HR 9205

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing Seminole County Sheriff Donald
3	Eslinger, Linda Gregory, and Alice Petree.
4
5	WHEREAS, on July 8, 1998, a 13-hour standoff in Seminole
6	County involving a man with a history of severe mental illness
7	resulted in the deaths of Deputy Sheriff Gene Gregory and Alan
8	Singletary, and
9	WHEREAS, following a vow to not let those deaths be in
10	vain, Seminole County Sheriff Donald Eslinger created a Mental
11	Health Task Force to advocate for reforms in mental health and
12	substance abuse services and laws, and
13	WHEREAS, with Alice Petree, the sister of Alan Singletary,
14	and Linda Gregory, the widow of Deputy Sheriff Gene Gregory,
15	Sheriff Eslinger worked, through the task force and with other
16	community groups and stakeholders, to increase awareness of the
17	need for treatment of mental illnesses, and
18	WHEREAS, the efforts of these advocates and the community
19	network they helped to create resulted in beneficial programs
20	for those with mental illnesses such as jail diversion, forensic
21	treatment programs, mental health screening at a county
22	correctional facility, funding for a detox receiving facility, a
23	voluntary identification program, and law enforcement crisis
24	intervention teams, and
25	WHEREAS, Sheriff Eslinger, Linda Gregory, and Alice Petree
26	devoted 4 years to raising public awareness, educating
27	lawmakers, writing and speaking to the media, and tirelessly
28	supporting Baker Act reform, and
29	WHEREAS, the Legislature overwhelmingly passed Baker Act
30	reform in the final hours of the 2004 Regular Session, and
31	WHEREAS, the national nonprofit organization The Treatment
32	Advocacy Center awarded Sheriff Eslinger, Linda Gregory, and
33	Alice Petree the 2005 Torrey Advocacy Commendation for
34	outstanding advocacy for treatment of the most severe mental
35	illnesses in recognition of their incredible dedication,
36	courage, and tenacity in spearheading reform efforts on behalf
37	of all of Florida's citizens, NOW, THEREFORE,
38
39	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
40	Florida:
41
42	That Sheriff Donald Eslinger, Linda Gregory, and Alice
43	Petree are recognized for their successful advocacy in honor of
44	Deputy Sheriff Gene Gregory and Alan Singletary and all people
45	with severe mental illnesses who will benefit from their
46	efforts.
47	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
48	presented to Sheriff Donald Eslinger, Linda Gregory, and Alice
49	Petree as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.