HR 9099

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution honoring Governor LeRoy Collins, the 33rd
3	Governor of the State of Florida, on the occasion of the
4	100th anniversary of his birth.
5
6	WHEREAS, Governor Thomas LeRoy Collins, a native son of
7	Florida, was born in the capital city of Tallahassee, Florida,
8	on March 10, 1909, and, to this day, Governor Collins continues
9	to be regarded as one of the foremost statesmen and beloved
10	governors in Florida history, and
11	WHEREAS, 2009 marks the centennial anniversary of the birth
12	of LeRoy Collins, considered by many to be "the greatest
13	Floridian," and
14	WHEREAS, from 1955 to 1961, LeRoy Collins served as the
15	33rd Governor of Florida, leading the state with courage and
16	foresight through the tumultuous civil rights era, and
17	WHEREAS, while guiding the state through a period of
18	unparalleled historic social and cultural change, Governor
19	Collins also implemented a comprehensive vision for the growth
20	and development of Florida and a foundation for strong,
21	principled state government that transformed Florida's role in
22	the nation to that of a modern leadership state, a role that
23	continues into the 21st Century, and
24	WHEREAS, LeRoy Collins has continued to influence
25	Floridians for decades and continues to be recognized and
26	honored for his lifetime of achievements by historians,
27	citizens, and elected officials, and
28	WHEREAS, most notable among the many lasting tributes to
29	Governor Collins is his designation as "Floridian of the
30	Century" in 1991 by the Florida Legislature, where he served in
31	both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate
32	before becoming Governor, and
33	WHEREAS, the naming of the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public
34	Library and the Steele-Collins Charter School in his honor were
35	recognitions of his visionary leadership in the field of
36	education, as are a multitude of community college and
37	university programs, projects, and initiatives that have been
38	established in his name over the decades since his term as
39	Governor, and
40	WHEREAS, in recognition of Governor Collins' efforts toward
41	the advancement of participatory democracy, "Florida Citizenship
42	and Leadership Day," also known as "Democracy and Governor
43	Collins Day," was designated and observed in the year 2000 on
44	Governor Collins' birthday, and
45	WHEREAS, for decades, Governor Collins has been heralded as
46	the originator of Florida's renowned "government in the
47	sunshine" or "open government" concept, a concept of state
48	government for which Florida remains the standard throughout the
49	nation, and
50	WHEREAS, as a staunch advocate and faultless practitioner
51	of principled and ethical governance, Governor Collins stood
52	unwaveringly on principle and decency and avoided taking the
53	road of political expediency always, and, as a consequence, his
54	reputation stands unblemished to this day and remains a standard
55	for elected officials everywhere, and
56	WHEREAS, among the other causes and issues Governor Collins
57	championed and advanced were an unwavering devotion to civil
58	rights, human rights, and the rule of law; the advancement of
59	race relations and equal opportunity and equal protection for
60	all; increased funding for education; the revision and
61	modernization of the Florida Constitution; the founding of the
62	community college system; the creation and development of
63	Florida's transportation and turnpike systems; the development
64	of Florida's state parks system; the conscientious stewardship
65	of the state's environment and natural resources; the
66	diversification of the state's economy; apportionment and
67	redistricting of the state in the interest of fairness to
68	voters; the confronting of death penalty issues; the banning of
69	cigarette advertisements on television; the provision of
70	compassionate care to persons with disabilities; the advocacy of
71	a merit system for public employees; the creation of the
72	University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University; the
73	initiation of the annual football game between the University of
74	Florida and Florida State University; prominent display and
75	increased use of the state flag; and many other causes,
76	projects, and issues that formed a comprehensive vision for the
77	improvement of the lives of all Floridians and the government of
78	the state, and
79	WHEREAS, Governor LeRoy Collins is widely regarded as one
80	of the finest and most effective public servants in Florida
81	history and a transformational and visionary governor, and
82	WHEREAS, Governor Collins' many state and national
83	contributions, along with his leadership abilities, sense of
84	personal courage, and strict adherence to ethical dealings,
85	serve as an ongoing source of inspiration not only to younger
86	citizens but to community leaders and elected officials who are
87	engaged in service to, and strive for the greater good of, their
88	communities and the state, and
89	WHEREAS, the spirit with which Governor Collins carried out
90	the duties of his office and the legacy he left to the state
91	serve to personally remind us all of what the true nature of a
92	public servant should be and that each one of us can have a
93	positive effect on the lives of others, and
94	WHEREAS, Governor LeRoy Collins' faith and family sustained
95	him during a lifetime of great achievement, and
96	WHEREAS, Mrs. Mary Call Darby Collins, Governor Collins'
97	beloved wife, the great granddaughter of territorial Governor
98	Richard Keith Call, and the four Collins children, daughters
99	Jane, Mary Call, and Darby, and son, LeRoy, Jr., are also to be
100	recognized for their many contributions and public service, both
101	individually and as a family, to the State of Florida, NOW,
102	THEREFORE,
103
104	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
105	Florida:
106
107	That the House of Representatives of the State of Florida
108	recognizes and honors Governor LeRoy Collins, 33rd Governor of
109	the State of Florida and "Floridian of the Century," during
110	this, the centennial anniversary of his birth, and expresses its
111	gratitude for Governor Collins' legacy of excellence that has
112	resulted in the betterment of the lives of Floridians and will
113	continue to do so for generations to come.
114	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
115	presented to the family of Governor LeRoy Collins as a tangible
116	token of appreciation and gratitude and in celebration of the
117	life of Governor Collins on this, the 100th anniversary of his
118	birth.

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