One For All E-Newsletter: June 2021 Edition

Dear Friends,

As June rolls to a close, we should take a moment to reflect on the events that have already occurred this summer. Building on these, we must continue our work to end discrimination and mass incarceration, secure equality for all, stop the assault on voting rights, remove the remnants of Jim Crow, and provide an equitable recovery from the devastating effects of COVID throughout Harris County.

On Thursday, June 17, it was an honor to be present at the White House where President Biden officially made Juneteenth a national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Although this holiday is not new to many, officially designating it a national holiday serves as a reminder to the entire country. Each year, we will have the opportunity to ask ourselves what we are doing to fulfill the promise of opportunity and freedom the emancipated slaves felt 156 years ago.

After experiencing that historic moment, our second annual Juneteenth Bike Ride along the Emancipation Trail, which is the 51-mile route that newly freed men, women, and children took as they made their way from Galveston when they learned of their freedom on June 19, 1865, was even more memorable than it was last year. (photos here).

June also marked the end of a 30-year effort to change the names of 16 Texas geographical sites with racially offensive names. As a state Senator, I proposed the name changes 30 years ago, but they were finally approved by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (USGBN). These changes will remove the word “Negro” from the sites that served as reminders of the Jim Crow system.

Everywhere you look this month, LGBTQIA+ flags are flying as we celebrate Pride Month with our friends and neighbors. I'm proud of Harris County for adopting a LGBTQIA+ Non-Discrimination policy in 2019. The policy provides long-overdue protections for sexual orientation and gender identity for Harris County employees. With each victory, we get closer to true equality.

As the effects of COVID continue to linger for many of our most vulnerable neighbors, Harris County received its first installment of the $915M relief package from the American Rescue Plan Act. By prioritizing housing, health and jobs, we will strive to lift working families to ensure all families thrive, not just scrape by. We must invest these funds equitably if we want to see a fairer society and stronger Harris County.

We want to hear your ideas about how we can ensure that quality, accessible housing, health, and jobs are available to everyone. Please take a moment to give us your feedback by completing this survey (available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese).

As we are one month into hurricane season, it is important to give you an update on the General Land Office’s (GLO) refusal to give Houston and Harris County any of the $1 billion federal flood mitigation funding. GLO recently announced an amendment to the Texas Action Plan that will set aside $750 million in CDBG-MIT funding for Harris County. Despite this last-minute action, the decision still leaves Harris County and the City of Houston with an over $1 billion funding gap for flood control projects. I will continue to keep you updated on this matter, and as always, fight for every dollar that is owed to the Houston region to ensure that residents are protected with the flood control infrastructure we need and deserve.

Sincerely,

MAJOR TAYLOR JOINS THE MOVING MONUMENTS FLEET

Precinct One unveiled the newest Moving Monument in June. The RideONE bicycle program's trailer honors America's first Black sports hero, Marshall "Major" Taylor. Before heavyweight champion boxer Jack Johnson, four-time Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens and baseball great Jackie Robinson broke racial barriers within the world of sports, Marshall Taylor (1878 - 1932), known simply as Major Taylor, captured the world’s respect and adoration as he won the 1899 World Cycling Championship in Montreal, Canada. Throughout his rise to the top of his sport, Major Taylor overcame abject racism and brutal racing conditions. Moving Monuments is a public art project meant to reflect the shared ideals and values of Precinct One, and to elevate social justice heroes who broke down barriers, fought for equality, and led movements toward justice.

EL FRANCO LEE BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Looking for a serene spot to interact with nature?

Try a visit to the Butterfly Garden at El Franco Lee Park. The spacious garden, which opened in 2017, contains native and adapted pollinator-friendly plants that support butterflies as well as other insects and wildlife. The garden is a part of the attractions on a 2-mile trail looping the 100-acre wetland that enables users to explore varied ecosystems near Clear Creek. As an added attraction in late fall, monarch butterflies can be spotted during their migration south to Mexico.