I would ask um Martha Cassidy Tatum, our Mayor Pro Tim to please preside while we do our proclamations.

Who is the first Martinez?

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Martinez for a proclamation to Y Summit founded by Ed Curtis.

Thank you, Mayor Protein.

If I can have Ed come up as well.

So, colleagues, uh, Y Texas Summit is coming to Houston this September at Dyking Park.

Houston will take the center stage for a summit that blends business, sports, technology, and education, focus in economic development.

Sounds like Houston to me.

This summit was originally in Dallas, but we will now have the opportunity to tell the Houston story.

With that, I'm gonna read the proclamation.

Um I'm glad that we have uh Ed here with the with this cohort of folks uh not just from Houston but from around Texas that will be uh leading this summit.

So with that, whereas white Texas serves as a resource for economic development, acting as a connector for industry executives, economic development professionals, community leaders, and educators who share a deep commitment to the long-term prosperity of Texas.

And whereas, through its robust media platforms, expansive professional network and signature events, white Texas provides a valuable forum for the exchange of ideas, insights, best practices across the regions and industries.

And whereas on Wednesday, September the 24th, 2025, the fifth annual Y Texas summit will take place at Dyking Park in downtown Houston, bringing together business executives, community leaders, educators from across the state.

And whereas by celebrating innovation technology across the across sectors, the Y Texas Summit encourages investments, fosters public-private collaboration, and supports the development of skilled and sustainable workforce for future generations.

And whereas the City of Houston commends Y Texas for its ongoing commitment to economic vitality, thought leadership, and community advancement, and extends it its gratitude for selecting Houston as the whole city for this milestone event.

Thank you, Councilman Martinez and white Texas uh your leadership.

Certainly know how to have a crowd.

So thank you for bringing this all together and thank you for your summit collaboration and the opportunity for inclusion.

So it's a great event and great that councilmember that you bring it to our attention.

So therefore, I, John Whitmore, mayor of the city of Houston, hereby proclaim July 29th, 2025 as Y Texas Day in Houston, Texas.

Well, good afternoon, Honorable Mayor, esteemed City Council members, city leaders, and fellow Houstonians.

On behalf of our entire team and the broader community we represent, I'm deeply honored and humbled to accept this official proclamation recognizing Y Texas Day here in the vibrant and diverse city of Houston, Texas.

Texas is just is more than a place on a map.

It has it is a spirit.

It's a story, it's a shared pride that lives in the hearts of everyone who calls this great state home.

I, like many, wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could.

1993.

What I immediately noticed when I moved here was that Texans were welcoming.

They were resilient, innovative, and most importantly, proud.

And I can tell you many people in this room have a similar story.

That, in my opinion, is the true Texas miracle.

And why Texas Day is a celebration of exactly that.

It's a day to reflect on what makes Texas unique, a reminder to take one day a year to recognize a fellow Texan, expand your network, and help mentor a next generation Texan.

Here in Houston, the fourth largest city in the nation, and one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we proudly reflect the true mosaic of Texas.

Today's proclamation reaffirms that Houston is a leader and that our history matters and that our love for the state continues to inspire progress.

I want to thank the City of Houston for acknowledging this day and for getting giving us the platform to promote our organization, our annual summit to be held on September 24th, 2025 at Dyken Park.

We invite you, Mayor, and the entire city council to join us on September 24th.

We actually gave you all a pin to thank you for your service and create a bigger community for what we have here in Texas.

So thank you.

May God bless Texas and may God bless the city of Houston.

Mr.

Curtis, I know that some of the folks that are standing around with you are also panelists on uh September 24th.

I didn't know if you wanted to take a little time to introduce some of the folks standing with you.

We're all looking forward to uh the event on September 24th.

Oh, absolutely.

Yeah.

Uh Arnold Castro from Texas AM University.

He's the assistant dean of AI at Texas AM University.

Nice.

Uh Mike Matus with NVIDIA, rather large employer here in Houston and in Texas.

Um we have Liz Hucker, who is with the NYSC Texas.

So the whole Y'all Street concept, right?

New York Stock Exchange coming to Texas.

Um we have uh Aaron George, who is a new um, he's a high school graduate, but he is now uh attending UTRGV, and he is one of our interns.

Um we have Jason Day, who's with the Department of Public Safety.

Um, Dr.

Laura Marillo, who we all love and know well.

Um we have Linda Head, who is uh another great fixture here in the in the community of Houston and was honestly one of the first people to help us uh launch the concept here in Houston.

And we have Chris Mascardo, who is a uh intern and uh a student, a senior at Texas AM University.