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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;
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Whereas President James Monroe proclaimed the AdamsOnis 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;
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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
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Whereas Florida is proud of its heritage and looks forward

to its future: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved,

2 SECTION 1. SALUTE BY THE SENATE.

3 The United States Senate salutes the State of Flor4 ida on the sesquicentennial anniversary of Florida becom5 ing a State Friday, March 3, 1995.

6 SEC. 2. COMMEMORATION BY CONGRESS.

7 The Senate calls on the joint Congressional leader8 ship of Congress to agree on an appropriate time and

9 manner to honor the State of Florida, in recognition of

10 the achievements of all the men and women who have

11 worked hard to develop Florida into a great State, from

12 pioneer days to modern times.

13 SEC. 3. COMMEMORATION BY THE PRESIDENT.

14 The Senate calls on the President to issue a Presi15 dential message calling on the people of the United States

16 and all Federal, State, and local governments to com17 memorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of Florida be18 coming a State with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

19 SEC. 4. COPIES OF RESOLUTION.

20 The Secretary of the Senate shall send this resolution

21 to the Florida Congressional delegation, the Governor of

22 Florida, the National Archives, and the Florida Archives.

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