Avondale council issues multiple proclamations and recognizes Fire Medical Citizens Academy participants

The Avondale City Council read and issued several proclamations and recognized community programs during its April 7 meeting. Officials honored April as the Month of the Military Child and acknowledged Sergeant Christopher Beckett of the Avondale Police Department and his family; guests from Luke Air Force Base attended and Samuel Smith, the base's school-liaison program manager, described services for military-connected students.

Council also proclaimed April 2025 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week and emphasized the theme of "kinship" and the role of victim advocates and community partners. The council read a National Library Week proclamation and announced winners of the Avondale Public Library bookmark-design contest: Grayson Munce (K-3), Melanie Fimbres (4-8) and Gerli Gerlene Kor (9-12). Officials additionally proclaimed the Week of the Young Child and highlighted a weekend Kid Fest and a Superhero 5K whose proceeds support the Southwest Family Advocacy Center.

Avondale also recognized the Avondale Fire Medical Citizens Academy: staff said nine participants completed most of the sessions across station tours, EMS/CPR training, stop-the-bleed and special-operations demonstrations; Mike Martin, one of the participants, spoke about the value of the experience. Chief Rooney and outreach coordinator Gabby Babinski introduced the graduates.

Finally, the council proclaimed National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 13-19) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Volunteer Week (April 5-11), with representatives from Voices for CASA Children and victim-advocacy staff addressing the council on the role their organizations play.

These items were ceremonial proclamations and community recognitions; no formal legislative action was taken on the proclamations themselves.