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RESOLUTION NO. 2025 - 3 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, HONORING MICHAEL CAPPONI WITH THE KEY TO THE CITY FOR HIS INVALUABLE PHILANTHROPIC CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH THE GLOBAL EMPOWERMENT MISSION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO ISSUE A KEY TO THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE TERMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Michael Capponi, the visionary founder of the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), has dedicated his life to humanitarian aid with profound passion and unwavering resolve, responding to over 370 disasters in 71 countries and all 50 U.S. states, bringing light to the darkest corners of the world through efficient, direct relief that restores hope and rebuilds shattered communities; and WHEREAS, in Ukraine, since the heartbreaking 2022 Russian invasion that has displaced millions and torn families apart, Mr. Capponi's GEM has delivered over 1,744 trucks of life-saving aid to 983 towns and villages, providing more than 200 truckloads monthly and serving over 3.2 million families with essential food kits in 2023 alone, a heroic effort that has positioned GEM as the leader among all international agencies in food security according to the United Nations Food Security Cluster dashboard, where GEM's distributions have been pivotal in averting famine and sustaining vulnerable populations amid relentless conflict; and WHEREAS, in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has left countless civilians—children, elders, and families—grappling with scarcity and suffering, GEM under Mr. Capponi's guidance ranks as the 4th largest food distributor as per the United Nations Food Security Cluster dashboard, conducting hundreds of distributions of nutritious food, tested clean water, and fresh produce despite perilous conditions, offering a lifeline of sustenance and solace to those enduring profound loss and isolation; and WHEREAS, Mr. Capponi's profound compassion has shone brightly in Haiti, a nation repeatedly ravaged by natural disasters, where he personally led GEM's response to the catastrophic 2010 earthquake that claimed over 200,000 lives and left millions homeless, establishing and managing a tent city for 3,000 displaced people for an entire year, providing not just shelter but a foundation for recovery; his efforts continued through the devastating 2016 Hurricane Matthew, a Category 5 storm that caused 546 fatalities and $2.8 billion in damage, and the 20217.2 magnitude earthquake that destroyed over 52,000 homes, delivering essential aid to the hardest-hit regions, embodying a heartfelt commitment to rebuilding lives and restoring dignity in one of the world's most vulnerable places; and WHEREAS, in Texas, where relentless flooding has tested the spirit of resilient communities, Mr. Capponi's GEM mobilized swiftly during the July 2025 Kerr County flash floods, GEM deployed trucks laden with pallets of disaster relief supplies, assisting families with financial support, cash cards, and essentials; and WHEREAS, Mr. Capponi's humanitarian reach extends deeply into South America, where @Bcl@9414e502 Page 1 of 3 688