Santa Clara County board adopts several May proclamations, honors employees

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors adopted a slate of proclamations and presented commendations and employee awards during its May 5 meeting, approving items a through k on the consent presentation except item 7(g). A motion to adopt the proclamations was moved and seconded; the measure carried with four votes in favor and one abstention.

The package of proclamations recognized May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month; Internal Audit Awareness Month; Affordable Housing Month; Resource Parent Appreciation Month (foster parents); Older Americans Month; and International Workers’ Day, among other observances. The board joined community presenters in honoring each observance and invited representatives to accept proclamations onstage.

The declarations were followed by brief remarks from community and county representatives. A presenter for the AANHPI proclamation described May events organized by the county’s Asian Pacific Islander employee committee and noted that AANHPI communities are a significant share of the county population. Ray Chung, who identified himself as a board member of the San Jose chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, thanked the board for recognizing internal auditors and said their work supports “transparency, accountability, and integrity.” Regina Celestin Williams, introduced as executive director of SV@Home, said the county must build and preserve deeply affordable housing, citing Measure A investments and a county pipeline of projects ready to build. She said, “This housing affordability crisis didn't happen overnight and it won't be solved overnight.”

Officials also honored resource parents and foster-care partners. Denise Marchue, who identified herself as executive director of the Kinship, Adoptive and Foster Parent Association (CAFPA), described long-term caregivers who provide medical and emotional support for children in care and thanked the county for the recognition. Vanessa Merlano, acting director of the Department of Aging and Adult Services, accepted the Older Americans Month commendation and described demographic shifts that increase demand for age‑friendly services.

The board presented a posthumous commendation and retirement recognition, and recognized a county employee, Dominic Dello Buono, for his work in the Weights and Measures division. Supervisors also handed out employee excellence awards across multiple departments, including public defender’s office, sheriff’s office, registrar of voters, social services, child support, Valley Health Care, behavioral health, and county fire.

Formal vote: the motion to adopt the listed proclamations and commendations (items a–k, with 7(g) removed from the package) carried with four aye votes and one abstention. The board adjourned and scheduled its next meeting for May 6 at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting included only ceremonial proclamations, recognitions, and awards; no new ordinances, contracts, or policy actions were adopted during the portion of the agenda covered in this report.