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Palm Beach County commissioners issue a flurry of January proclamations and recognitions
Summary
At its January session, the board issued proclamations recognizing the 'Year to Rediscover Reading,' Mentoring Month, Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, National Crime Stoppers/Crime Prevention Month and the National Battle of the Bands Day, and honored long-serving nonprofit and county staff leaders.
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners opened its January session with several proclamations and recognitions across literacy, mentoring, public safety and culture.
Highlights included a proclamation naming 2026 the 'Year to Rediscover Reading' (inviting the Palm Beach County Library System and its bookmobile), a Mentoring Month proclamation (citing United Way and Youth Services partnerships), and recognition of Robert Berdish for 45 years as executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. The board also proclaimed January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and honored Crime Stoppers and MLK Coordinating Committee activities and the inaugural South Florida Pepsi National Battle of the Bands on Jan. 17.
Doug Crane, director of the County Library System, thanked the board and promoted the bookmobile outside the government center: "Reading is fundamental ... I invite everyone to come down. If you don't have a card, you can get one from the bus," he said. Robert Berdish thanked the board for recognizing Legal Aid's role in serving vulnerable residents for decades. Crime Stoppers leaders described tip-line successes and community outreach efforts.
Why it matters: These proclamations signal county support for literacy, mentoring, victim services and cultural events that will involve county programs, nonprofit partners and community volunteers.
Next steps: Many organizations present said they will continue outreach and convene events throughout January; staff indicated follow-up meetings and collaborations with commissioners' offices for event participation and promotion.
