Councilor, please come to order.

I'm gonna ask the mayor pro Tim to reside while we recognize our friends and guests.

The chair recognizes Councilmember Martinez for a proclamation to recognize Leticia Gary Simmons, the owner and designer of Billy Bowes, etc.

As as Lethia comes up, I just want to uh make sure folks know so month the month of May is National Small Business Month, and it highlights uh contributions on small businesses, and today um I'm proud to recognize one of our own Letisa Garay Simmons, born and raised in the East End in District I.

And so Letisa's creativity uh started in the East End.

She began making coronas, which is what she's wearing right now on her on her head for her daughter, and seeing the confidence and joy that it brought her daughter, she knew this was bigger than just art.

So she founded Billy Bo, etc.

Most people know her as the Corona Lady.

Letisha shows up for her community from as a member of Lulat Council 60.

She volunteers with the Houston Eastern Chamber of Commerce and supports events across the guy.

She doesn't just create, she uplifts.

And so, whereas Leticia designs custom coronas for special occasions and for women facing depression, chemotherapy, or cancer remission.

Each Christmas she donates 50 coronitas to organizations across Houston, including Texas Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald, McDonald's House, Latina Nutcracker Market, the Segundo Barrio Children's Choir, and make a wish make a wish recipients, spreading joy and affirming that all people are beautiful regardless of hair, size, or skin tone.

And whereas, as she is honored at Houston City Hall, City Hall in the presence of community, the City of Houston proudly recognizes Lethia Goray Simmons for her creativity, her beautiful coronas, and her dedication to empowering girls and women throughout our beloved city.

Thank you, Councillor Martinez, for giving us this opportunity to thank you publicly for bringing so much joy to so many.

Thank you.

You're very special, and you're another example of why we have such a great city that you would on your own start spreading so much love and joy.

So it's my privilege, as therefore our John Whitmire, mayor of the city of Houston, hereby proclaim May 5th, 2026 is Letitia Gary Simmons Day in the City of Houston.

Congratulations.

Real quick before she starts.

If I can have her mom and dad, please come up.

Our family as well.

Yes.

And uh just during my special moment.

Uh, your love means so much to me.

Thank you.

And um, I'm truly honored to receive this proclamation from the best city in the world.

Uh my houston, of course, alongside Councilman uh, thank you so much.

And Mr.

Whitmeyer over here.

And then uh over the years I've been blessed with the opportunity to serve my community through volunteering.

Um through those experiences, I've met so many inspiring people who have helped and share uh shape my journey and supported me as I continue to grow my small business, which this which is the Billy Bows, etc.

I'm incredibly thankful for every opportunity I've been given.

I've had the privilege of working with organizations as New Lak, Eastern Chamber of Commerce, uh Navashoes, and Hoodies for Heathen, uh volunteering my time with all of them.

Um giving back is something that is truly part of who I am.

I have donated to Texas Children's Hospital and uh Ronald McDonald House, Segundo Body of Children's Choir, and Make a Wish Foundation, alongside many others.

Being able to support these organizations and give back to my community means the world to me.

Um to continue this work and build stronger, build a stronger Houston, a city that loves that everyone loves to come to and support.

And uh to my son, Sophia, my son Corey, Sophia and Ray, which is not here right now, and my mom, my dad, and all my family that's here.

Thank you so much for everything and all your support.

And see if Houston.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem, and thank you, Mayor Whitmeyer, for issuing this proclamation.

It's my privilege to help recognize an organization called Compassionate Houston, which for 15 years has been a network of various groups, religious groups, uh, nonprofit centers here in Houston, and just people committed to making Houston a more compassionate place.

This year, Compassionate Houston is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and we have with us several officials from Compassionate Houston.

I'd invite them to come up at this time.

How are you?

So, Mayor, Compassionate Houston was founded on February 2nd, 2011, as I said, by individuals inspired by the principles of the Charter for Compassion and committed to enhancing the quality of life for all Houstonians through community-focused outreach, including their Compassion Week, which will be later this year.

They feature workshops and experiential events.

They host internationally recognized speakers and initiatives, and in fact, they'll have a luncheon uh just in a couple of weeks here on May the 20th, is it?

At the Junior League to forward uh what they do and support their efforts.

Um they feature another initiative called Compassion Through the Arts, which highlights artists and the essential role of creative arts in building compassionate communities.

And uh they have received recognition for their contributions, Mayor.

In 2013, Mayor Parker first recognized Houston as a compassionate city, and then a couple of years later, Mayor Turner uh issued the same designation.

Uh so today or today, Mayor, in celebration of their 15th anniversary, uh, we're hoping that you will reaffirm the diligent work that they do and their members do, and honor them for their contributions for promoting a community that nurtures empowerment, understanding, collaboration, unity, and goodwill.

Thank you for spreading the word about compassionate Houston.

Thank you.

And this chamber is full of compassionate Houstonians.

So your work is paying off.

Paying off.

And I think we all know what a compassionate city it is led by your organization.