[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 84 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







104th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 84

Saluting Florida on the 150th anniversary of Florida statehood, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              March 2 (legislative day, February 22), 1995

     Mr. Mack (for himself and Mr. Graham) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Saluting Florida on the 150th anniversary of Florida statehood, and for 
                            other purposes.

Whereas Florida became the first State explored by Europeans when Ponce de Leon 
        led a Spanish expedition that made landfall along the east coast in the 
        year 1513;
Whereas Pedro Menendez de Aviles, captain-general of an invading fleet, ousted 
        the French settlement, Fort Caroline, at the mouth of the St. Johns 
        River, proclaimed Spanish sovereignty over Florida, and on September 8, 
        1565, established St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States;
Whereas Spain, France, and England played a significant role in the development 
        and exploration of early Florida;
Whereas President James Monroe proclaimed the Adams-Onis Treaty in which Spain 
        ceded Florida to the United States on February 22, 1821, and appointed 
        General Andrew Jackson as the first provisional governor of Florida;
Whereas on March 30, 1822, the United States Congress created a territorial 
        government for Florida, following the pattern set in the Northwest 
        Ordinance of 1787 by providing for public education and orderly 
        political steps toward greater self-government and eventual statehood as 
        population increased;
Whereas 56 delegates representing the 20 counties of Florida assembled in 1838 
        in the Panhandle town of St. Joseph to frame the first constitution of 
        the territory in preparation for Florida statehood, who were mainly 
        planters and lawyers, were from 13 of the 26 States then in the United 
        States and 4 foreign countries, included only 3 natives from Florida, 
        included 3 delegates who would later become United States Senators, 
        included 2 governors, and included 5 members of the Florida Supreme 
        Court;
Whereas a bill to admit Florida as a State passed the House of Representatives 
        on February 13, 1845, and the Senate on March 1, 1845;
Whereas President John Tyler signed a bill making Florida a State on March 3, 
        1845, making Florida the 27th State to be admitted into the United 
        States;
Whereas Friday, March 3, 1995, marks the 150th anniversary of Florida becoming a 
        State;
Whereas the admission of Florida to the United States has proved to be of 
        immense benefit both to the United States and to the State of Florida;
Whereas 96 citizens of Florida have served the United States and Florida in the 
        House of Representatives;
Whereas 30 citizens of Florida have served the United States and Florida in the 
        United States Senate;
Whereas numerous citizens of Florida have served in the executive, judicial, and 
        legislative branches of the Federal Government;
Whereas citizens of Florida have fought and died in service to the United 
        States, and 22 citizens of Florida have won the United States highest 
        award for bravery, the Congressional Medal of Honor, protecting freedom 
        in the United States;
Whereas Florida is the fourth largest State and is rich in natural resources and 
        talented people;
Whereas Florida, home of the Everglades National Park, is blessed with great 
        natural beauty, clean waters, pure air, and extraordinary scenery;
Whereas Florida is a world leader in agriculture, commercial fishing, education, 
        financial services, horse breeding, high technology, manufacturing, 
        phosphate production, and tourism;
Whereas Cape Canaveral, location of the first United States satellite launch and 
        the first manned spaceship flight to the Moon, continues to play a vital 
        and leading role in the exploration and discovery of outer space by the 
        United States;
Whereas a special postage stamp saluting the Sesquicentennial of Florida will be 
        circulated throughout the United States during 1995; and
Whereas Florida is proud of its heritage and looks forward to its future: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. SALUTE BY THE SENATE.

    The United States Senate salutes the State of Florida on the 
sesquicentennial anniversary of Florida becoming a State Friday, March 
3, 1995.

SEC. 2. COMMEMORATION BY CONGRESS.

     The Senate calls on the joint Congressional leadership of Congress 
to agree on an appropriate time and manner to honor the State of 
Florida, in recognition of the achievements of all the men and women 
who have worked hard to develop Florida into a great State, from 
pioneer days to modern times.

SEC. 3. COMMEMORATION BY THE PRESIDENT.

    The Senate calls on the President to issue a Presidential message 
calling on the people of the United States and all Federal, State, and 
local governments to commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of 
Florida becoming a State with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

SEC. 4. COPIES OF RESOLUTION.

    The Secretary of the Senate shall send this resolution to the 
Florida Congressional delegation, the Governor of Florida, the National 
Archives, and the Florida Archives.
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