This month I had the special privilege of presenting a proclamation to Dr. Grace Butler, founder and board chair of Hope Through Grace Inc. and also a Stage III colon cancer survivor. Dr. Grace Butler started Hope Through Grace, Inc. to help low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals gain access to a life-saving colonoscopy to prevent colorectal cancer.

Hope Through Grace's mission is eliminating colorectal cancer through prevention and early detection. They are proud to offer cancer screening for early detection, survivorship support, education, advocacy, and services to raise awareness of colorectal cancer prevention, early detection and cancer care.

Congratulations Dr. Grace Butler!  Keep up the good work!

On March 29th, my wife and I partnered with The Houston Astros, Schlumberger and Congressman Al Green to sponsor the 9th Annual Health, Education, Science Fair & Carnival celebrating

South Central Sportz's 13th Annual Baseball Opening Day.  

I was honored to participate as a sponsor of an event that encourages youth baseball and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). As a child, I played baseball on an inner city field and I understand that this event is a long-held tradition and serves as an investment future of our community.

Our team was honored to present the team with a donation and throw out the opening pitch.

This month, I walked the streets of the South Belt Community with the Sagemont Civic Club to view blight in the neighborhood.

Thank you Mt. Canaan Baptist Church for organizing a cleanup on Selinksy Rd. this month. Chelbi Mims, from my staff, attended the event and worked with members of the church to improve the quality of life for residents in the community.

On March 26^th, 2014, Council Member Dwight Boykins supported the wishes of the South Belt community and voted NO on a resolution, which would have provided The Monarch apartment development with points towards its housing tax credit application.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs received applications in January of this year for the Competitive Housing Tax Credit Program for the development of low-income housing. As part of the application process, the developers seek Resolutions of Support or Resolutions of No Objection from City Council, which will add points to their application and make them more competitive.

In response to objections, Council Member Boykins was quoted as saying "The residents who live within this area know what is best for their community. I serve as an advocate for my constituents and I respect their decision to oppose this development." Council Member Boykins is a strong proponent of single-family housing. He will continue to voice his opposition to what is currently an over-abundance of multi-family units in District D. 

City Council voted to approve recommended revisions and administrative updates to Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances, which relates to the regulation of animals. Many within the City of Houston are familiar with BARC, which is the City of Houston's Animal Shelter and Adoption Facility, and the critical duties and responsibilities of the division. The updates will improve animal control and is a step in the right direction to prevent more occurrences of individual bite cases and near-fatal maulings.

It is normal for BARC to receive more than 400 requests for animal control service in a day and Council Member Boykins is dedicated to advocating for more funding for BARC during the upcoming budget deliberations. In addition, Council Member Boykins is engaging in discussions with Department Directors to address imposing stricter penalties on dog owners whose animals cause serious bodily injury.