Florida Senate - 2012                            (NP)    SR 2146
       
       
       
       By Senator Latvala
       
       
       
       
       16-04522-12                                           20122146__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing the Clearwater Marine
    3         Aquarium for its extraordinary efforts in
    4         rehabilitating the dolphin “Winter” and for bringing
    5         hope and encouragement to those around the world who
    6         have prosthetics.
    7  
    8         WHEREAS, when a young dolphin was brought to the Clearwater
    9  Marine Aquarium with injuries sustained when she was caught in a
   10  crab trap, a chain of events was set into motion which brought
   11  worldwide attention to issues surrounding wildlife conservation
   12  and the development of prosthetic devices that allow individuals
   13  to resume active, whole lives, and
   14         WHEREAS, the dolphin, named “Winter” by those at the
   15  Clearwater Marine Aquarium who worked to save her life, won the
   16  hearts of all who heard of her plight, which was made even more
   17  desperate when her injuries forced the amputation of her tail,
   18  and
   19         WHEREAS, the efforts of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to
   20  rehabilitate Winter, which are the subject of the acclaimed 2011
   21  Warner Brothers film “Dolphin Tale,” stimulated the economy of
   22  the City of Clearwater, the Tampa Bay area, and this state, and
   23         WHEREAS, Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., developed
   24  Winter’s plastic tail and Winter’s Gel, which is now used by
   25  thousands of people who have prosthetics, and
   26         WHEREAS, Winter and her story have inspired countless
   27  individuals who have prosthetics, especially children and
   28  veterans returning from the wars in the Middle East, and
   29         WHEREAS, the film “Dolphin Tale” provided a world stage for
   30  the mission of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is
   31  education, rescue, and rehabilitation, and
   32         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors and staff of the Clearwater
   33  Marine Aquarium, and all involved in Winter’s rehabilitation,
   34  are deserving of public recognition for their heroic efforts,
   35  NOW, THEREFORE,
   36  
   37  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   38  
   39         That the Florida Senate recognizes the Clearwater Marine
   40  Aquarium for its extraordinary efforts in rehabilitating the
   41  dolphin “Winter” and for bringing hope and encouragement to
   42  those around the world who have prosthetics.
   43         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
   44  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to the Clearwater
   45  Marine Aquarium as a tangible token of the sentiments of the
   46  Florida Senate.