We're thankful for our community involved.

And for the families that live, work, and raise their families here.

We ask that you give your blessing on this city council meeting for the city council members, give them wisdom, that they make good decisions that build strong, safe community, and a spirit of cooperation in their decisions.

We ask that you bless our policemen, our firefighters, our first responders, and their families.

Keep them safe.

We

ask this in your name, Jesus.

Amen.

Thank you,

Altamir.

Seriously.

Whereas pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers, delivery critical services to patients, and contributing to the health and well-being of all people, and whereas pharmacists are best positioned to be the health care provider that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes and helps to ensure patients are adherent to their medications.

And whereas in the United States today, there are over three hundred thousand licensed pharmacists, over four hundred thousand far pharmacy technicians, and forty-seven thousand student pharmacists providing care and serving as patient advocates for ensuring access to the best and safety therapy to the patients they serve, and whereas the American Pharmacist Association and the Illinois Pharmacist Association have declared October as American Pharmacist Month.

Now, therefore, I, Janessa Neal, as Mayor of the City of Rockford, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2026 to be American Pharmacist Month in Rockford, Illinois, and urge all our citizens to acknowledge and make use of the valuable services of pharmacists to provide safe, accessible, affordable, and beneficial patient care services and products to all residents and protect the public health of our communities.

Congratulations.

Would you like to say a few words?

Thank

you, Mary Neil.

So my name is Dr.

Tony Rosella.

I'm one of the uh professors for the College of Pharmacy here in Rockford, Illinois.

We're a satellite campus for UIC Chic well, University of Illinois, Chicago.

And it uh humbles me here today to accept this proclamation on behalf of UIC.

I was born as a native Rockfordian, and I hope that a proclamation like this, this is my second time ever accepting this proclamation.

Um I hope that proclamations like these will increase awareness for our patients and our communities that there are medication experts, whether it be your community pharmacists, the pharmacists in hospitals, or the pharmacy students that work very hard for four years, uh, that we are accessible and we're here for any questions that you have, whether it be for your prescription medications, over the counters, or maybe just even medical questions, and we can be a good triage and you know, afford you to the right care that you need because we are the most accessible uh health care professionals that are in our community.

Thank

you.

Do we have any members from the Kaleidoscope of ERG with us?

Whereas Spirit Day is observed each year to stand against bullying and harassment of LGBTQIA plus youth to raise awareness about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, and to promote communities where every young person can live, learn, and participate free from bullying and harassment.

And whereas October 15th, 2026 provides an opportunity for individuals, families, schools, organizations, businesses, and community leaders to stand together in support of kindness, acceptance, dignity, and respect for all people.

And whereas bullying, harassment, and discrimination can have lasting effects on young people, and creating self and welcoming and creating safe and welcoming schools and communities is a shared responsibility.

And whereas Spirit Day encourages people to wear purple and participate in activities that promote inclusion, understanding, and support for LGBTQIA plus youth and their allies, and whereas our community is strengthened when all residents are treated with dignity and when young people are encouraged to learn, grow, and contribute without fear of bullying or exclusion.

And whereas Spirit Day offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to respectful dialogue, compassion, and safe and welcoming environments for everyone.

Now therefore, I, Janessa Neal, as mayor of the city of Rockford, do hereby proclaim October 15th, 2026 to be Spirit Day in Rockford, Illinois, and encourage all residents to wear purple, stand against bullying and harassment, and demonstrate kindness, acceptance, and support for LGBTQIA plus youth and their allies.

Congratulations.

Did you want to say a few words?

Thank you very much for having us tonight.

Or I guess just me.

Yes, if you are helping to support uh LGBTQI youth, uh especially anti-bullying practices in our schools.

We encourage you to wear purple.

Go to GLAD.org.

That's G-L-A-A-D.

Uh and you can sign the pledge and be recognized there and share your information.

So

thank you so much.

Congratulations.

And

now we will move into public speakers, but before we do, I was hoping that we could take a moment of silence for Alderman Frank Beach's uh wife who passed away recently, uh Miss Sonia Beach.

Um let's uh stand for a couple minutes and recognize and honor Mrs.

Sony Beach.

Our thoughts remain with uh our friend here, Alderman Frank Beach as he uh moves through the grieving process with his uh dear wife Sonia.

We have five speakers tonight.

The first speaker, uh Prophet Yusuf, um if you want to come forward, Prophet.

Uh so reminder of public speakers, you have three minutes uh at the end of three minutes, you'll hear an alarm.

I'll give you about a 15-second.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

And the book of John, the 13th chapter, the 34th verse.

Jesus said, a new command I give, love one another as I have loved you.

So you must love one another.

By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.