 Good afternoon. My name is Floyd Warren, the president and CEO of the Babcock Center. Each year the board is tasked with determining the subject of the Christmas ornament. It is a difficult decision as Columbia is a city with many beautiful historic sites. With that said, the Babcock Center Foundation is proud to unveil the 2021 official city ornament, depicting the Big Apple. The Big Apple built in 1915 was originally the House of Peace, Beth Shalom, synagogue. Its interior architecture, including a notable recess dome and a balcony, reflects the original function. The structure gained its greatest notoriety when used as an African-American nightclub in the 1930s and became known as the Big Apple Club. The dance known as the Big Apple originated here and spread across the country. Some historians say it was the third most popular dance craze in history of the United States. Swings dancers throughout the world still dance the Big Apple and honor its history and creative legacy. In the 1980s the Big Apple was moved from its original location at 1318 Park Street to the corner of Hampton and Park Street. Today the Big Apple continues to be rented for events such as weddings, parties, concerts and meetings. The Big Apple is listed in the National Registry as the House of Peace synagogue. Proceeds from the ornament sales will benefit the Babcock Center Foundation, firms from the ornament sales are used to enhance the lives of people with lifelong disabilities in a variety of ways such as providing medical assistance and care not covered by their insurance. As well as providing for the amenities of life that we all take for granted such as clothing, bedroom and home furnishing and resources for recreational and social activities. All these make it possible for the Babcock Center to achieve its mission to empower people with lifelong disabilities while they enjoy life by promoting abilities and respecting their choice. So on behalf of the foundation and the board of directors I would like to thank all of you of our lower collectors who are out there who have supported this project each year since 1993. It is very heartwarming to see the outpouring of support from the community at the holiday season. The contributions help us to achieve our mission and make our positive impacts on the lives of people with lifelong disabilities. Finally ornaments are $18 apiece and may be purchased at the Columbia's Visitor Center or by calling our foundation at the Babcock Center at 803-799-1970. You may also purchase online at www.babcockcenter.org. So it's my pleasure to present the official Christmas ornament for 2021 to our mayor Steve Benjamin who has been supporting us throughout his tenure here as mayor and we know that it's his last time so we want to thank him for all that he has done to support people at the Babcock Center and people with lifelong disabilities. It's wonderful to be here with you all and I'm going to read this proclamation that has very small print I might add those of you who might not realize I've been doing this since 2010 but I don't have 2010 eyes anymore. Whereas each year the Babcock Center Foundation board is tasked with determining the subject of the Christmas ornament whereas the Big Apple built in 1915 was originally the house of peace special arm synagogue it's an interior architecture including a notable recess dome and a balcony reflect its original function whereas the structure gained its greatest notoriety when used as an african-american nightclub in the 1930s became known as the Big Apple Club the dance known as the Big Apple originated here and spread across the country some historians say it was the third most popular dance craze in the history of the U.S. swing dancers throughout the world still dance the Big Apple and honor its history and creative legacy whereas in the 1980s the Big Apple has moved from its original location at 1318 Park Street to the corner of Hampton and Park Street today the Big Apple continues to be rented for events such as weddings parties concerts and meetings whereas the Big Apple is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Another prize Stephen K. Benjamin Mayor of the City of Columbia along with my fellow members of Columbia City Council do here by proclaim the Big Apple to be the 2021 official city ornament in the City of Columbia it really is an honor I think pretty amazing that as we begin the as we begin Hanukah begin Hanukah that we would recognize the Big Apple it is one of the many places in this community I think speaks to the amazing spirit of inclusion that defines Columbia the spirit that Shana John Gervais spoke of in 1786 it's a spirit that that allows a house a piece of synagogue built by the people of the house of of David to eventually become a place where African Americans live work played and prospered in one of our most historic districts the Washington district it's a place that allows us that to gather and this beautiful restored city hall just a few hours ago as we talked about major infrastructure investments and talk about the nearly 100 million dollars dedicated to rebuilding the Columbia Canal built by the blood sweat and tears of Irish indentured servants we are Columbia we're a Columbia in which those of us who come to work in this building every day or if we're differently able citizens who who work and who are supported by this wonderful Babcock Center each and every one of us has the opportunity to contribute to the whole of our lives in this country we have an opportunity to do great things with the with the powers and ability that God gives each and every one of us but we are stronger we are strongest when we come together and support good causes this has been supporting the Babcock Center and through purchasing this ornament and supporting the purchase of this ornament every single year has been one of the high points of my tenure here at the city of Columbia over the last nearly 12 years friend Josh Cruz just asked me in an interview what what my legacy might be and so often we we think of of the physical structures that men like to look back at and women like to look back at at stadiums and water sewer infrastructures and buildings and the like and the reality is that the greatest contribution that we can often leave I believe is it's do justly love mercy and walk humbly with God to bring people together to make sure that each and every one of us realize that we are only as strong as we are brothers and sisters keeper this speaks to that and it's an unauthorized to come together with you and your wonderful team at the Babcock Center to accept this on behalf of the people of Columbia to make a commitment for all future mayors I know Mayor Rick and then we'll be very excited about this event every single year and hopefully for another 30 years or so more we'll be able to do this in advancement of the goals and vision and mission of the Babcock Center and the people of Columbia may God bless you and keep you thank you