Old saying is blessed are the succinct, right?

Dear God, thank you for bringing us here today.

Help us to engage in a spirit of community cooperation.

Help us to honor you by serving the your children here in this community with honest hearts and good humor.

Help us to show respect and use our best minds and our best efforts to do your will.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

Please join us with the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

I honor the Texas flag.

I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Miss Reed?

Patricia, Patrice Reeb, there you are.

Come on up here.

Y'all come on.

Y'all know we always do the fun stuff at the beginning here, and I have a few proclamations today.

First one, whereas the values of compassion, empathy, and community support, are the foundation of a united and harmonious society, fostering connections that transcend differences, and whereas the strength and prosperity of Arlington is based in the selflessness of our residents to serve and uplift one another, and whereas a profound impact can be achieved when we extend a helping hand to our neighbors, especially those of diverse backgrounds, lifting them up and collectively working to improve lives.

And whereas volunteerism is not just a duty, but a source of personal fulfillment and community strength, and as we work side by side and learn from each other, mutual understanding increases.

Misconceptions are corrected, and new friendships are built.

And whereas we urge all citizens to care for one another and engage in acts of service and kindness that contribute to the betterment of Arlington and our residents' well-being regardless of background or belief.

Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the city of Arlington, do hereby proclaim April 8th of 2025 as just serve day.

It couldn't be more fitting in that last month, Arlington moved ahead of Houston as the most diverse city in the entire state of Texas, and the fourth most diverse in the country.

So we're very honored to give this proclamation to you today.

I'm supposed to say something.

I didn't prepare a single thing.

Just serve.org is a service initiative that is for communities throughout the world because it's a way to connect communities to build bridges among people of diverse backgrounds.

Cities, religions, nonprofit organizations, everyone can benefit from putting more service in your life and volunteerism in families and individuals and communities.

It just makes the world a better place and makes Arlington better.

Oh, y'all get on up here.

Come on.

Folks, these are the city of Arlington library staff here.

This is our librarians.

Whereas libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering a space where individuals of all ages can explore new ideas and be drawn to new possibilities.

And whereas libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background.

Lord, there's a bunch of young, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive.

And whereas libraries partners with schools, businesses, and organizations connecting the dots to maximize the resources, increase efficiency, and expand access to the essential services, strengthening the entire community.

And whereas libraries empower job seekers, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners by providing access to resources, training, and opportunities that support career growth and economic success.

And whereas libraries nurture young minds through story times, STEM programs, and literacy initiatives fostering a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

And whereas libraries protect the right to read, thank, and explore without censorship, standing as champions of intellectual freedom and free expression.

And whereas in fiscal year 24, the Arlington Public Library welcomed 716,980 visitors, circulated one million two hundred thousand three hundred and seventy-nine books, and four hundred and fifty thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven e-books, had sixty-two thousand one hundred and forty-seven program attendees, and eighty thousand eight hundred and forty-four computer users, and issued fourteen thousand three hundred and eighty-eight new library cards.

And whereas dedicated Arlington public workers provide welcoming spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all.

And whereas libraries across the country have joined together to celebrate National Library Week under the theme Drawn to the Library.

Now, therefore, I, Jim Ross, mayor of the City of Arlington, encourage all residents to visit their library, explore its resources, and celebrate how the library draws us together as a community, and do hereby proclaim April 6th through the 12th, 2025 as National Library Week.

I just wanted to take a moment.

I'm Norma Suniga, director of libraries, and I am extremely proud of this group and all the others that are currently working at the library.

They do amazing work day in and day out.

A lot of the things that we can't post on social media, but they do a lot of wonderful work.

They deal with a lot of hard things, and they come in and day in and day out to make sure that Arlington communities are engaged and are continually learning.

So I'm very, very grateful for this group.

Folks, we could not have a better group of people than Norma and her team looking after our kids in these libraries.

These are some of the most amazing people you could ever possibly meet.

So thank y'all for what you've done.

Now we got to take a picture.

All right, where are we gonna be?

Where are we gonna be?

You tell me, and we're pretty talking about it.

Oh next to this guy.