Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker officially kicked off Citizenship Month last week at a press conference at City Hall, where she issued a proclamation declaring November 2014 as Citizenship Month, "Celebrating the Many Faces of Houston."

Honorary co-chair and UHD President Bill Flores joined Houston's First Lady Kathy Hubbard, who serves as honorary chair of the month-long celebration, at the event. Flores addressed the importance of civic responsibility and the city's vibrant, multi-cultural community.

Citizenship Month co-chair Noël Bezette-Flores, UHD executive director of the Center for Public Service and Family Strengths, addressed Houstonians gathered for the event. Also present was Raquel Espinoza, director of public affairs for Union Pacific Railroad, a major underwriter of the initiative along with UHD.

In its sixth year, Citizenship Month will feature more than 300 special events sponsored by numerous community groups, cultural organizations and educational institutions.

Scheduled events include performing arts programs, art exhibits, films, lectures, discussions, children's story time, arts and crafts, festivals and charity walk/runs. The events will take place at designated city libraries, museums, university campuses, neighborhood centers, green spaces and other community venues.

Citizenship Month Highlights:

• "An Evening of Jazz at UHD," Nov. 14 from 6 - 8 p.m. in the UHD Robertson Auditorium

• Aga Khan Foundation Partnership Walk to End Global Poverty, Nov. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Sam Houston Park Downtown, 1000 Bagby St.

• "Rails to Restaurants," Nov. 17 from 6 - 9 p.m., beginning on the UHD South Deck

• Raindrop Foundation Thanksgiving, Nov. 20 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the Raindrop Turkish House, 9301 W. Bellfort Ave.

• "Experiments with Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence," The Menil Collection throughout November, 1533 Sul Ross St.

For a master calendar of events, please visit www.citizenshipmonth.org.