Florida Senate - 2009 SR 420
By Senator Joyner
18-00402B-09 2009420__
1 Senate Resolution
2 A resolution recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the
3 creation of the Florida Commission on Human Relations
4 and commending the Commission on its many significant
5 accomplishments during the past 40 years.
6
7 WHEREAS, the passage of the federal Civil Rights Acts of
8 1964 and 1968 constituted a significant advancement in our
9 nation's history in the effort to end racial segregation,
10 discrimination, and unfair treatment in employment, housing, and
11 access to public places, and
12 WHEREAS, under the primary sponsorship of Representative
13 Joe Lang Kershaw of Dade County, the first African-American to
14 be elected to the Florida House of Representatives since 1891,
15 numerous Florida legislators sponsored legislation in 1969 to
16 bring similar anti-discrimination protections to Floridians by
17 creating the Florida Commission on Human Relations to enforce
18 anti-discrimination laws in this state, and
19 WHEREAS, in passing this legislation, the Florida
20 Legislature affirmed its intent to ensure that Florida would
21 strive to end discrimination so that all persons in this state,
22 regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin,
23 age, disability, or marital status, would be treated fairly and
24 equally in all aspects of life, and
25 WHEREAS, through subsequent legislation enacted by the
26 Florida Legislature in the form of the Florida Fair Housing Act
27 of 1983 and the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, the basis of
28 discrimination and the responsibilities and jurisdiction of the
29 Commission were expanded to ensure more widespread protection
30 against discrimination for all individuals in Florida, and
31 WHEREAS, the demographical landscape in Florida has
32 dramatically changed since 1970, and Florida is currently one of
33 the most diverse and multicultural states in the nation, and
34 WHEREAS, because of the ever-increasing population and
35 diversity in this state, it is more critical than ever that the
36 State of Florida continue its efforts to ensure that anti
37 discrimination laws remain in effect and that cultural
38 acceptance and appreciation of its diverse population continue
39 to remain a priority, and
40 WHEREAS, the Florida Commission on Human Relations actively
41 promotes freedom from discrimination under state and federal
42 laws to ensure fair treatment of and equal access for all
43 individuals in Florida in the areas of employment, housing, and
44 public accommodations, and continually strives to eliminate
45 discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national
46 origin, age, disability, and familial or marital status, and
47 WHEREAS, the Florida Commission on Human Relations promotes
48 and encourages mutual understanding and respect among economic,
49 social, racial, religious, and ethnic groups and their members,
50 and endeavors to eliminate discrimination against and antagonism
51 among these groups and their members, and
52 WHEREAS, the Commission's efforts in outreach, training,
53 investigation, and education have had a positive effect on
54 thousands of businesses, employees, organizations, local and
55 state governmental entities, communities, residents, and
56 tourists in this state, and
57 WHEREAS, 2009 marks the 40th Anniversary of the statutory
58 establishment of the Florida Commission on Human Relations by
59 the Florida Legislature, NOW, THEREFORE,
60
61 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
62
63 That the Senate recognizes the 40th Anniversary of the
64 establishment of the Florida Commission on Human Relations and
65 commends the Commission on its many significant accomplishments
66 in promoting fair treatment, equal access, and mutual respect
67 for and among all persons in Florida.
68 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
69 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to the Florida
70 Commission on Human Relations as a tangible token of the
71 sentiments of the Florida Senate.