Volusia County, FL, Council Meeting
4 June 2024
Angelo Parra (225 words)

Good morning, and thank you, Chairman Brower, Council Members, County Manager, and county administration and staff for this opportunity. As a resident of Victoria Park in DeLand, it’s a true honor to be here today representing the Central Florida Freethought Community.

John Quincy Adams, our 6th President, said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

We are profoundly grateful to you – our leaders – for the long hours and often-underappreciated time, effort, and personal sacrifice that comes with your tireless commitment to your constituents.

As you serve our community, we ask that you embrace the spirit of inquiry and reason ... with a willingness to listen ... and a focus on building bridges of understanding ... embracing our differences as strengths ... strengths that enrich our community.

In your stewardship of Volusia, we ask – as you safeguard our home today – you remain mindful of our responsibility to future generations.

May the mutual love of friends and family and our collective hopes and dreams inspire you. It is through your generous commitment of time, creativity, and love of Volusia County that you make a brighter future for all of us.

I close with a quote Winston Churchill: “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.”

Thank you.