By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano proclaimed April 2022 as “Autism Awareness Month.”
Lozano made the proclamation during the April 12 meeting of the Del Rio City Council. He was joined by Mexico Consul in Del Rio Paloma Villaseñor Vargas and a bevy of queens from the Miss Val Verde Pageant program.
“Whereas, globally, World Autism Awareness Day has been observed since April 2, 2008; and whereas, the prevalence of autism in the United States has risen from one in 50 children in 2021, and the focus of the events around the world aim to increase awareness about people with autism, especially children; and
“Whereas the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared, ‘The UN supports the rights of persons with autism to fully participate in society, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of these inequalities through the loss or reduction of services at schools and homes, and the solution lies in more community-based support systems for persons with autism. We must establish inclusive education systems and training programs that enable students with autism to access the educational path of their choice. And we must make technology solutions available for persons with autism to live independently in their communities,’ and
“Whereas, the Consulate of Mexico in Del Rio promotes the Autism Speaks campaign ‘Light It Up Blue!’ to increase awareness about autism, therefore many wear blue in April, while monuments and buildings around the world are illuminated in that color, including many in the United States; and
“Whereas, our sister city of Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico has agreed to illuminate buildings and monuments in blue, and the city of Del Rio will be doing the same; and whereas, the city of Del Rio recognizes that April is internationally recognized as Autism Awareness Month,
“Now, therefore, I, Bruno J. Lozano, mayor of the city of Del Rio, Texas, do hereby proclaim April 2022 as ‘Autism Awareness Month,’ and I call upon the citizens and visitors of the city of Del Rio to wear blue during April and participate in the educational activities surrounding this month of awareness and inclusion, and I call upon residents and business owners to illuminate their homes and buildings in blue during April,” Lozano read.
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Contact the author at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
