Florida Senate - 2015                                    SR 1672
       
       
        
       By Senator Joyner
       
       
       
       
       
       19-04738-15                                           20151672__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution honoring the service of Andy Ford and
    3         commending him for his dedication to the enrichment of
    4         public education in Florida.
    5  
    6         WHEREAS, a native of Princeton, New Jersey, Andy Ford
    7  earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Flagler College in St.
    8  Augustine, and
    9         WHEREAS, Andy Ford taught in a Catholic school in Trenton,
   10  New Jersey, and in urban public elementary schools in
   11  Jacksonville, and
   12         WHEREAS, Andy Ford has held many positions as an education
   13  leader, including president of the Duval Teachers United in
   14  Jacksonville, vice president of the American Federation of
   15  Teachers, and vice president and president of the Florida
   16  Education Association (FEA), where he currently holds the
   17  distinction of being the longest-serving president of the
   18  organization, and
   19         WHEREAS, Andy Ford was instrumental in merging the state’s
   20  teachers unions into a single, unified voice for excellence in
   21  public education in Florida, and
   22         WHEREAS, as FEA president, Andy Ford represents more than
   23  140,000 school employees in Florida’s public schools, community
   24  colleges, and universities, including teachers, education staff
   25  professionals, higher education faculty, graduate assistants,
   26  retired members, and other staff, and
   27         WHEREAS, Andy Ford has focused his efforts on high-quality
   28  public schools for every student, dignity and justice for all
   29  workers, equal opportunities regardless of race or gender, and
   30  furthering of education as a means for individuals to achieve
   31  the great American dream, and
   32         WHEREAS, Andy Ford continues to work tirelessly to build a
   33  stronger public education system in this state by working to
   34  move FEA’s education issues forward, and mobilizing members to
   35  strengthen the FEA’s voice on important education matters, and
   36         WHEREAS, in commemoration of his final session as FEA
   37  president, Andy Ford will be remembered as a thoughtful,
   38  purposeful, and stalwart advocate for Florida’s public school
   39  students and those who work in our public schools, NOW,
   40  THEREFORE,
   41  
   42  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   43  
   44         That we recognize the contributions and services of Andy
   45  Ford and commend him for his lifelong dedication to the
   46  preservation and advancement of public education in Florida.
   47         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
   48  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Andy Ford as a
   49  tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.