Florida Senate - 2013                            (NP)    SR 1782
       
       
       
       By Senator Hays
       
       
       
       
       11-02201A-13                                          20131782__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing April 4, 2013, as “Guardian
    3         ad Litem Day” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, the guardian ad litem program represents the best
    6  interests of abused and neglected children involved in
    7  dependency court proceedings, and
    8         WHEREAS, more than 9,000 dedicated and talented Floridians
    9  serve as volunteers for the guardian ad litem program, and
   10         WHEREAS, studies show that children who have a volunteer
   11  guardian ad litem receive more services and are half as likely
   12  to return to foster care, and
   13         WHEREAS, not only do guardian ad litem volunteers advocate
   14  for a child’s best interest, but they also serve as educational
   15  advocates and mentors, and
   16         WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, the guardian ad litem
   17  program has enhanced Florida communities through public and
   18  private partnerships that allowed the program to expand, and
   19         WHEREAS, the guardian ad litem program received the 2012
   20  Prudential-Davis Productivity Eagle Award which recognized it as
   21  a leader among public agencies in productivity and for saving
   22  money for Florida taxpayers and businesses, and
   23         WHEREAS, the guardian ad litem program strives to achieve
   24  permanency for children in the dependency system, and was
   25  recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
   26  with its Angels in Adoption Award for excellence in finding
   27  “forever families” for children in the foster care system, and
   28         WHEREAS, Florida Trend called the program, “. . .an elegant
   29  combination of effectiveness and accountability, of individuals
   30  joining hands with government to give a voice to innocent kids
   31  who are suffering through no fault of their own,” NOW,
   32  THEREFORE,
   33  
   34  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   35  
   36         That we extend thanks and best wishes to all who serve as
   37  guardians ad litem and recognize April 4, 2013, as “Guardian ad
   38  Litem Day” in Florida.