rights and human rights lessons now. And it's one thing and I'm going to say, this is what Cesar Chavez said. Right. Quote unquote, talk is cheap. It's the way we organize and use our lives every day that defines who we are and what we believe in. And kind of paraphrased there. But that's exactly what this holiday means. So it's not just a high as the people take a day off. It's a day of service. As Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be a day of service. A day of action, not a day of leisure. And so, you know, I'm very proud to see this proclamation come through these council chambers read by a councilwoman who was very integral, along with Councilwoman Ramona martinez, and making sure that this holiday existed. And it was Denver City Council as a whole. And I believe this. I remember the day that they adopted it. I was sitting right there in the pews. So anyway, I love these proclamations. I love being able to celebrate this day. Thank you, Madam President.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Lopez. Councilwoman Monteiro.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Madam President, I also want to thank my colleague, Councilwoman Debbie Ortega, and Councilwoman Ramona martinez. If you're out there watching, hello to you and your family, one of my favorite quotes from Cesar Chavez is when you have people together who believe in something very strongly, whether it's religion or politics or unions, things happen. And his clarion call of Si Se Puede has probably resonated with so many people that believe in their cause and believe in how they think humanity should be equal in our society. Each year that we've done this, this proclamation, it never fades and it never pales. The words that are said in these proclamations, because each year they become stronger. To me, because of the times that we live in, it's so easy for people to sort of overlook one another when times are good, and it's really easy for people to look over, overlook each other when times are bad. And when we have holidays like this, there are remembrance of the legacy that many of us live by. And to be able to be rooted in, connected to that history, to that philosophy and that time of United States history is very, very important. So thank you again, Councilman Ortega, for sponsoring this. And I will be supporting.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Monteiro. And looks like we're ready for roll call, Mr. Secretary.
Speaker 4: ORTEGA Hi.
Speaker 3: Rob Shepherd. I'm Brooks Brown. I thought I. Herndon. I can teach. Lemon Hi. Lopez I can tell you, I never I and I'm president.
Speaker 1: High counselor, in fact.
Speaker 4: So that's.
Speaker 1: That's fine. And please close the voting and announce the results.
Speaker 3: 39, zero and.
Speaker 1: 13 as it passes unanimously. Councilman Ortega, is there somebody you'd like to ask up to the podium?
Speaker 4: Yes, there is. I want to ask Cecilia Flores and others who are okay, the Sanchez and I'm sorry, I don't know your name who are here with the AARP group, if you would come to the podium. Those of you who I don't know if you could introduce yourself, I would appreciate it. And let me just say, while you're doing that, that Cecilia Flores, her dad, knew Cesar Chavez very well and worked very closely together.
Speaker 5: So I thank you. I'm here on behalf of this estate, Chavez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver. My name is Amr Gonzalez. Thank you, Madam President, and current and past city council members for recognizing the annual Cesar Chavez March and celebration. With the commitment of community and and politicians, Denver residents to acknowledge and celebrate a true American hero says that each others yes as who Chavez is an American citizen and recognition of Cesar Chavez holiday, the Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver, cordially invite City Council citizens of Denver to join us as we honor this American hero during the 13th annual Cesar Chavez March and celebration this Saturday, March 29th. This Ussery Chavez Peace and Justice March has been celebrated for 12 years here in Denver. Its purpose is to educate the general public relative to the many contributions that Cesar Chavez made in the area of social and human rights. In this country in general and the farm workers in particular, in order to to continue his legacy, because the struggle of that of the United Farm Workers, we're engaged in American society. Farm workers now have more benefits, more decent working conditions and a better wage. The event is also a celebration of in honor of this American hero. The event begins with a Catholic mass followed by a march, then a celebration. During the celebration, speakers, poets, dancers and musicians share the legacy of society. Chavez and his work toward human rights and social justice. Thousands of Denver citizens were instrumental in the position needed in naming the Street Chavez Park in 2006. As a great leader once said, We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our humanity. Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others for their sake and her for our own society. Chavez. Arcilla Victoria.
Speaker 4: My name is Cecilia Flores. And thank you, Madam President, and council people. I really do have a word to prepare, but I would just like to say that through my father, Tim Flores, I did get to meet Cesar Chavez twice and have met the laws with them numerous times. But he was such a humble man and he listened. And I know my father was inspired by him. And I think Cesar was inspired by my father because my father worked in the fields. I did it for one week. And that was because my think my father wanted to make sure we went to school. He says this is the alternative. And so I so I never I almost cut my thumb doing onions. But I didn't. But we did also I to there is the movie on Friday but it is a movie but on Monday at and I'm going to see this wrong sorry, sorry. Theater, which is next to the terror cover on Colfax. And Elizabeth, we will have a documentary on surfers last fast at 7:00. So you are invited to go to that? I have seen the previews of that. It's wonderful. So thank you. And thank you again for this powerful emotion. Councilman Ortega, thank you so much.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Ms..
Speaker 5: Flores. Hello, R-Truth. Rick Sanchez and I would.
Speaker 4: Say are we are on the AARP.
Speaker 5: Advisory Latino Advisory Committee called.
Speaker 4: El Comité.
Speaker 5: It is our duties, responsibilities to.
Speaker 4: Bring the voice of the.
Speaker 5: Latinos, what their needs are and their concerns, and to carry that out.
Speaker 4: So I feel privileged to be here.
Speaker 5: Cesar Chavez every time I look at a lettuce or grape and I get very emotional. I really appreciate.
Speaker 4: The work and the sacrifice that they have brought.
Speaker 5: So that we can have this.
Speaker 4: Wonderful food at our table. So thank you, Councilman. Woman Debbie Ortega thank you all city council for your service and work in the city of Denver.
Speaker 1: Thank you for your service. Not quite finished yet. Councilman Lopez, you had a comment.
Speaker 0: You know, I forgot to make this announcement during the announcement, so I may do it. And it ties right into the Cesar Chavez holiday. The one person who would always do the math for the holiday, for Cesar Chavez, the march. Father Tomas Fraley. Oh, because he passed away last week.
Speaker 5: Yes.
Speaker 0: And he was the founder of Saint Catches in church going out. So from when it got closed down at an area to make way for the college campus, a lot of those folks got displaced. The residents got displaced. The church got this place. So there's two engaged in churches, one in the Lower West Side and one on the Upper West Side over there. Father Tomas would always be very happy to do this math. And when he did this mass and talked about the farm workers, talked about Cesar Chavez, and remember and it's all these stories , you just kind of came alive. What are these these social justice times? And they were always very spiritual people. Right. And so it's fitting that we also recognize the work of Father Thomas Friday, who worked very hard for the people in West Denver and was just an amazing, amazing leader who touched so many lives. I could tell you from cradle to council, he was my spiritual guy. And so it goes hand in hand with that kind of work that that was being done on behalf of all those people. So, you know, in memoriam and in his memory as well to you know, want to recognize that.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Guardsman Lopez, so nice memorial. Okay, we're moving on to the next proclamation. Number 248. I'll be reading this one, thanking Dr. Nita Mosby Henry for her service to the city and county of Denver. Whereas Dr. Anita Moseby Henry stars your job as executive director of Denver's Career Service Authority Office. On January 17th, 2012, the first African-American woman to head the 59 year old Denver Agency, having served nine years on the Career Service Board, appointed by Mayor Webb and Mayor Hickenlooper. And. Whereas, she immediately set about overhauling the agency an update signified by her successful campaign to change the name to the Denver Office of Human Resources. And. Whereas, Dr. Henry designed a major agency redesign focused on delivering invaluable service, launched the Inclusivity Project, and made the city more inclusive and integrated in the communities it serves and paved the way for the city to become a true learning organization through the development of Denver City Employee University. And. Whereas, she has received national recognition for her work with companies and organizations in health care and service delivery. She is the founder and director of the Kaleidoscope Project, a community based organization designed to increase social and health equity within Denver communities. And she serves or has served several organizations, including one Colorado, the Local and National Human Rights Campaign, the Colorado Tobacco Review Committee, the Black Health Collaborative Education Committee, and the Disparities Action Committee. Whereas Dr. Henry is leaving the City of Cancer to pursue other opportunities and continue her service to the community. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Council of the City and County of Denver, this section one, the Council hereby recognizes Miss Nita Mosby, Henry, and thanks her for her work in Denver and the strides she has made in updating the Denver Office of Human Resources Section two that the Clerk of the city and county of Denver shall attested affixed the seal of the city and county of Denver to this proclamation, and that a copy be transmitted transmitted to Dr. Nita Mosby. Henry so I move that this proclamation be adopted.
Speaker 4: Second.
Speaker 1: And it has been seconded comments. I just want to thank Dr. Mosby Henry for I always want to call you Mosby, but for all your service to our city and I wish you great luck in your future endeavors, I know that you'll be just as great there as you have been for us.
Speaker 5: Appreciate it.
Speaker 1: Councilman Brooks.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Madam President. Dr. Henry is not only, you know, a friend, a community leader, but also an incredible transformative leader in this city. And how I kind of define leadership is consistency of message. And one thing that I've heard consistent from what Dr. Henry has done is inclusivity. Diversity is no longer the standard. It's about shared values, it's about inclusivity. And it's been amazing to see her transform this agency. But also, you know, I was just with some members of the sheriff's department. I had no idea she was training them in inclusivity and they were raving about, you know, the time spent with Dr. Henry . And so, you know, we we were privileged to have her for just a short time. And, of course, I wish we could have. I think we all wish we could have a little bit more time with her in this position. But I am I'm very confident that at Children's Hospital she's going to continue to make a difference. And she's still the neighborhood president at Whittier. So I know she's going to be transforming things in our neighborhood. So I want to thank you so much for your service, Dr. Henry. I can't see you because there's a computer, right. And you look beautiful over there. And thank you for just for that message of inclusivity and impact in my life and the way that I talk about what it means to truly have shared values and lead from that perspective. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Councilman Brooks, Councilwoman Fox.
Speaker 4: Thank you very much, Madam President. Well, I will really miss your advancing, bold ideas in personnel reform. That was very important to do. I've really enjoyed our conversations, and I know you have a great commitment to mentoring. I mean, I can list so many things that I just have admired so much of. Children's Hospital is lucky. We will look forward to seeing great things for you there.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Councilwoman Fox, Councilman Levitt.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Madam President. I feel weird calling you Dr. Henry Moseby. Moseby. But Moseby like Cher, maybe. Anyway, Nina Henry, we barely knew you. And the loss is ours. You've done a lot in the short time that you've been here. The city. I wish you weren't going, but certainly wish you well. I've enjoyed every minute of working with you while you were here, and I look forward to additional opportunities in the future to do the same.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman.
Speaker 5: Councilwoman Kennish. Thank you, Madam President. It's funny, we do a lot of community proclamations from this dais, as well as retirements or folks departing the city. And when I think about UNITA, I think about so much. We could be doing just a community based proclamation. You know, the work that you did making civil unions happen in a state by helping to create and grow one, Colorado is going to forever be lasting and the equal rights history of this state. And so for me, that was that was high on the list when I heard you were leaving the city. It's funny, because the first thing I thought is, where else could she go? Because, you know, she's and I thought, health, it's health. And of course, such a passion of yours. And you've really made it into not so much a delivery system, but a cult of engagement, which I just think is really amazing. And that legacy also lives beyond you in the community. And so I know that the legacies that you created internally in a department that, you know, had had some bumps and its confidence level in the city will also live beyond you. And so for those reasons, I can accept saying goodbye because I know that all of that that loop, that path that you leave behind you benefits us in so many ways. And because, like others have said, I know that we'll continue to see you. So thank you so much for your contributions here and elsewhere and good luck.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilwoman Kennish. Councilman Herndon.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Madam President. I just it is a it is a sad day because the city is losing a true champion, though her impact will continue to be felt because she will still be active in the community making change. And I just want to say thank you for our personal conversations, your candor as someone who always tells it like it is. And that is certainly something that is needed throughout all levels of government through the community. So I really appreciate those conversations and I'm sure our paths will cross always. Thank you, Native, for all that you've done.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Herndon. Councilwoman Ortega.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Madam President. I want to ask that my name be added to the proclamation. All right. Neither. I want to thank you for all your contributions. You will be missed. And I want to wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilwoman. I said. All right. Looks like it's time for roll call. Hi.
Speaker 3: Brooks Brown. I thought I. Herndon. I mean, I am in Lopez. Hi, Montero. I never I fatigue.
Speaker 4: I rob.
Speaker 3: Shepherd.
Speaker 1: And Councilwoman Kennish. Thank you, Matt. Mr. Secretary, I keep one and call you madam. Mr. Secretary, would you please close the voting and announce the results? 13,013 I0 nays. It passes unanimously. Dr. Henry, would you like to come up to the podium and say a few words?
Speaker 5: Thank you, Madam President and council. Rarely am I speechless, but I'm a bit speechless today since I didn't know what this was. I'd like to first thank my staff. You know, this is a bittersweet transition. It's one thing to have a job and leave a job. It's quite another one to have love and leave love. And that's what this experience working in the city and county has been for me. It's been filled with love to the point where.
Speaker 6: It hasn't felt like.
Speaker 5: Work. I really have been fortified as a leader from this experience with the city and county of Denver, and that's something that I think I can take with me wherever I go. I'm very thankful for being blessed with this role to lead the Office of Human Resources at this time. I think this was my time, and I think now it's the time for other leaders to take it to the next step. I'm very grateful to this mayor and to this council and to this wonderful team called the Office of Human Resources for believing in Me at a time where all of the details weren't there yet and the team went with me anyway. I'd also say to you that it's been.
Speaker 1: A gift to have.
Speaker 5: Been a part of an agency that has the city's most tenured employee in it, Albertine Sellers, who is in her 59th year with the city and county of Denver. And to be able to be blessed enough to be the leader of an agency with that type of history in it, in and of itself.
Speaker 1: Was a gift.
Speaker 5: So thank you for recognizing me in this way. Thank you for all of this wonderful journey that we've.
Speaker 1: Had together.
Speaker 5: And know that I'm with you, but from a different seat.
Speaker 1: Thank you very much, Dr. Henry. Okay. Moving right along. And in the spirit of taking things out of the order, I forgot to make an announcement which was to congratulate Councilman Herndon on an excellent, inspiring, inspiring speech as a keynoter at 40 under 40 at the Denver Business Journal last Friday. Just want to thank you for great representation of the council and for your wonderful speech. Good. Well, well done. We are ready to move on to the resolutions. Mr. Secretary, will you please read the resolutions.
A proclamation in recognition of the César E. Chávez Holiday. A proclamation in recognition of the Cesar Chavez Holiday.