[00:00:47]
>> GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 3, 2018.
>> MAYOR, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD CITY, SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
AT THIS TIME WE WILL BEGIN OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS SCHEDULED WITH AN INVOCATION, GUEST OF COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
REVEREND, IF YOU COULD JOIN US.
I HAVE A FEW KIND WORDS ABOUT YOU.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT REVEREND THOMAS.
HE WAS BORN IN 1916 IN LOUISIANA.
HE'S THE 15TH OF 17 CHILDREN IN HIS FAMILY.
HE ENTERED THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.
HE MAJORED IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND OBTAINED THE RANK OF CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT, THE HIGHEST ENLISTED RANK IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.
THAT IS A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
ANSWERING GOD'S CALL TO TEACH AND PREACH THE WORD OF GOD HE BEGAN HIS MENTORSHIP WITH THE WEST RIDGE PARK FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
HE HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED THE LORD, HAVING DISPLAYED A DEVOTION AND LOVE FOR GOD.
HE WAS CALLED BY THE LORD IN THE WEST RIDGE PARK FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH TO BE THE FIFTH PASTOR IN THEIR HISTORY.
AND ON MAY 26, 2013 REVEREND THOMAS BEGAN HIS PASTORAL SERVICES AS THE LEAD SHEPHERD OF WEST RIDGE PARK FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE REASON I CONNECTED AND I THOUGHT ABOUT PASTOR THOMAS FOR THIS IS WE WERE OUT IN HIS PARKING LOT ONE DAY AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT A DARK CORNER WHERE THE LIGHTS KEPT GETTING KNOCKED OUT.
AND HE TOLD ME, GREG, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING FROM A CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OVER A LIGHTBULB.
LIKE WE SPENT TIME TALKING ABOUT HIS PARKING LOT, THE KIDS, THE FAMILY, THE LIGHTS, WHAT WAS GOING ON, THE PARK NEXT TO IT.
AND WHAT STUNNED ME IS IT STUNS ME EVERY TIME I GET TO DEAL WITH A MEMBER OF FAITH IS HOW THEY SIT THERE AND THEY CARE JUST FOR THINGS OUTSIDE OF THEIR CHURCH, RIGHT? AND EVERYTHING IS A SERVICE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM.
A SIMPLE LIGHTBULB WAS A PASSION FOR HIM.
AND THAT BLEEDS OUT INTO THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY FOR ME.
YOU'RE A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT YOU'RE HERE TODAY, ESPECIALLY ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
THE WORDS YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE US TODAY ARE GOING TO SPEAK VOLUMES TO THE FUTURE.
MY COLLEAGUES, I GIVE YOU REVEREND DWAYNE THOMAS.
>> AS MAYOR NIRENBERG AND THE CITY COUNCIL, DIGNITARIES, AND CITIZENS OF ALL RACES AND NATIONALITIES COME TOGETHER TODAY IN YOUR PRESENCE IN THE SPIRIT OF BROTHERLY LOVE AS WE MARK THE TRICENTENNIAL FOUNDERS DAY OF THIS CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
WE PRAY, O LORD, THAT YOU GRANT US THIS DAY A SPIRIT OF ONENESS AS WE CELEBRATE THE 300 YEARS OF DIVERSITY AND HERITAGE FROM A MELTING POT OF GOD'S PEOPLE.
WE ASK THAT YOU CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF HARMONY AND JOY THAT WILL TOUCH THE HEARTS OF ALL WHO HAVE GATHERED HERE TODAY.
FOR 300 YEARS YOU HAVE WATCHED OVER THIS CITY IN TIME OF CHALLENGE, IN TIMES OF TRIALS, IN TIMES OF WAR, IN TIMES OF CHANGE.
WE ASK THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE BLESSING THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY, THIS NATION, AND THIS WORLD.
FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THE UNITED NATION OF VISITORS WHO TRAVELED FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THIS WORLD TO BE A PART OF THIS CELEBRATION.
WE PRAY, LORD, THAT YOU LET US BE GOOD HOSTS THAT SOME MAN,
[00:05:03]
WOMAN, BOY, OR GIRL WILL FEEL THE HOSPITALITY, THE INCLUSIVENESS, THE WARMTH AND LOVE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE SAN ANTONIO AS WE SHOUT OUT WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR CITY'S 300TH FOUNDERS CELEBRATION.TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE WELL-BEING OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
LET THE HOLY SPIRIT WALK ACROSS THE WATERS OF THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR MINDS WITH HUMANITY AND DIGNITY.
IN TIMES, LORD, WHEN SO MANY SEEK TO SERVE THEMSELVES, CROWN THEM WITH HUMILITY AND INTEGRITY THAT THEY MAY BE EVER MINDFUL OF THE PEOPLE THAT THEY SERVE.
IN ALL THINGS, LORD, ENDOW THEM WITH A VISION TEMPERED WITH A FORM OF INTELLIGENCE, COMPASSION, AND COMMITMENT THAT THEIR EFFORTS AND LIVES WILL BE SEWN TOGETHER INTO A CITY THAT MAY BE BLESSED IN THE FUTURE WITH EQUITY AND PEACE.
JESUS SAID IN MATTHEW 15:16 LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE ME AND THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.
THAT THE FOUNDERS OF THIS GREAT CITY SAW 300 YEARS AGO THAT WILL LAST UNTIL THE ETERNITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS WORTHY OF ALL PEOPLE.
MAY GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS SURROUND YOU AS YOU CELEBRATING THE FOUNDING OF THIS HISTORIC CITY, TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
TO THESE THINGS WE ASK IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN .
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, PASTOR.
WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WELL, GOOD MORNING.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I THINK OUR TRANSLATOR IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BUSIER THAN WHAT HE JUST LET ON TO.
ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO I WANT TO OFFICIALLY WELCOME YOU ALL TO OUR GREAT CITY.
FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS OUR REGION WAS SETTLED BY INDIGENOUS TRIBES WHO CALLED A REMOTE ENCAMPMENT ON A GENTLE RIVER YANAGUANA.
IN 1691 A SPANISH EXPEDITION CAME ACROSS THE RIVER AND GAVE IT THE NAME SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA IN HONOR OF THE FEAST DAY.
25 YEARS PASSED BEFORE A PERMANENT SETTLEMENT WAS BUILT ALONG THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER CALLED VIA DE BEJAR.
THE MISSION DE VALERO AND PRESIDIO DE BEJAR WERE ESTABLISHED.
UPON THE ARRIVAL OF THE CANARY ISLAND FAMILIES IN 1731 A MUNICIPALITY WAS FORMED NAMED VIA DE SAN FERNANDO DE BEJAR, WHICH WOULD BECOME WHAT WE CALL TODAY SAN ANTONIO.
MANY OF THE DIGNITARIES AND THE DELEGATES HERE TODAY REPRESENT OUR PAST AND OUR PRESENT.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE CALLING TODAY FOUNDERS DAY, A DAY TO RECOGNIZE OUR PAST HISTORY AND THE RICH CULTURES AND CIVILIZATIONS THAT MET HERE IN THE NEW WORLD.
WE LOOK TO OUR HERITAGE AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS THE FUTURE AND PREPARE FOR THE NEXT 300 YEARS.
OUR CITY'S FABRIC, ITS UNIQUE CULTURE, AND DIVERSE RESIDENTS ARE A REFLECTION OF WHAT THE COUNTRY WILL LOOK LIKE IN THE YEARS TO COME.
I AND MY COLLEAGUES ARE SO HONORED THAT YOU ALL ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION TO ATTEND COMMEMORATIVE WEEK DURING OUR TRICENTENNIAL YEAR.
WE'RE SIGNIFICANT IN SEVERAL EVENTS WILL HIGHLIGHT ALL THE INFLUENCES THAT MAKE SAN ANTONIO TODAY THE SEVENTH MOST POPULOUS CITY IN THE UNITED STATES WHAT IT IS TODAY.
OUR ICONIC SPANISH COLONIAL MISSIONS DECLARED A WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN 2015 WERE BUILT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE RIVER IN THE 1700S.
WATER WAS LINKED TO OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE OUR FOUNDING, AND THROUGH OUR STEWARDSHIP THIS VITAL RESOURCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A CATALYST FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT AS A CITY.
TODAY THROUGH THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT WE HERE REVITALIZED OUR RIVER AND ARE INCREASING ACTIVATION EFFORTS THROUGH ART AND CIVIC SPACE.
CURRENTLY THE COMMUNITY, LED BY THE COUNTY, IS SPEARHEADING THE REVITALIZATION OF THE SAN PEDRO CREEK ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO.
IN FACT, THE FIRST SEGMENT OF THIS WORLD CLASS LINEAR PARK NAMED SAN PEDRO CREEK CULTURE PARK WILL DEBUT THIS SATURDAY, MAY 5TH.
THESE VIBRANT URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR RAPIDLY-GROWING CITY.
[00:10:02]
AND AS OUR CITY CONTINUES TO EXPAND, WE WANT TO FACE THE CHALLENGES OF GROWTH COMPASSIONATELY WITH AN EQUITABLE AND RESILIENT APPROACH SO THAT ALL RESIDENTS, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE OR WHEN THEY GOT HERE, PRESENT AND FUTURE, CAN ENJOY AND BENEFIT FROM OUR GROWTH.WE ARE WHO WE ARE BECAUSE OF OUR DIVERSITY.
AND THIS WEEK IS ONLY A HIGHLIGHT OF OUR YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION.
SO AT THIS POINT I WOULD LIKE ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES AND THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO TO PRESENT A RESOLUTION IN CELEBRATION OF THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
WHEREAS ON MAY 1ST, 1718 WHAT WAS TO BECOME THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WAS FOUNDED BY SPANISH SETTLERS WHO ESTABLISHED THE MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO, LATER KNOWN AS THE ALAMO.
WHEREAS A FRIAR IN THE AREA NOW KNOWN AS SAN ANTONIO ON MAY 1ST, 1718 HELPED FOUND THE MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO AND PRESIDIO SAN ANTONIO DE BEJAR DEVELOPED THE ACEQUIA AND WORKED WITH THE INDIANS TO CREATE IMPORTANT LINKAGES IN THE REGION THAT REMAINS TODAY.
AND FROM THAT BIRTH TO OUR FRIENDSHIP AND FAMILIAL TIES TO MEXICO, ALL THE WAY TO OUR SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH DARMSTADT, GERMANY.
WHEREAS 300 YEARS LATER AFTER OUR FOUNDING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WELCOMED ESTEEMED GUESTS FROM OUR SISTER CITIES, RELATIONSHIP CITIES, OFFICIAL GUESTS AND DELEGATIONS WHO HAVE TRAVELED FAR AND WIDE TO CELEBRATE OUR TRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE WEEK WITH US.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS GRATEFUL FOR ITS SISTER CITIES AND DIGNITARIES FROM THE WORLD AS OUR RELATIONSHIPS ARE PIVOTAL IN ORDER FOR US TO REMAIN A GLOBAL, INCLUSIVE CITY FOR ALL.
THEREFORE I, MAYOR NIRENBERG, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 1 THROUGH 6, 2018 TO BE TRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE WEEK .
I WILL ASK MY COLLEAGUES NOW TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND A SECOND AND A VOTE FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
THERE IS A MOTION AND I HEARD NINE OTHER SECONDS.
FOR APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: TO EACH OF OUR DELEGATIONS HERE TODAY I HOPE YOU GET A CHANCE TO ENJOY THE FLAVORS OF OUR MULTICULTURAL FOOD AND LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHALLENGING HISTORY.
WE ALSO HOPE YOU LEARN FROM YOU ALL.
YOUR VISIT TO OUR CITY IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OTHER PLACES AND OTHER CULTURES.
WE HOPE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK AND MANAGE TO BOND AND CONVERSE WITH OUR FRIENDLY CITIZENS.
OUR TRICENTENNIAL IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER OUR SHARED CULTURAL HERITAGE AND COLLABORATE ON OUR VERY BRIGHT FUTURE.
SO, HERE'S TO THE NEXT 300 YEARS.
AND NOW I HAVE ASKED OUR CHIEF CITY CHIEF DIPLOMACY OFFICER TO HELP RECOGNIZE OUR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS HERE TODAY AS WE INVITE THEM TO SAY A FEW WORDS IN HONOR OF OUR VISIT.
AS YOU STATED, WE ARE JOINED BY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS TRAVELING FROM SO MANY CORNERS OF THE WORLD TO CELEBRATE OUR TRICENTENNIAL WITH US TODAY.
WE HAVE INVITED THE HEADS OF EACH DELEGATION TO JOIN US TO MAKE SOME BRIEF REMARKS IN HONOR OF OUR CELEBRATIONS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE PRESENT HERE WITH US TODAY WILL HELP INTRODUCE EACH OF OUR GUESTS AND JOIN MAYOR DOWN AT THE PODIUM TO PROVIDE GIFTS, DO A GIFT EXCHANGE, AND HAVE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS AT THE END OF THE SESSION TO PLEASE REMAIN BEHIND SO THAT WE CAN DO LARGE GROUP PHOTOGRAPHS, AS THE PHOTOGRAPHS AT THE FRONT WILL ONLY BE WITH THE HEADS OF THE DELEGATION.
AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO THE MAYOR, WHO IS GOING TO INTRODUCE OUR FIRST GUEST, JUDGE NELSON WOLFF.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: JUDGE, I AM PLEASED TO INVITE OUR NEXT SPEAKER, BEXAR COUNTY JUDGE NELSON WOLFF, WHO HAS HELD HIS POSITION WITH THE COUNTY SINCE
[00:15:01]
2001 AND ALSO SERVED AS MAYOR OF SAN ANTONIO FROM 1991 TO 1995.BEXAR COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO ARE CELEBRATING THIS IMPORTANT YEAR TOGETHER AND OUR PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT CORNERSTONE FOR THE MANY EVENTS THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
JUDGE WOLFF BRINGS TO US TODAY TWO VERY SPECIAL GUESTS FROM SPAIN AND WILL INTRODUCE THEM NOW.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THE TRICENTENNIAL AND THE CITY COUNCIL'S LEADERSHIP.
IT'S BEEN AN EXCITING WEEK AND IT'S GOING TO GET MORE EXCITING AS WE GO ALONG.
YOU SPOKE JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO ABOUT THE CONFLUENCE OF CIVILIZATIONS IN BEXAR COUNTY AND SAN ANTONIO.
WE HOPE THAT THE CREEK IS GOING TO EXEMPLIFY THAT AND WE OPEN IT ON MAY 5TH, THE FIRST SECTION.
WE TRY TO SHOW THAT THROUGH THE ARTWORK THAT WILL BE ALONG THE CREEK, THROUGH INSCRIPTIONS ON THE WALLS, THROUGH SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE CREEK THAT EXPLAINS OUR HISTORY AND OUR CIVILIZATION, HOW WE CAME TOGETHER TO BUILD THIS GREAT CITY.
AND ALONG THAT CREEK WAS THE PRESIDIO DE BEJAR FOUNDED ON MAY 5, 1718 AND NAMED FOR MANUEL DE ZUNIGA GUZMAN, THE SECOND SON OF THE DUKE DE BEJAR, THE VICEROY AND ANCESTOR OF OUR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS TODAY GOVERNED MEXICO CITY AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN FUNDING MANY OF THE EXPEDITIONS TO TEJAS.
SO IT IS OUR PLEASURE TODAY TO HAVE WITH US THE DUKE AND DUCHESS DE BEJAR, PEDRO AND HIS WIFE ARE WITH US TODAY.
AND PEDRO REPRESENTS THE 20TH GENERATION OF THE DUKE DE BEJAR.
THEY HAVE BROUGHT WITH THEM THEIR DAUGHTER, SANDRA, THEIR GRANDDAUGHTER, AND THEIR LINKS TO SAN ANTONIO GO A LONG WAY BACK.
BACK IN 1999, THEIR SON, PEDRO JR. GRADUATED FROM ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY.
AND THEY WERE GOOD FRIENDS WITH HENRY GUERRA AND THE DOCTOR OVER THESE MANY YEARS.
SO THEY HAVE STRONG LINKS TO SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY ALREADY.
>> MY SON CAME TO THE UNIVERSITY, I'M SPEECHLESS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY WORDS TO SAY.
THE WELCOME YOU HAVE GIVEN US HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.
>> AND NOW AT THIS MOMENT MAYOR NIRENBERG AND JUDGE WOLFF WILL PROVIDE A GIFT, POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS WITH OUR GUESTS.
A CEREMONIAL WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS AND FOR OUR VERY SPECIAL TRICENTENNIAL GIFT THEY WILL RECEIVE A LIMITED EDITION SILVER COIN COMMEMORATING THIS TRICENTENNIAL YEAR.
[00:20:08]
[APPLAUSE]>> JUDGE WOLFF, I BELIEVE THE MAYOR ALSO HAS A GIFT FOR YOU.
>> A BIG THANK YOU TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF BEJAR AND TO JUDGE WOLFF FOR HIS GRACIOUS REMARKS.
SAN ANTONIO HAS TWO SISTER CITIES IN THE CANARY ISLANDS AND IN THE MONTH OF MARCH A LARGE DELEGATION, INCLUDING OUR TWO SISTER CITY MAYORS, CAME TO SAN ANTONIO TO CELEBRATE THE ANNUAL CEREMONY COMMEMORATING THE ARRIVAL OF THE CANARY ISLANDERS TO OUR REGION.
OUR COMMUNITY HAS WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH SPAIN AT LARGE THIS YEAR THROUGH THE SPANISH EMBASSY AND THE SPANISH CONSULATE IN HOUSTON AS WELL AS THEIR TRADE OFFICE IN MIAMI.
THEY ARE NOT HERE TODAY BUT THEY ARE HERE WITH US IN SPIRIT.
AND NOW I WANT TO INVITE COUNCILMAN CLAYTON PERRY TO INTRODUCE OUR NEXT SPEAKER AND TALK OF MEXICO'S IMPORTANT ROLE IN SAN ANTONIO HISTORY.
THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT IS REPRESENTED HERE TODAY THROUGH AMBASSADOR REYNA TORRES, CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO IN SAN ANTONIO WHO BRINGS A VERY SPECIAL MESSAGE.
>> PERRY: GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU.
FOR GENERATIONS WE HAVE HAD CULTURAL, FAMILIAL, AND EDUCATIONAL TIES WITH MEXICO.
TEXAS REMAINED IN THE HANDS OF THE SPANISH UNTIL THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION.
AND OUR REGION WAS PART OF THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO FROM 1821 TO 1836.
TEXAS WAS AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY FROM 1836 UNTIL THE ANNEXATION BY THE UNITED STATES IN 1845.
SEVERAL FAMILIES HERE TODAY HAVE TIES TO MEXICO THAT GO BACK FOR GENERATIONS AND RUN DEEP.
OUR CITIZENS STILL REFLECT THEIR TIES ON THEIR SOUTHERN MOST NEIGHBOR THROUGH LANGUAGE, CUSTOMS, AND CULTURE.
IT IS MY UTMOST PLEASURE TO PRESENT AMBASSADOR REYNA TORRES, CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO, WHO BRINGS A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO US TODAY FROM MEXICO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
I'M GOING TO READ A MESSAGE SENT BY PRESIDENT NIETO ON OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE TRICENTENNIAL OF SAN ANTONIO.
THIS IS A TRANSLATION OF A LETTER SIGNED MEXICO CITY, APRI.
DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF SAN ANTONIO.
ALLOW ME TO CONVEY MY SINCEREST COMPLIMENTS OF THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I APPRECIATE YOUR INVITATION IN ORDER TO TAKE PART IN THE TRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS OF THE CITY.
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO, IT IS A TRUE HONOR TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH FESTIVITIES THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN APARIS.
THE HISTORIC TIES FILL US WITH PRIDE AND INVITE US TO CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR CITIZENS.
SAN ANTONIO IS A VALUABLE TRADE CORNER OF OUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE HOME OF THOUSANDS OF MEXICANS.
PLEASE COUNT ON MEXICO AND ITS CITIZENS AS A FRIEND AND ALLY TOWARD THE FUTURE.
AS I TRANSMIT MY BEST WISHES FOR YOUR WELL-BEING AND SAN ANTONIO'S.
SIGNED THE PRESIDENT [INDISCERNIBLE].
>> AND NOW COUNCILMAN PERRY AND MAYOR NIRENBERG WILL PRESENT ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE COUNCIL A LIMITED EDITION SILVER COIN COMMEMORATING THE TRICENTENNIAL TO BE GIFTED TO HIS EXCELLENCY BY WAY OF CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO IN SAN ANTONIO.
UP NEXT, I WANT TO INVITE TIM QUIGLEY, THE CHAIRMAN OF SISTER
[00:25:02]
CITIES INTERNATIONAL, TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL, WHICH IS CELEBRATING ITS SPRING LEADERSHIP FORUM IN SAN ANTONIO THIS WEEK TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR TRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.MR. MAYOR, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, DIGNITARIES, CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO, AND GUESTS.
SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL IS THE OLDEST AND LARGEST GLOBAL NETWORK OF CITIZEN DIPLOMATS WITH OVER 500 U.S. CITIES AND COMMUNITIES TWINNED WITH 2,000 COMMUNITIES IN 146 COUNTRIES.
WE WERE FOUNDED AS THE MODERN MOVEMENT AT A WHITE HOUSE SUMMIT ON CITIZEN DIPLOMACY IN 1956 CONVENED BY PRESIDENT EISENHOWER ON THE PREMISE THAT WORLD PEACE AND PROSPERITY WOULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH PEOPLE TO PEOPLE AND SUSTAINED COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY CONNECTION.
SAN ANTONIO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A REAL LEADER IN THE MOVEMENT.
IN FACT, THE SAN ANTONIO MONTERREY RELATIONSHIP, AS I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW, PREDATES THE WHITE HOUSE SUMMIT BY SOME FOUR YEARS.
BUT IN RECOGNITION OF THIS, WE HAVE BROUGHT OUR SPRING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE TO SAN ANTONIO DURING COMMEMORATIVE WEEK AND FOUNDERS DAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ASK OUR LEADERSHIP, OUR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM TO STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO JOIN YOU IN YOUR FESTIVITIES.
>> WE ALSO HAVE ONE OTHER REASON FOR RECOGNIZING SAN ANTONIO THIS WEEK AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE MAYOR, MAYOR RON NIRENBERG, IS THE CHAIR-ELECT OF THE CITY CITIES INTERNATIONAL AND WILL ASSUME THE CHAIR IN AUGUST AND WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO START THE BALL ROLLING.
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES.
MAYOR NIRENBERG WILL NOW PROVIDE THE SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE GIFT TO SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL AND POSE FOR A PHOTOGRAPH.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES WHO WILL INTRODUCE OUR NEXT GUEST FROM OUR SISTER CITY, GUADALAJARA.
>> GONZALES: WELL, THANK YOU, SHERRY.
WE ESTABLISHED OUR SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH GUADALAJARA IN 1974, AND I JUST RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO GUADALAJARA IN FEBRUARY FOR THE ALL MEXICO U.S. SISTER CITIES MAYOR'S SUMMIT.
OFTEN CALLED THE SILICON VALLEY OF MEXICO, GUADALAJARA ALSO IMPRESSED US WITH ITS 2017 UNESCO DESIGNATION AS A CREATIVE CITY IN MEDIA ARTS.
SAN ANTONIO ALSO RECEIVED A UNESCO DESIGNATION THE SAME YEAR BUT AS A CREATIVE CITY OF GASTRONOMY.
I'M PLEASED TO SEE MAYOR IBARRA AGAIN.
NICE TO SEE YOU, MAYOR IBARRA.
I ALSO MENTIONED THE LAST TIME MY FAMILY TIES TO GUADALAJARA.
>> MAYOR, COUNCILMEN, AND COUNCILWOMEN.
GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
REPRESENTING THE GOVERNMENT OF GUADALAJARA, IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS MORNING CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF SAN
[00:30:01]
ANTONIO.AS YOU WELL KNOW, OUR TOWNS HAVE BEEN UNITED THROUGH THE BOND OF SISTER CITIES SINCE 1974.
HOWEVER, OUR SHARED HISTORY GOES FURTHER BACK EVEN TO THE TIME WHEN THE PRESIDIO DE SAN ANTONIO DE BEJAR WAS FIRST SETTLED.
THAT'S WHY ON THE 16TH WHEN WE HAVE A MEETING WHEN WE DISCOVERED THAT THE DOCUMENT OF THE SETTLEMENT WAS FOUND IN GUADALAJARA.
THE PERSUASION OF THE MAYOR AND THE WORK OF MONICA SANCHEZ OF MS. KEEL AND IT IS THE DISPOSITION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GUADALAJARA THROUGH CARLOS EBAN, WE ARE NOW IN LOAN OF THE HISTORIC DOCUMENT ENTITLED WHICH WILL BE DISPLAYED TONIGHT, WHICH IS THE ORIGNAL DOCUMENT OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THIS CITY.
>> HOWEVER, FURTHER OF HISTORIC CURIOSITY FOR OUR SISTER CITY THROUGH THIS DOCUMENT I WANT TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT UNITES US AS CITIES AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT CITIES THAT WE CREATE A FUTURE OF CREATIVITY WITH FUNDAMENTAL ACCESS OF CONSTRUCTION FOR A BETTER FUTURE.
BEFORE CONCLUDING, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP PUSHING THE TOURISM AND THE COMMERCIAL ALLIANCES THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE THANKS TO THE CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN OUR CITIES AND THE BROTHERHOOD RELATIONSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP THAT WE KEEP.
FINALLY, I WOULD TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE MAYOR, RON NIRENBERG, AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS OF THIS CITY HALL FOR THEIR GENEROUS HOSPITALITY.
PLEASE BE IT KNOWN THAT WHILE IN GUADALAJARA YOU WILL FIND ALWAYS A CITY FULL OF FRIENDS AND FRIENDSHIP.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR THE FIRST 300 YEARS AND TO THE PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
[00:35:03]
HONORABLE ENRIQUE IBARRA, MAYOR OF GUADALAJARA, MEXICO.AND AS THEY STAND FOR PHOTOGRAPHS, WE ALSO INVITE CARLOS MORENO FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GUADALAJARA TO COME AND STAND FOR A PHOTOGRAPH WITH THEM AS WELL.
WITH MONICA SANCHEZ TORRES, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DIRECTOR.
AND IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT THE CITY OF GUADALAJARA WILL BE SENDING THEIR BALLET FOLKLORICO DANCERS TO SAN ANTONIO DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER FOR OUR CELEBRATIONS.
SO THE CELEBRATION WILL CONTINUE.
AND NOW THE EXCHANGE OF GIFTS.
THE COMMEMORATIVE COIN HAS BEEN PRESENTED AS WELL AS THE CEREMONIAL.
AND NOW, MAYOR IBARRA IS AN HONORARY SAN ANTONIO.
NEXT, WE ASK COUNCILMAN REY SALDANA TO INTRODUCE MEXICO CITY.
TODAY REPRESENTING MEXICO CITY IS MR. CLAUDIO RUZ, DIRECTOR OF DIPLOMACY FOR MEXICO CITY.
SAN ANTONIO HAS HAD A PRESENCE IN MEXICO CITY SINCE 1985 THROUGH CASA SAN ANTONIO.
IN ADDITION, SAN ANTONIO AND MEXICO CITY SIGNED AN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP UNDER THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTE IN 2015.
MEXICO CITY IS PART OF UNESCO'S CREATIVE CITY'S NETWORK AS A CREATIVE CITY OF DESIGN.
AND SAN ANTONIO GOT ITS OWN DESIGNATION AS A CREATIVE CITY OF GASTRONOMY THE SAME YEAR AS WELL, WHICH WAS 2017.
THE CITIZENS OF MEXICO CITY HAVE GIFTED OUR SAN ANTONIO CITIZENS WITH A SCULPTURE BY JORGE MARIN, NAMED WINGS OF MEXICO.
AND THIS GIFT WILL BE INSTALLED AND UNVEILED TOMORROW IN HEMISFAIR PARK.
>> NOW I INVITE MR. CLAUDIO RUZ, DIRECTOR OF DIPLOMACY, TO COME TO THE PODIUM.
>> HONORABLE MAYOR NIRENBERG, HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL OF SAN ANTONIO, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, IT'S A GREAT HONOR BEING HERE ADDRESSING THIS ASSEMBLY ON BEHALF OF THE MEXICO CITY GOVERNMENT AND ITS MAYOR ON THE OCCASION OF SAN ANTONIO'S TRICENTENNIAL.
AS IT WAS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY BY COUNCILMAN SALDANA, THEY PRESENTED THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WITH THE SCULPTURE BY THE RENOWNED ARTIST JORGE MARIN.
THIS GIFT IS MEANT TO SYMBOLIZE THE APPRECIATION WE HAVE FOR ITS STRATEGIC PARTNER AND CLOSE ASSOCIATE, BUT IT IS ALSO MEANT TO BE A POWERFUL STATEMENT ABOUT THE CLOSE FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BOTH OUR GOVERNMENTS HAVE ESTABLISHED, DRIVEN BY THE WILL OF OUR CITIZENS AND THEIR DESIRE FOR A PROSPEROUS FUTURE IN OPEN MARKETS AND GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS.
IN THE PAST, TIME AND HISTORY MIGHT HAVE DRIVEN OUR CITIES, AS WELL AS OUR COUNTRIES APART.
BUT I'M CERTAIN THAT IT WILL BE THE STRENGTH AND DESIRE OF OUR CITIZENS, WHAT INEVITABLY WILL BRING THEM BACK TOGETHER AS PARTNERS, AS FRIENDS, AND WHY NOT EVEN AS BROTHERS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND NOW COUNCILMAN SALDANA AND MAYOR NIRENBERG WILL PROVIDE MRN SILVER COIN TO GIVE TO MEXICO CITY AND THEY WILL POSE FOR A PHOTOGRAPH.
AND JOINING THE GROUP WE HAVE ELENA FOR THE STUDIO OF JORGE MARIN, WHO ALSO BRINGS A GIFT.
[00:40:03]
>> AND NOW, COUNCILWOMAN ANA SANDOVAL WILL TELL US ABOUT OUR SISTER CITY OF GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA, BEFORE WE INTRODUCE OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
I WANT TO WELCOME REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR SISTER CITY OF GWANGJU, KOREA.
THIS SISTER CITY, WHICH HOUSES ANCIENT TEMPLES AND PARKS AND IS AN IMPORTANT CENTER IN THE REGION, ESTABLISHED A SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH US IN 1981.
GWANGJU ALSO IS A UNESCO CREATIVE CITY OF MEDIA ARTS.
IN HONOR OF OUR SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP, GWANGJU GIFTED US WITH A SPLENDID KOREAN PAVILION, WHICH IS LOCATED IN DENMAN ESTATE PARK.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT GWANGJU HAS GIVEN US TWO GIFTS FOR THE TRICENTENNIAL THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF PERFORMANCE DURING THIS WEEK.
AND WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE HONORABLE YOON JANG-HYUN, MAYOR OF GWANGJU, TO PROVIDE A FEW REMARKS.
>> GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND OUR SISTER CITY DELEGATION.
FIRST OF ALL, I'M MUCHH HONORED TO BE INVITED TO COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS FOR THIS 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY SPEECH TO RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF SAN ANTONIO, CITY COUNCIL, AND OFFICERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK FOR THE PREPARATION OF THESE EVENTS.
YESTERDAY I WALKED ALONGSIDE THE RIVER WALK IN TOWN.
THE PEACEFUL AND WELL-MANAGED RIVER WALK BROUGHT HAPPINESS TO ME, WHO IS A STRANGER IN SAN ANTONIO.
IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE AS IT IS NICE THE WAY IT HARMONIZED NATURE.
I THOUGHT IT REPRESENTS OUR STRONG FRIENDSHIP.
NOW THE ENTIRE WORLD IS WATCHING THE UPCOMING MEETING BETWEEN THE USA PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE NORTH KOREA LEADER, KIM JONG-UN.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS SUMMIT WILL FINALLY BRING THE PEACE IN KOREA.
IF [INDISCERNIBLE] I PAY A VISIT TO SAN ANTONIO AS MAYOR OF A SISTER CITY FOR CREATING NEW RELATIONSHIPS.
WE BELIEVE THAT PEACE WILL BE IMPROVED [INDISCERNIBLE] WILL BE REALIZED BY MUTUAL EXCHANGES.
AS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TAKES THE ROLE OF PROMOTING WORLD PEACE, I HOPE GWANGJU AND SAN ANTONIO WORK TOGETHER ON THE PATH TO THE NEW FUTURE RESPECTING HISTORY.
I CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAN ANTONIO AND HOPE WE CONNECT TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
THANK YOU, MAYOR YOON JANG-HYUN.
NOW MAYOR NIRENBERG AND COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL WILL PROVIDE THE GIFT, MAKING YOON JANG-HYUN HONORARY AL CALDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
COULD WE ASK THE DELEGATION FROM GWANGJU TO PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? COULD WE PLEASE HAVE THE DELEGATION FROM GWANGJU STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IN OUR PROGRAM, COUNCILWOMAN REBECCA VIAGRAN
[00:45:01]
WILL INTRODUCE KUMAMOTO, JAPAN.>> VIAGRAN: IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU THE BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC CITY OF KUMAMOTO THIS MORNING.
WE ESTABLISHED THIS SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP IN 1988 AND JUST YESTERDAY I AND MANY OF THE COLLEAGUES ATTENDED A COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY AT THE SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN TO CELEBRATE THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SUCCESSFUL EXCHANGES OVER THESE 30 YEARS INVOLVING HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES, KUMAMON, AND MORE.
>> AND NOW I INVITE THE HONORABLE MAYOR OF KUMAMOTO, KAZUFUMI OHNISHI TO COME AND SPEAK AT THE PODIUM.
HE WILL BE JOINED BY THE HONOR [INDISCERNIBLE].
THEY ARE JOINED BY FOUR OTHER CITY COUNCILMAN.
COULD YOU PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM? [APPLAUSE]
I AM KAZUFUMI OHNISHI, MAYOR OF KUMAMOTO CITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL ON THE CELEBRATION OF SAN ANTONIO'S 300TH YEAR HISTORY AS A CITY.
I AM VERY HONORED TO BE HERE FOR THIS CELEBRATION TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER INTERNATIONAL SISTER CITIES OF SAN ANTONIO, ESPECIALLY AS THIS ALSO MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF COMMEMORATIVE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP.
IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE THAT A CHAIRMAN OF THE KUMAMOTO CITY COUNCIL COULD JOIN IN THIS CELEBRATION ALONG WITH OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MANY OF THE LEADERS AUDIO] WITHIN THE BEAUTIFUL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND ABUNDANCE AND ENJOYS THE DIVERSITY OF EXCHANGES.
KUMAMOTO IS VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN LEARNING FROM SAN ANTONIO, LED MY MAYOR NIRENBERG, ABOUT DEVELOPING A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY WITH DIVERSITY OF CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO FURTHER DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIP TIES BETWEEN OUR TWO CITIES THROUGH OUR MUTUAL EFFORT.
TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS FOLLOWING THE 2016 KUMAMOTO EARTHQUAKES.
YOUR KINDNESS MEANT A LOT TO US AND SUPPORTED US IN OUR STEPS TOWARDS RECOVERY.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND I WISH ALL THE BEST.
WE ASK ALL THE DELEGATION FROM KUMAMOTO PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED AS WELL.
AND NOW COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN AND MAYOR NIRENBERG WILL PROVIDE THE
[00:50:02]
SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS AND ALCALDE TO MAYOR OHNISHI AND THE CHAIRMAN.THE PRESENTATION OF THE TRICENTENNIAL SILVER COIN IS FOR THE CITIZENS AND THE CITY OF KUMAMOTO.
UP NEXT WE HAVE JOHN COURAGE, WHO WILL INTRODUCE OUR SISTER CITY OF WUXI, CHINA.
A 3000-YEAR-OLD CITY IN JIANGSU PROVINCE, WUXI IS AN ATTRACTIVE CENTER WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON TEXTILES, MANUFACTURING, AND TECHNOLOGY.
WE BECAME SISTER CITIES IN THE YEAR 2012.
WUXI HAS GRACIOUSLY BROUGHT TWO GIFTS FOR SAN ANTONIO.
ONE IS A LIVING GIFT OF PERFORMERS FROM MAY VILLAGE WHO WILL ENTHRALL US WITH THEIR MUSIC AND GRACEFUL DANCE MOVES.
WUXI IS ALSO GIFTING US WITH TWO STATUES MOLD IN THE LIKENESS OF CLAY FIGURINES THAT WUXI IS FAMOUSLY KNOWN FOR.
THE MAGIK CHILDREN'S THEATRE HAS ACCEPTED THE GIFT ON BEHALF OF SAN ANTONIO.
A BIG THANK YOU GOES TO FRANK, C.E.O. OF THE MAGIK CHILDREN'S THEATRE.
I ALSO WANT TO EXTEND A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO WUXI FOR THESE GIFTS.
>> AND NOW WE WELCOME THE HONORABLE XIA LIU, VICE MAYOR OF OUR SISTER CITY OF WUXI TO THE PODIUM.
AND WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE [INDISCERNIBLE] TO COME AND STAND WITH HER.
>> HONORABLE MAYOR NIRENBERG, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GOOD MORNING.
IT'S A GREAT HONOR TO BE PRESENT TO THIS 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAN ANTONIO ON BEHALF OF ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AS WELL AS THE 6.5 MILLION PEOPLE, I WISH TO EXTEND MY WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS.
MY THANKS GOES TO ALL THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN PRESENT FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT ON THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN WUXI AND SAN ANTONIO.
OVER THE PAST 300 YEARS, SINCE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS [INDISCERNIBLE] HAS BEEN AT THE
[00:55:02]
FOREFRONT OF THE ECONOMY, EDUCATION, CULTURE.THE CITY OF WUXI IS [INDISCERNIBLE] GRAND CANAL PASSING THROUGH AND WE HAVE A HISTORY OF MORE THAN 3,200 YEARS.
THERE HAS BEEN FREQUENT MUTUAL EXCHANGES AND VISITS AND FREQUENT COOPERATION AND USED AT OCCASION HEALTH CARE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION.
I'M VERY PROUD THAT BOTH OF OUR CITY HAS WON THE BEST AWARD FOR INNOVATION.
I'M VERY GLAD FOR THE PROFOUND EXCHANGES BETWEEN WUXI AND SAN ANTONIO AND I'M CONVINCED THAT THERE WILL BE GREAT POTENTIALS BETWEEN OUR TWO CITIES.
SO AT THIS BIG CELEBRATION WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO PRESENT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO A PAIR OF CLAY FIGURINES AND A PIECE OF CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY TO SYMBOLIZE OUR CONGRATULATIONS.
THE RINGS REPRESENT PEACE AND HAPPINESS.
WE WISH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO PEACE AND THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO ALL THE BEST OF LUCK AND WISH OUR FRIENDSHIP PROSPER.
AND LAST I WISH THE WHOLE CEREMONY A COMPLETE SUCCESS.
>> THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR LIU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE AND MAYOR NIRENBERG WILL JOIN YOU FOR A PHOTOGRAPH, PROVIDE YOU WITH A SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE GIFT FOR THE CITIZENS OF WUXI.
WE ALSO ASK MR. FRANK VALANI IF HE IS HERE, TO JOIN US AT THE PODIUM AND THE UNVEILING OF THE STATUES.
IS MR. VALANI HERE? [APPLAUSE]
[01:00:33]
>> WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALL THE WUXI DELEGATION TO PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED AT THIS MOMENT.
IF YOU ARE HERE, PLEASE STAND.
PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
COUNCILMAN GREG BROCKHOUSE WILL SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR SISTER CITY OF WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA.
WE ESTABLISHED A SISTER CITY WITH WINDHOEK IN 2016 UNDER MAYOR IVY TAYLOR.
IT IS KNOWN FOR GURL, AND BUSINESS SERVICES.
WE SHARE THE CONCERN FOR WATER AS WELL.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN EXCHANGE FROM OFFICIALS FROM OUR VERY OWN SAN ANTONIO WATER SYSTEMS .
>> AND NOW THE MAYOR OF WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA WILL COME TO THE PODIUM FOR REMARKS.
HE WILL BE JOINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AS WELL AS THE HONORARY CONSUL OF NAMIBIA IN SAN ANTONIO.
>> YEAH, THANK YOU SO MUCH, THE MAYOR OF SAN ANTONIO, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, COUNCILMEN AND WOMEN, DISTINGUISHED MAYORS FROM OTHER SISTER CITIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
INDEED ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF WINDHOEK, ALLOW ME TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATIONS FOR THE HOSPITALITY ACCORDED TO US SINCE OUR ARRIVAL IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
EQUALLY I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND THE WARM GREETINGS FROM THE PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA, AND PARTICULARLY THE ONE FROM WINDHOEK.
WE ARE INDEED HONORED TO BE HERE AT THESE 300-YEAR CELEBRATIONS.
AS THE CONSUL SAID THAT INDEED I'M HAPPY TO MENTION THAT THE SIGNING CEREMONY HAS STARTED WITH THE FRIENDSHIP SINCE 2015.
AND I'M HAPPY THAT, YOU KNOW, THE [INDISCERNIBLE] HAS BEEN A BRAIN CHILD WITH OUR FORMER AMBASSADOR TO THE SIGNING CEREMONY.
AND WE HAVE SIGNED THIS SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP IN 2016 AS A CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL EXCHANGE.
ON BEHALF OF THE CITY TO CONGRATULATE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR THE MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR HOSTING US TO THIS VERY, VERY BEAUTIFUL CITY INDEED.
AND NOW COUNCIL MEMBER BROCKHOUSE AND MAYOR NIRENBERG WILL PROVIDE THE SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE GIFT AS WELL AS AN ALCALDE CEREMONIAL, MAKING HIM AN HONORARY ALCALDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND THEY WILL POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
>> AND NOW WE GIVE THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMAN MANNY PELAEZ, WHO WILL INTRODUCE OUR SISTER CITY
[01:05:02]
OF DARMSTADT, GERMANY.>> PELAEZ: A BIG WELCOME TO OUR FRIENDS FROM DARMSTADT, GERMANY.
DARMSTADT IS OUR MOST RECENT SISTER CITY.
WE ESTABLISHED THAT RELATIONSHIP IN 2017, OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR WHEN THE MAYOR AND I WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO TRAVEL TO DARMSTADT TO CELEBRATE OUR SISTER CITY SIGNING CEREMONY.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, DARMSTADT IS THE SILICON VALLEY OF EUROPE, AN INFLUENTIAL CITY OF RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY.
THEY ARE ALSO HOME TO AN ART DECO AND SOON TO BE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, A VERY IMPORTANT ART DECOAND ARTIST COLONY.
LASTLY, MAYOR, I THINK YOU WILL AGREE DARMSTADT WERE EXCELLENT HOSTS AND GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO TASTE SOME OF THE MOST DELICIOUS FOOD.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE PARTS OF OUR TRIP.
AND SO WITH THAT, ALLOW ME TO SAY SOMETHING IN GERMAN.
>> PELAEZ: I'M VERY PROUD THAT OUR CITIES ARE FRIENDS.
>> AND NOW, THE MAYOR OF DARMSTADT WILL SAY A FEW WORDS.
HE IS ALSO JOINED BY THE CITY TREASURER FROM DARMSTADT.
>> HONORABLE MAYOR NIRENBERG AND THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVITING US TO BE A PART OF YOUR TRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.
MY COLLEAGUE AND I ARE HONORED TO BE A PART OF YOUR FESTIVITIES.
OUR CITIES HAVE BEEN SISTERS SINCE OCTOBER 2017, SO YOU COULD SAY THAT THE SMALL OLDER SISTER IS CONGRATULATING THE BIGGER, YOUNGER SISTER TO HER 300TH ANNIVERSARY.
OUR TWO CITIES HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT DURING THE SHORT TIME OF BEING PARTNERS.
OUR SHARED HISTORY, IDEALS, AND FOCUSED AREAS ARE SHAPING A STRONG FOUNDATION OF OUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR THE UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTED TREMENDOUSLY TO THE RESURRECTION OF THE GERMAN DEMOCRACY AND TO A STABLE ECONOMY OF THE NEW FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY.
ESPECIALLY THE UNITED STATES HAS ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS A TRUSTED PARTNER AND THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED A LOT TO THE REUNIFICATION OF GERMANY.
TODAY GERMANY AND THE U.S. ARE FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES, SUBJECTS INCLUDING THE ECONOMY, EMPLOYMENT, MIGRATION, INTEGRATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND RENEWABLE ENERGIES ARE KEY.
BOTH SAN ANTONIO AND DARMSTADT ARE OPEN WORLDLY CITIES THAT SHARE VALUES, FOCUS AREAS, AND SHARED EXPERIENCES AS ARRIVAL CITIES.
[01:10:02]
IT IS OUR GOAL TO UNDERSTAND OUR SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP AS A CHANCE TO FURTHER ADVANCE OUR SHARED POTENTIAL IN THE AREAS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE SCIENCES, AS WELL AS ARTS AND CULTURE.EMPHASIS WE PUT ON OUR UNIVERSITIES.
OUR AGREEMENT ENABLES MANY YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET TOGETHER AND TO LEARN FROM AND WITH EACH OTHER.
IT IS THE INTERNATIONAL AND INTERCULTURAL EXCHANGES THAT FILL SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH LIFE.
IT IS NOT ONLY THE BIG POLITICAL SUBJECTS BUT ALSO THE PERSONAL DIRECT AND FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIPS OF OUR CITIZENS THAT FILL THIS AGREEMENT WITH LIFE.
OUR PARTNERSHIP IS A COMMUNICATIVE AND COOPERATIVE PROCESS THAT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE OVER TIME JUST AS OUR CITIES AND CITIZENS CONTINUE TO EVOLVE.
LET US START OFF THE NEXT 300 YEARS WITH GREAT OPTIMISM AND LET'S CONTINUE TO WORK ON OUR PARTNERSHIP.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS SINCERE THANKS FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY AND FOR LETTING US BEING A PART OF YOUR CELEBRATIONS.
NOW COUNCILMAN PELAEZ AND MAYOR NIRENBERG WILL PROVIDE THE SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE GIFT AS WELL AS AN ALCALDE CEREMONIAL MAKING MAYOR REIBER AN HONORARY ALCALDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND THEY WILL POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF THE SECTION OF THE REMARKS, BUT BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO RECOGNIZE ADDITIONAL GUESTS WHO HAVE COME TO SAN ANTONIO, COUNCILMAN TREVINO IS GOING TO READ A SPECIAL LETTER FROM OUR FRIENDSHIP CITY TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL.
AND THIS LETTER HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF TEL-AVIV.
>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, SHERRY.
IT'S A REAL HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO READ THIS LETTER ADDRESSED TO MAYOR NIRENBERG.
DEAR MAYOR NIRENBERG, IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I AND THE RESIDENTS OF TEL-AVIV WHICH TO EXTEND OUR WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FESTIVE OCCASION OF SAN ANTONIO'S 300TH ANNIVERSARY.
ALTHOUGH SAN ANTONIO IS JUST A BIT OLDER THAN ITS TWIN CITY, TEL-AVIV, WE SHARE PLURALISM, TOLERANCE, AND RATIONAL THINKING.
IN ADDITION, WE ARE COMMITTED TO INNOVATION WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING AND PRESERVING OUR RICH HISTORY AND LONG-LASTING TRADITION.
AS YOU ALREADY KNOW, REGRETTABLY, I CAN'T JOIN YOU ON YOUR TRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS BUT PLEASE REST ASSURED THAT MY SPIRIT IS WITH YOU ON THIS SPECIAL DATE.
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON YOUR 300TH ANNIVERSARY.
I WISH YOU AND ALL THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO MANY MORE YEARS OF PROSPERITY, SUCCESS, AND CREATIVITY.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
AND WE HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT WE ALSO HAVE A LETTER FROM OUR SISTER CITY IN TAIWAN.
THAT LETTER HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO US BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE TAIPEI ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL OFFICE IN HOUSTON, MR. PETER CHEN.
SO WE INVITE MR. PETER CHEN TO COME UP AND READ THE LETTER FROM THE MAYOR OF OUR SISTER CITY
[01:15:04]
KAOHSIUNG, PLEASE.>> DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE CELEBRATING SAN ANTONIO'S TRICENTENNIAL.
SAN ANTONIO AND KAOHSIUNG, THE SECOND LARGEST CITY IN TAIWAN, BECAME SISTER CITIES.
KAOHSIUNG CHERISHED SAN ANTONIO AS A GOOD FRIEND AND ROLE MODEL.
HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM A LETTER SENT BY THE MAYOR OF KAOHSIUNG TO MARK THIS OCCASION.
I WOULD LIKE TO, ON BEHALF OF THE KAOHSIUNG CITY GOVERNMENT, HEREBY CONVEY MY WHOLEHEARTED CONGRATULATIONS TO SAN ANTONIO.
I HOPE ALL THE VISITING INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS ENJOY MEMORABLE FESTIVITIES.
I GIVE MY BEST WISHES THAT SAN ANTONIO WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND THROUGH ITS CHARM AND FUSION OF THE MODERN AND TRADITIONAL, KEEP ON SHINING BRIGHT AS THE TEXAS SUN.
KAOHSIUNG TAKES GREAT HONOR IN ITS STRONG FRIENDSHIP WITH SAN ANTONIO.
I BELIEVE THAT OUR FRIENDSHIP WILL OPEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO AND KAOHSIUNG TO CREATE MORE COOPERATION AND EXCHANGES FOR OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT.
MAY ALL THE TRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION EVENTS BE SUCCESSFUL AND THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO CITIES LAST FOREVER.
KIND WORDS FROM THE MAYOR, WORDS WHICH ARE STRONGLY ECHOED.
ON BEHALF OF TAIWAN I WILL PRESENT THIS IN THE SHAPE OF [INDISCERNIBLE] AS A TOKEN OF OUR CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES FOR OUR LASTING FRIENDSHIP WITH SAN ANTONIO.
IN TAIWAN CULTURE, THE SHAPE AND NAME HAS COME TO REPRESENT HAPPINESS AND UNITED TOGETHER.
WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH ESTEEMED INSTITUTIONS IN SAN ANTONIO TO ENCOURAGE EXCHANGES AND COOPERATION BETWEEN TEXANS AND TAIWANESE.
AND A COMMEMORATIVE COIN WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE MAYOR OF KAOHSIUNG AND THE DIRECTOR GENERAL CHEN WILL MAKE SURE IT GETS TO THE CITY OF KAOHSIUNG IN TAIWAN.
WE HAVE NOW CONCLUDED WITH THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE HAVE.
AND WE WILL NOW BEGIN TO INTRODUCE SOME ADDITIONAL GUESTS WHO ARE JOINING US TODAY WHO HAVE COME TO SAN ANTONIO TO BE HERE ON THIS SPECIAL DAY AND ATTEND THE FOUNDERS GALA THIS EVENING.
AND COUNCILMAN CRUZ SHAW WILL BEGIN WITH OUR FIRST INTRODUCTION.
GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO ALL.
PRESENT HERE TODAY WE ALSO HAVE OTHER VISITING MAYORS AND ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE TRAVELED FAR AND WIDE TO CELEBRATE OUR TRICENTENNIAL WITH US.
OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE WORLD ARE PIVOTAL IN ORDER FOR US TO REMAIN A GLOBAL AND INCLUSIVE CITY FOR ALL.
NOW, IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO WELCOME THE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
THEY FACILITATED THE LOAN OF FOUR ART PIECES FOR THE EXHIBITION TITLED SAN ANTONIO 1718, ART FROM MEXICO.
IN ADDITION, THE FRIAR WHO HELPED CREATE OUR SPANISH COLONIAL MISSIONS ACTUALLY BEGAN HIS JOURNEY HERE IN TEXAS.
AND COUNCILMAN SHAW, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE ARE GOING TO NOW INVITE THE DELEGATION TO JOIN US AT THE PODIUM.
WE KNOW THAT THE MAYOR IS IN THE AIR COMING HERE FOR THIS EVENING BUT WE HAVE REPRESENTING THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE, MR. DAVID GARCIA LIRA, AND ALSO MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS FROM THE CITY OF GUADALUPE.
AND THEY ARE GOING TO PROVIDE A SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE GIFT,
[01:20:02]
RECEIVE A CEREMONIAL, AND POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.>> TO BE PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR, THANK YOU.
AND COUNCILMAN SHAW WILL ALSO INTRODUCE AN ADDITIONAL GUEST FROM THE CITY OF CHIHUAHUA.
>> SHAW: IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ALSO WELCOME MY NEXT GUEST.
REPRESENTING THE MAYOR OF CHIHUAHUA IS THE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
MAYOR NIRENBERG MET WITH CHIHUAHUA MAYOR CAMPOS IN FEBRUARY DURING THE ALL MEXICO U.S. SISTER CITIES MAYOR SUMMIT.
WE ARE HAPPY THAT MR. GARCIA HAS COME TO SAN ANTONIO AND REPRESENTATION FROM MAYOR CAMPOS TO BUILD NEW RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CITY.
>> MR. GARCIA, IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN THE MAYOR AT THE PODIUM TO RECEIVE THE SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE GIFT.
AND THIS GIFT IS PRESENTED TO THE MAYOR OF CHIHUAHUA AND THE RESIDENTS OF THEIR BEAUTIFUL CITY.
AND MOVING ON WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK COUNCILMAN TREVINO TO PRESENT OUR NEXT GUEST.
>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, SHERRY.
THANK YOU AGAIN AND I'M HAPPY TO WELCOME TWO ADDITIONAL GUESTS WHO ARE HERE TODAY REPRESENTING SPAIN.
THE DEPUTY MAYOR AND DIRECTOR OF CULTURE IN SPAIN.
CITY COUNCILMAN AND ARCHIVEST FOR THE CITY IN SPAIN.
A FRANCISCAN FRIAR VENTURED ON AN EXPEDITION IN 1665 TO THE AMERICAS AND OFFICIATED THE FIRST CATHOLIC MASS IN THE AREA KNOWN AS SAN ANTONIO.
HE ALSO HELPED FOUND THE SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO MISSION ON THE BANKS OF THE SAN PEDRO CREEK IN ITS THIRD ITERATION WE KNOW IT AS THE ALAMO.
HE ALSO HELPED TO ESTABLISH THE PRESIDIO SAN ANTONIO DE BEJAR AND HELPED TO DEVELOP THE ACEQUIA.
HE WORKED WITH THE INDIANS TO CREATE IMPORTANT LINKAGES IN THE REGION THAT REMAIN TODAY.
I WANT TO ALSO POINT OUT THAT PART OF OUR ARCHIVES ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY HERE AND WELCOME THE ARCHIVISTAR TO TAKE A LOOK.
>> WE ARE ASKING THEM TO COME UP AND PARTICIPATE IN THE GIFT EXCHANGE.
AND, AGAIN, RECEIVE THE SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE GIFT TO BE PRESENTED TO THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND RESIDENTS OF MOGER.
AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT THIS MORNING TO ALSO WELCOME ALL OF OUR FOREIGN DIPLOMATS AND MEMBERS WHO ARE VISITING SAN ANTONIO TODAY.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM HERE IN THIS ROOM.
THERE WILL BE MORE JOINING US THIS EVENING AT THE GALA.
OUR INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS ADD TO THE DIVERSITY OF OUR CITY
[01:25:01]
AND ONLY MAKE US STRONGER.FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., FROM THE DIPLOMATIC COURT THERE, MR. JULIO, DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION FROM THE EMBASSY OF CHILE IS HERE.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
>> I'M GOING TO READ THE NAMES OF SOME OF OUR OTHER GUESTS WHO ARE HERE.
IF THEY COULD JUST COME JOIN US HERE AT THE PODIUM FOR A PHOTOGRAPH.
THE CONSUL GENERAL AUDIO] AS WELL AS THE REST OF OUR GUESTS.
THE HONORABLE ALEXIS ANDRES, CONSUL GENERAL OF FRANCE IN HOUSTON.
THE HONORABLE ADRIANNE, CONSUL GENERAL OF IRELAND IN AUSTIN.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> AND I AM NOT SURE IF WE HAVE BEEN JOINED BY ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CONSULAR COURT THAT WE MAY HAVE MISSED.
>> MR. MAYOR, WE HAVE CONCLUDED THIS SESSION OF COUNCIL AND WE ARE GOING TO HAND IT BACK TO YOU.
AS YOU WALK UP TO THE DAIS I WANT TO MENTION TO ALL OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE GROUP PHOTOGRAPHS WITH ALL THE DELEGATIONS INDIVIDUALLY.
SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE REMAIN BEHIND AFTERWARDS AND HELP US IN PRESENTATION OF GIFT BAGS THAT WE'LL BE GIVING ALL OF THE DELEGATES.
AND IN THOSE GIFT BAGS WE HAVE A PASSPORT OF SAN ANTONIO AS WELL AS SOME OTHER SMALL TOKENS OF APPRECIATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TODAY FOR A MOST CEREMONIOUS BEGINNING TO OUR FOUNDERS DAY.
WE ARE A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE CITY.
WE ARE A CITY OF THE WORLD AND WE ARE THRILLED THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO JOIN US ON THIS REMARKABLE DAY FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
SO ON BEHALF OF OUR MILLION AND A HALF CITIZENS AND IN A TOAST TO OUR FUTURE 300 YEARS, WELCOME TO SAN ANTONIO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AT THIS TIME WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A VERY WARM WELCOME AND INVITATION TO OUR FOUNDERS DAY GALA.
IF YOU HAVE PLANS FOR BEING US WITH THIS EVENING, WE WILL SEE YOU.
ENJOY SAN ANTONIO AND ALL THE REST THAT WE HAVE DURING OUR COMMEMORATIVE WEEK.
THE TIME IS NOW 10:45 A.M. ON MAY 3, 2018.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL WILL RECESS AND RECONVENE AT 2:00 P.M. AND DISCUSS RELATED LEGAL ISSUES PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.087, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY.
AND TO DELIBERATE THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE, OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY AND DISCUSS RELATED ISSUES PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.072, REAL PROPERTY.
HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.