HR 9001 2003
1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing April 23, 2003, as “Northwest
3	Florida Legislative Day” in Tallahassee.
4
5	WHEREAS, Northwest Florida, known for its southern charm
6	and small-town atmosphere, encompasses 16 counties across the
7	Florida Panhandle comprised of beautiful coastline, lush
8	forested land, winding rivers, and more than 100 freshwater
9	springs, including world-renown Wakulla Springs, and
10	WHEREAS, Northwest Florida is steeped in history,
11	nationally known for its Indian Temple Mound Museum in Fort
12	Walton Beach, which commemorates the culture of Native Americans
13	living in the area approximately 800 years ago; Santa Rosa
14	Island is the site of the first colonial settlement in North
15	America and the location of Fort Pickens, where Confederate
16	forces fired the first shots of the Civil War on Union soldiers
17	garrisoned there; Port St. Joe hosted Florida’s First
18	Constitutional Convention; and Apalachicola is the home of Dr.
19	John Gorrie, inventor of the precursor to refrigeration and air-
20	conditioning, and
21	WHEREAS, Northwest Florida is home to eleven universities
22	and community colleges and eight military bases, and
23	WHEREAS, rich in cultural diversity, Northwest Florida
24	takes pride in Sopchoppy as the “Earthworm Capital of Florida,”
25	Tallahassee as the State Capital, Pensacola as the seventh most
26	polite city in the nation, and the entire area for its avid
27	promotion of artistic and sports events, festivals and
28	extravaganzas of all kinds, and ethnic-heritage celebrations,
29	and
30	WHEREAS, with its blend of exciting cosmopolitan areas,
31	laid-back rural and coastal spaces, cutting-edge centers of
32	education and technology, Northwest Florida offers much for
33	every interest and taste, and, averaging 339 sunny days a year,
34	the beaches of Northwest Florida alone attract more than 20
35	million tourists annually, NOW, THEREFORE,
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37	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
38	Florida:
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40	That the House of Representatives pause in its
41	deliberations to recognize April 23, 2003, as “Northwest Florida
42	Legislative Day” in Tallahassee.
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