"Dear recipients,

 

We are the peaceful inhabitants of a city blessed with good fortune and grace. The world map would not be complete without a place bearing the name Thiès. We live within a framework of political and civic customs that meet the demands of freedom and dignity, tolerance and peace. We are the rightful heirs to this entire tradition.

 

We did not make immense efforts to acquire this heritage, for it was bequeathed to us by a courageous community, proud of its city, but now absent and sorely missed: the community of our ancestors. It was they who bore the noble task of building a city founded on resistance and defiance against all forms of domination and oppression. Our mission is simply to transmit these values to younger generations so that the spirit of Thiès may continue to live on through the centuries.

 

We established this ceremony to honor the men and women who have served our city with love and loyalty. The Medal of Dignity, created by our City Council, celebrates distinguished service to Thiès each year. We commend the dedication, commitment, and patriotism of those who have bravely distinguished themselves in the effort to build the railway city. It also allows us to celebrate the founding values of our city: justice and peace, dignity and freedom.

 

Our goal is to honor the brave men and women of our local pantheon, who must nourish the national pantheon. There is no nation without its land. The nation is nourished by the essence, the lifeblood, and the dreams of its land. Indeed, the Senegal of tomorrow is built first and foremost from and by its land. This is why the men and women who have distinguished themselves through their work and their generosity towards our people deserve the honors and recognition of our city.

 

Dear recipients,

You are the heroes of our city's influence and development. Behind each medal, we wanted to celebrate the sacrifice made in service to the community. You have built our city's reputation throughout the world through hard work and integrity. Most of the men and women we are honoring come from far away; they fought their entire lives to earn their rightful place in society. They climbed the ladder through hardship and isolation to reach the pinnacle of social success.

 

They did not acquire privileges for themselves and their families. They shared their wealth and heritage with society. For they did not forget their debt to Thiès and its people. They educated, cared for, clothed, housed, and fed the community. Ultimately, they gave hope and the strength to live.

 

You embody the highest values of our city: defiance, hospitality, and solidarity with the most vulnerable. You loved Thiès deeply and served it loyally. Indeed, to serve Thiès loyally, one must first love it sincerely.

Dear recipients,

In this world marked by skepticism and pessimism, we offer you as examples to our youth. The cities and nations with a future are those that provide role models for their children, guiding them toward hard work and virtue. You must continue to inspire current and future generations so that our city and our nation may continue to shine brightly in Africa and throughout the world.

 

Dear venerable servants of our city, enter here like blessed ones into the Book of History of the great men and women of Thiès, with your benevolent servitude."