06/20/2016
Several states, counties, and communities across the US have officially
recognized the public contributions of Amateur Radio, in advance of ARRL Field
Day on June 25-26.
Michigan Gov Rick Snyder cited Amateur Radio's role as "a bridge between
peoples, societies, and countries, by creating friendships and the sharing of
ideas," in proclaiming June 20-26 as "Amateur Radio Week." Snyder cited Amateur
Radio's voluntary community service and its role in emergencies and disasters.
Minnesota Gov Mark Dayton proclaimed June 25-26 as "Amateur Radio Operator
Recognition Days. The proclamation notes that the Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) have been
trained to provide effective emergency communication and support. "During times
of national, state, and local emergency, and for community and public events,
Amateur Radio operators have provided communication resources at no cost," the
proclamation said. It also cites weather spotting and reporting activities
through the SKYWARN program, and ham radio educational activities.
Missouri Gov Jay Nixon declared the month of June as "Amateur Radio Month in
Missouri." Nixon recognized radio amateurs for contributing "countless hours of
uncompensated community service" for public events, as well as support to
governmental and nongovernmental organizations in times of emergency.
Oklahoma Gov Mary Fallin proclaimed the week of June 20 as Amateur Radio Week
and urged all Oklahomans recognize Amateur Radio's public service
contributions. The proclamation noted that Field Day was a chance for hams to
hone their emergency preparedness skills.
Florida Gov Rick Scott declared June 20-26 as "Amateur Radio Week in Florida,"
calling Amateur Radio "a critical communication link in the event of a
disaster" and recognizing the support that Florida's radio amateurs provide in
times of emergency, including their role as SKYWARN weather spotters, as well
as during various community events.
Echoing the state proclamation, some individual Florida communities released
their own statements of recognition for Amateur Radio. The Town of Jupiter
declared June 22-26 as "Amateur Radio Week." A proclamation signed by Mayor
Todd Wodraska pointed out the State's recognition of Amateur Radio's
communication support in emergencies and public service events. City of Lake
Worth Mayor Pam Triolo also declared June 20-26 as "Amateur Radio Week, in
recognition of Amateur Radio's role in emergency and public service
communication, and points to Field Day as a 24-hour emergency preparedness
exercise and demonstration of skills and readiness to provide self-supporting
communications without further infrastructure. The City of Palm Beach Gardens,
in a proclamation signed by Mayor Marcie Tinsley, also declared June 20-26 as
Amateur Radio Week," noting that radio amateurs are celebrating more than a
century "of the miracle of the human voice broadcast over the airwaves."
In neighboring Georgia, the City of Jackson proclaimed June 20-26 as "Amateur
Radio Week" in the municipality. A proclamation signed by Mayor Kay Pippin
pointed to Amateur Radio's "countless hours of community service both in
emergencies and to other organizations throughout [the] decades." Mayor Pippin
pointed out that ham radio operators are highly skilled volunteers who receive
no compensation for their efforts on the public's behalf. Invitations to visit
the Butts County ARES Field Day operation were extended to the mayor, Council,
and visitors.
On the opposite coast, the Board of Supervisors of Ventura County, California,
proclaimed June as "Amateur Radio Month." The statement recognized Amateur
Radio's contribution in terms of emergency communication, advanced
communications technology, and educational opportunities to prospective
licensees. The proclamation declared that ARES volunteers in Ventura County
"stand ready to provide their own equipment and apply their training and skills
at no charge during events such as earthquakes, fires, and floods." ARRL Santa
Barbara Section Manager Jim Fortney, K6IYK, invited Board members to attend
Field Day operations at three locations in Ventura County.
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