The Houston City Council met on June 9, 2026, to adopt the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, consider multiple proclamations, hear public testimony, and vote on a series of budget amendments. The meeting began with proclamations honoring Memorial Assistance Ministries, The Women's Hospital of Texas (50 years), the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce (10 years), and two first responders (Captain Andy Roseborough and Dr. Joyeth Lagesity). After public comments and discussion, the council approved the budget (15-1) and numerous related items.
The chair recognizes Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck for a proclamation to Memorial Assistance Ministries to recognize that nonprofit's efforts. Oh, you got it. Yeah, got it. Okay. There you go. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor. It's my honor to present this proclamation today to Memorial Assistance Ministries, one of my favorite organizations in District A. Whereas for more than 40 years, Memorial Assistance Ministries has empowered individuals and families across Greater Houston by providing the resources, skills, and support needed to achieve stability and long-term success through education, workforce development, financial empowerment, and comprehensive support services. And whereas on March 18th, 2026, community leaders, partners, and supporters gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Hamill Education Workforce Training Center, marking a significant milestone in Ma'am's continued growth and service to the community. And whereas the new 21,000 square foot facility expands Ma'am's Spring Branch campus and serves as a hub for career readiness, English language and computer education, small business development and innovation, and whereas as part of its growing our impact together initiative, a 22 million dollar campaign designed to meet the evolving needs of the Houston community. This expansion will enable Ma'am to serve more than 21,000 individuals annually and increases education and workforce training programs by 50%. And whereas the City of Houston congratulates Memorial Assistance Ministries on the expansion of its services and recognizes the organization's ongoing commitment to helping thousands of hardworking Houstonians build stronger and more secure futures. Thank you, Councilman Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck for bringing the Memorial Assistance Ministries to our attention. It's another example of the contributions of so many groups, nonprofits right to Houston's greatness. Congratulations on your new facility. Is Ma'am Day in the City of Houston. Congratulations. Thank you, Mayor Whitmeyer and Councilmember Peck. My name is Sonya G. It's my honor to be able to serve as the President CEO of Ma'am. My dad and my grandparents came to Houston over 80 years ago with a dream to make a better future for their family. And they found that opportunity here in Houston. They own some of the first businesses, and they certainly faced barriers. But what I'm so proud about is they, in addition to building a great future for their family, live their lives in service to help others to have opportunities just like they found in our amazing city. So I'm proud to be a Houstonian, I'm proud to be a product of Houston ISD of Rice University, and I'm proud that today, in a city that continues to grow, Ma'am gets to serve over 20,000 people and their pathways to lifelong stability. As you all know, we have an incredible city, so diverse with so much opportunity, but we also have a city with the largest poverty rate of any major city in the U.S. And so there's so much work for us to be done. It has been our honor and privilege to work together with Councilmember Peck and her team, and we're thankful for all of you and the service that you do to ensure that every single family, just like mine, now for two, and hopefully on our third generation, continue to have opportunities to live stable, healthy lives and to contribute to the vibrancy of our amazing city. So thank you so much for this incredible honor. We and my team that's here today love getting to work with our amazing community, and we're grateful for the recognition of the work that we do every single day. Council Member Huffman. Thank you. I continue to be impressed with Ma'am every single day. Thank you so much to you and your entire team. Congratulations. Thank you. Good luck. The chair now recognizes Councilmember Salinas for a proclamation to the women's hospital of Texas in honor of its 50 years of service. Thank you so much. So I have the honor of reading the uh presenting the proclamation to the women's hospital of Texas, whereas the women's hospital of Texas was founded in 1976 by a group of local physicians who recognize the need for a hospital exclusively devoted to the care of women and newborns, and who intentionally chose to name women's rather than women's to honor each patient as an individual and to reflect the personalized patient-centered approach to care. Whereas, since its opening, the women's hospital has delivered more than 300,000 babies and delivers more babies each month than any other hospital in the state of Texas. Whereas the hospital is a home to a level four Neil NATO intensive care unit, which provides the highest level of care for premature and critically ill newborns and is designed as a level four maternal program for obstetrics and high-risk pregnancy care. Whereas, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the women's hospital, Texas, the City of Houston proudly joins a community in celebrating the pioneering Houston and Texas institution and recognizes dedicated staff and leadership for their extraordinary contributions and lasting impact on the health and well-being of Houston women and families over the past five decades and counting. Thank you, Councilman Salinas, and what an excellent opportunity to tell us about the history of the woman's hospital. I just learned for myself why it's not the women's hospital, but it's a woman's hospital to emphasize the singular care of each and every individual. Thank you. Congratulations on your 50th year. We all know the best years are yet to come. So congratulations.