Speaker 0: Okay. Why don't we just go and do? That'll make most sense. We're gonna jump to the agenda item. Okay. So why don't we go to item number 23? Madam Clerk, if we can read the item, please. The military or there actually has a presentation they.
Speaker 4: Had.
Speaker 0: Prepared. I understand they want to do the presentation during item 23. Is that is that correct? However. Yeah. Okay, so go ahead and read the item and then we'll go right into the presentation.
Speaker 1: Communication from Council Member or Ranga Vice Mayor Lowenthal and Councilman Price. Recommendation to request the city attorney to draft a resolution in support of proclaiming Long Beach a Purple Heart city.
Speaker 0: Okay. I think, Councilman, do you want to make any additional comment at this time or just turn it over to the public?
Speaker 7: Yes. One of the important designations that this comes with is that anybody who comes to Long Beach will now know that the history that we have of our service men and women who have come through Long Beach, through its past history as not only a naval station, but also with our naval hospital and currently with our veterans hospital here in Long Beach with a designation that is pretty much like any like every other city that has a designation that's out there. Alliance Club City or a Rotary City. It's a designation that recognizes the work of these individuals who in in those organizations, but who also come to Long Beach, know that as a Purple Heart city, we have a history, a tradition of people who have served in our country and have committed to the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. So I would really love to have the support of my colleagues on the side of.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilwoman Pryce. I'm sorry, Vice Mayor Lowenthal.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I appreciate that. I wanted to thank Councilmember Your Honor for asking me to co-sponsor this item and given certainly our city's role in history with World War Two as a naval shipyard, as the councilmember mentioned, an aviation manufacturer, and really our good fortune in having the veterans hospital here and Cabrillo Village is for our homeless vets, which I know recently we've made an effort with the mayor's help and support and leadership to expand homeless opportunities, opportunities for our homeless vets. I believe it's really appropriate that we support the designation of being a Purple Heart city. I'm very proud of our city and appreciate the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart for asking us to partner in honoring our vets. These are things that I think. We shouldn't take for granted, but we do because there isn't a single person that doesn't know someone that's served valiantly for our country. And I want to thank you for asking us to do this. I think it's an honor that you bestow to us. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilwoman Pryce, thank.
Speaker 2: You very much. I, too, want to thank my colleague, council member Urunga, for bringing this forward. By taking this action, the city of Long Beach pays tribute to our city's sons and daughters who are wounded or killed in combat, defending the freedoms that make this nation so great for their service and sacrifice. They receive the Purple Heart medal as home to the former Long Beach Navy Base as the vice mayor just mentioned. It is fitting that Long Beach received the designation of a Purple Heart city. Long Beach has a proud tradition dating back many years of supporting and honoring our nation's veterans, active duty, military guards, reserves and their families an inherent part of the heritage, traditions, spirit and fabric of what makes Long Beach such a unique city. Thank you for bringing this item forward, and thank you for being here tonight.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Franco.
Speaker 7: One more introduction that I will make that I. I would be remiss if I did not mention Mr. Terry Gatlin, the Executive Director of Gold Star Manor, where all our many of our veterans reside here in Long Beach. And I want I want to also recognize him as well.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And I would like to.
Speaker 10: Enlighten.
Speaker 0: People here about your.
Speaker 10: Nice, beautiful city here. Mayor girl mira garcia. Councilman you ranga. Members of the City Council and Long Beach City residents. Present at this council meeting. Allow me to introduce myself as Joseph Del Rio, Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Long Beach. Chapter 210. Foremost, I thank you for allowing me as a representative Chapter ten at this allotted time for your council meeting. At your Council meeting. My purpose and goal at your council meeting is to attempt to familiarize those present as to why your first city has been selected to become a Purple Heart city and to procure the formal approval of your city council and becoming your Purple Heart. See this joining approximately 200 other recognized, established Purple Heart cities foremost, allow me to briefly acquaint you with a significant, significant history of the Purple Heart and the patriotic role your city has played during all war engagements in 1783, the concept of the badge of military matter was first conceived by our first president, George Washington. The recognition of honor of those who had unselfishly sacrifice themselves in war by protecting and assuring our freedoms. This unselfish sacrifice has been exemplified since World War Two by the awarding of roughly 1.9 million. 1.9 million. Now rename Purple Heart medals to deserving military personnel living or dead. And many of those being residents of the city of Long Beach and all having in common the unselfish service to our country and their commitment throughout the country's military conflicts. The City of Long Beach also has a long and proud standing history of being a strategic port of embarkation for military troops since World War One, a vital military installation for Navy and Marine personnel during World War Two, and then again becoming the port of embarkation for our departing military troops during the Korean War and Vietnam. The city of Long Beach at present is also the home of approximately 20,000 veterans. And viable location that the treatment for our war injured Purple Heart and non Purple Heart patients at the Long Beach Veterans Affair Medical Center. Therefore, bearing in mind that the Purple Heart is, as we all know, it, is only awarded for wounds received in combat inclusive of death. We are requesting that the City of Long Beach declare and designate itself a Purple Heart city, thus honoring all recipients of the Purple Heart while remaining a most patriotic city committed to the recognition of the services made by all our military veterans and their families. Thank you for your Council's time and indulgence in considering our request. We shall see. We response.
Speaker 0: Thank you, sir. Is there any other public comment on this item before the council goes to a vote? Okay. Seeing none members, please go ahead and cast your vote.
Speaker 1: Motion passes nine zero.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much, sir. It's all. It's all done. And I think Councilmember Rank is going to come up with a certificate for you of recognition. And we want to thank you all for your service and for being here. And I think, sir, did you have something as well you wanted to say? I think.
Speaker 10: Yes. Mayor Garcia, Councilman Rangel, members of the city council and residents of City of Long Beach. It is my pleasure and distinct honor as commander of your established Purple Heart Chapter ten in the City language to thank you for having honored our chapter requests and this becoming your Purple Heart City. Therefore, on behalf of our Purple Heart Chapter two, Jane, it is. And it's grateful membership. We take great honor in the presentation to the special recognition award of. Rustic Recognition Award. To your fair city. And again, thank you for so graciously for coming. And undoubtedly, future sacrifices made by the Purple Heart recipients throughout our military service. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you so very much.
Speaker 11: Appreciate your. Bieber.
Speaker 7: Okay. If I could please ask the veterans to stand, we'd like to take a follow up. But I'd also like to read this Certificate of Recognition presented to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter ten. On behalf of the City of Long Beach, I would like to commend the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter ten for your leadership in declaring Long Beach as a Purple Heart city, we are proud to recognize your service and commitment to our country. Presented today, May 19th, 2015. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you very much. We're going to be moving on to item 26, please.
Speaker 1: Item number 26 Report from Financial Management. Recommendation to request the City Attorney to draft an ordinance establishing a pilot program to examine modification of certain elements of the current taxi permit and report back within six months citywide.
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution in support of Proclaiming Long Beach a "Purple Heart City".