Title: 510th Anniversary of Founding of State of Florida by Ancestors of Puerto Rico

Summary: Recognizes April 2, 2023, as 510th Anniversary of founding of State of Florida by ancestors of Puerto Rico.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, Puerto Rican ancestors brought horses, pigs, seeds, and other agricultural goods to Florida that helped develop the state about years before Pilgrims arrived in North America, and WHEREAS, before Florida's cession to the United States under the Adams-On s Treaty of 1819, Florida was linked to the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico by Spanish rule, and WHEREAS, ances tors of Spain and Puerto Rico served and fought in the American Revolutionary War under the military leadership of Spanish nobleman Don Bernardo de G lvez, and WHEREAS, in 1898, Puerto Rico became part of the United States under the Treaty of Paris follow ing the Spanish-American War, and WHEREAS, the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917, subsequently replaced by the Nationality Act of 1940, conferred and cemented United States citizenship for island-born Puerto Ricans and their children for generations to come, and WHEREAS, there are currently about 5.8 million Puerto Ricans residing in the United States, with approximately 1.2 million Puerto Ricans residing in Florida, and WHEREAS, Puerto Ricans are the second largest Hispanic group in the United States, and WHEREAS, the United States 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, a group of military men from Puerto Rico, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, and WHEREAS, there are several courageous Puerto Rican recipients of the United States Me dal of Honor and many other Puerto Ricans who have received awards for their loyal and brave service to and defense of the United States, and WHEREAS, Puerto Ricans continue to enrich the State of Florida through their commitment to friendship and communi ty, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida: That April 2, 2023, is recognized as the 510th anniversary of the founding of the State of Florida by ancestors of Puerto Rico.