City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
NATIONAL IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH
June 1 – 30, 2025
WHEREAS, People from around the globe have migrated to the United States, seeking opportunity, safety, connection, and a new beginning. While many have arrived in pursuit of better livelihoods and family reunification, others have been displaced by forces beyond their control—including violence, war, political instability, corruption, climate change, and poverty; and WHEREAS, any discussion of migration must be grounded in the historical context of colonization, which disrupted Indigenous cultures, ecosystems, and sovereignty. The lands on which we live—including the land now called San Rafael—were first stewarded by the Coast Miwok people, who remain an integral part of the community and whose enduring presence calls us to honor their heritage and recognize the lasting impacts of settler colonialism; and
WHEREAS, communities enriched by the diversity of backgrounds, languages, and traditions benefit from shared values, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange. When people come together to acknowledge historical wounds, build understanding, and collaborate, they lay the foundation for inclusive progress and a shared future; and
WHEREAS, many immigrants have had pathways to citizenship, and others have faced multiple barricades to their start or process of pursuing of citizenship, rights, and freedoms, through the systemic challenges of the immigration process and systems; and
WHEREAS, more than 1 in 4 residents of San Rafael were born in another country. The City of San Rafael supports and encourages the community to welcome and embrace new residents who have immigrated here, respect and acknowledge their pathways to this point, and work to better understand each other and the common threads that unite us.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby proclaim June 1 – 30, 2025, as National Immigrant Heritage Month, and encourages all residents to recognize their own heritage, the immigration stories of our families, and the continued need for acceptance and understanding, and that all voices and experiences have a need to be heard, valued, and respected.
Kate Colin
Mayor
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
JUNE 6, 2025
WHEREAS, The first Friday in June is declared as National Gun Violence Awareness Day to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and to declare that as a country, state, city, and individually, we all must do more to educate ourselves on and reduce gun violence; and WHEREAS, gun violence remains a leading cause of death among American children and teens, surpassing motor vehicle accidents. In 2023, over 4,700 children and teens (ages 0–19) were killed by firearms in the United States, accounting for nearly 1 in 10 gun-related deaths nationwide; and WHEREAS, every day, more than 100 Americans are killed by gun violence, and on average, there are more than 13,000 gun-related homicides every year, and Americans are 25 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; and
WHEREAS, supporting the Second Amendment and advocating for responsible gun ownership are not mutually exclusive with implementing common-sense measures to prevent gun violence, including universal background checks, safe storage laws, and red flag laws that help keep firearms out of the hands of individuals with dangerous histories; and
WHEREAS, research shows that gun violence is often preceded by warning signs and that effective intervention and support—especially around mental health, domestic violence, and youth conflict—can save lives and prevent further trauma in our communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael reaffirms its commitment to ending the epidemic of gun violence and calls on community members, leaders, and lawmakers to take action to reduce firearm-related deaths through education, advocacy, and policy reform. We pledge to promote safe gun storage, support violence intervention programs, and ensure that all San Rafael residents—especially our youth—can live free from the threat of gun violence.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby proclaim June 6, 2025, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and does hereby recognize the urgent need to address gun violence as a public health and safety crisis and urges all residents to join in the shared effort to build a safer, stronger, and more resilient community for all.
Kate Colin
Mayor
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
ALZHEIMER'S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH
June 1-30, 2025
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide, including community members in San Rafael, and has a lasting impact on the family, friends, and supporters of those with Alzheimer’s; and
WHEREAS, more than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, and this number is expected to triple by 2060; and WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the only disease among the top ten causes of death that cannot be prevented or cured; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael recognizes the importance of raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and the need for support and services for individuals and families affected by these conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Alzheimer's Association and other organizations are dedicated to Alzheimer's research and to encouraging all community members to learn more about the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, seek early diagnosis, and support ongoing research efforts; and WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael supports efforts to increase public awareness, provide education, and promote research to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, their caregivers, and the friends and family that support and are impacted by their diagnosis.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby proclaim June as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and encourage initiatives that promote awareness, education, and support for those affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Kate Colin
Mayor
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER,
INTERSEX, ASEXUAL, PLUS (LGBTQIA+) PRIDE MONTH
JUNE 1 – 30, 2025
WHEREAS, the LGBTQIA+ community encompasses a diverse range of identities, including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other gender-diverse individuals, and represents a rich spectrum of lived experiences; and
WHEREAS, June is globally recognized as Pride Month, commemorating the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, in New York City, which served as a catalyst for the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement and ignited an enduring push for equity, dignity, and human rights; and
WHEREAS, Pride Month offers an essential opportunity to reflect on significant milestones, celebrate cultural and civic contributions by LGBTQIA+ individuals across sectors, and reaffirm our collective responsibility to advance inclusion, combat bigotry, and secure justice for all; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and communities have historically faced and continue to face discrimination, stigma, and violence in various aspects of life, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education; and particularly transgender and nonbinary people continue to experience disproportionately high rates of violence, discrimination, and mental health challenges; and WHEREAS, in 2025, Pride Month embraces the national theme of "Reflect. Empower.
Unite.", encouraging communities to honor the resilience of LGBTQIA+ individuals, empower voices to be heard, and unite efforts toward inclusion and equity for all,
WHEREAS, the rainbow flag, along with the expanded Progress Pride Flag, represents Pride and a continued fight for intersectional equity and visibility for historically marginalized subgroups within the LGBTQIA+ community. The City of San Rafael will observe Pride Month 2025 by raising the Progress Pride Flag and hosting events that uplift LGBTQIA+ voices and foster belonging for all.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby proclaim June 1 – 30, 2025, as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual, Plus (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, to inspire equity, create alliances, celebrate diversity, and establish the City as a safe environment, and to unequivocally show this support, directs staff to fly the Progress Pride Flag at City Hall for the entirety of the month of June.
Kate Colin
Mayor
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
JUNETEENTH
June 19, 2025
WHEREAS, Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day,” commemorates June 19, 1865—the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and by Executive Order enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, thus ensuring freedom for the last remaining enslaved people in the United States; and WHEREAS, First celebrated in Texas on June 19, 1866, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally observed commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States and was established as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, with the signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act; and WHEREAS, Juneteenth has grown into a powerful national celebration of African American culture, heritage, and achievement, and serves as a time of acknowledge, reflect, and renew commitment to racial equity and social justice; and
WHEREAS, The City of San Rafel acknowledges the individual and collective trauma inflicted upon enslaved persons and the inherited trauma of their descendants and families; we remember and honor their resilience and strength to continue to move forward against adversity; and WHERAS, a 2025 theme of Juneteenth is “Together We Ride the Juneteenth: Wave of Freedom to Liberty,” highlighting the collective effort and shared journey towards freedom and liberty, emphasizing the importance of unity and shared responsibility in achieving a more equitable society.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby proclaim June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth, as an official holiday for the City of San Rafael in observance of the emancipation of enslaved persons in the United States and the City reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the civil rights, safety, and dignity of all its residents.
Kate Colin
Mayor
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
REV. DR. JANE “JANIE” ADAMS SPAHR
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr, affectionately known as "Janie," is a Presbyterian minister who has dedicated her life to advocating for justice and equality, particularly for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community; and
WHEREAS, ordained in December 1974 by the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, Dr. Spahr served as Assistant Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in San Rafael, California, from 1975 to 1979. In 1979, she became Executive Director of the Oakland Council of Presbyterian Churches but was compelled to resign in 1980 upon coming out as a lesbian; and
WHEREAS, in response to institutional exclusion, Dr. Spahr embraced her identity and ministry by serving from 1980 to 1982 as Minister of Pastoral Care at the Metropolitan Community Church in San Francisco's Castro district, providing spiritual support to the LGBTQ+ community; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, she co-founded the Ministry of Light, later known as the Spectrum Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns in Marin County, California, where she served as Executive Director for over a decade, establishing vital programs such as the Marin AIDS Project, PFLAG Marin, and youth and family support services; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, Dr. Spahr was called to serve as one of four co-pastors at Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, New York, but was denied the position by the Presbyterian Church's highest court due to her sexual orientation, leading to the formation of "That All May Freely Serve," an initiative advocating for inclusivity within the church; and WHEREAS, in 2015, the Spectrum Center merged with the Marin AIDS Project to form The Spahr Center, a nonprofit named in her honor, which provided life-saving support services, community education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and people living with and affected by HIV in Marin County; and WHEREAS, in 2025, Dr. Spahr has been instrumental in the formation of the Marin LGBTQ+ Center which recently celebrated its opening at the Multicultural Center of Marin; and
WHEREAS, her unwavering dedication to justice, her pioneering role in LGBTQ+ ministry, and her compassionate leadership have inspired countless individuals and contributed significantly to the advancement of civil rights and inclusion within religious communities.
WHEREAS, Dr. Spahr has officiated numerous same-sex marriages, challenging denominational prohibitions and facing ecclesiastical trials, yet remaining steadfast in her commitment to equality and pastoral care; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael recognize and honor the Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr for her extraordinary contributions to social justice, her courageous advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights within the faith community, and her enduring legacy of compassion, resilience, and transformative leadership.
Kate Colin
Mayor