2023-10-03 IV. A. Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation ,, _»,� =: �� say , F- �.
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Office of the Mayor
City of Okeechobee, Florida
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WHEREAS, domestic violence is a crime threatening the safety and lives of women, men,
teenagers, and children, directly or through the traumatic experience of living with it at •,
home; and "
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4 WHEREAS, victims of domestic violence are found in every race, culture, and socioeconomic
F strata and the cost to our community in lost time at work, increased emergency services,
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:. missed days of school, increased medical bills, and other economic and social costs makes
domestic violence a community health issue; and
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i. WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee is taking a proactive stance to counter domestic violence
x i through partnerships between Martha's House, Okeechobee's only certified domestic
violence center,law enforcement, school programs, and more; and
i, WHEREAS, in the past year, Martha's House has provided emergency services to more than 790
residents, including over 4,650 bed nights in shelter, 800 hotline calls, 670 safety plans,
9,400 meals served, and $17,000.00 in direct financial assistance to local victims; and
fir. WHEREAS, the President of the United States and Congress as well as other Federal agencies r
have expressed a commitment to eliminating domestic violence both nationally and
internationally.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., by virtue of the authority vested in me as
Mayor of the City of Okeechobee, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 2023 as Domestic
Violence Awareness Month in the City of Okeechobee in recognition of the important
work done by Domestic Violence Programs and victims' service providers. I urge all
citizens to actively participate in the scheduled activities and programs sponsored by
Martha's House of Okeechobee and other community organizations to work toward the
elimination of personal and institutional violence against women and girls.
In witness whereof, on October S, 2023, I have
set my hand and caused this seal to be affixed.
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Dowling R. Wa rd,4r., Mayor
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Attest/ � 1 �`,�L�
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Lane Gamiotea, , MC, City Clerk
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