Florida Senate - 2012 (NP) SR 2066 By Senator Bullard 39-02023-12 20122066__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing and commending David A. 3 White, Ed.D., for his career achievements and 4 commitment to community in his hometown of Coconut 5 Grove. 6 7 WHEREAS, David A. White was born in Coconut Grove on June 8 27, 1931, attended George W. Carver High School, and, in 1949, 9 after his high school graduation, enlisted and served 2 years in 10 the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and 11 WHEREAS, after David A. White was discharged from the 12 United States Air Force, he attended what was then known as 13 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College, but, due to 14 financial concerns, left college to enroll in a 1-year barbering 15 program, and 16 WHEREAS, using his personal savings from barbering and 17 proceeds from the G.I. Bill, David A. White was able to return 18 to college, graduating from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical 19 University with a bachelor of science degree in 1955 and a 20 master’s degree in education in 1959, and 21 WHEREAS, in 1978, David A. White graduated from what was 22 then known as Nova University with a doctor of education degree 23 in educational leadership, and 24 WHEREAS, before his retirement in 1990, David A. White was 25 employed with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 35 years 26 as a classroom teacher, counselor, and administrator, and 27 WHEREAS, not only does David A. White have a passion for 28 education, but he has a heart for community involvement, serving 29 as president emeritus of the Village West Homeowners-Tenants 30 Association in Coconut Grove and, for 20 years, as the 31 coordinator and treasurer of the Coconut Grove Crisis Food 32 Pantry, an organization that distributes food to needy area 33 residents, and 34 WHEREAS, David A. White also served as the past commander 35 and finance officer of American Legion, Post 182, where he is a 36 life member, and is an active member of the Sigma Alpha Chapter 37 of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and 38 WHEREAS, David A. White is committed to his church and the 39 promotion of unity among churches, is an active member and past 40 officer of Christ Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove, is a former 41 chairman and current member of the Ecumenical Council of Coconut 42 Grove-Coral Gables, and is a former officer and current member 43 of the Theodore R. Gibson Chapter of the Union of Black 44 Episcopalians, and 45 WHEREAS, David A. White has been married to his beloved 46 wife, Tessie, for 57 years, and, together, they raised four sons 47 and one daughter and now enjoy their 12 grandchildren and two 48 great-grandsons, and 49 WHEREAS, even though David A. White’s physical mobility is 50 currently limited, he has the mind and heart to continue his 51 involvement in community and church activities and is a servant 52 and leader in Coconut Grove, held in the highest regard and 53 admired as a cherished member of the community, NOW, THEREFORE, 54 55 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 56 57 That the Florida Senate recognizes and commends David A. 58 White, Ed.D., for his outstanding career accomplishments in 59 education in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and his 60 leadership and commitment to his friends and neighbors in 61 Coconut Grove. 62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with 63 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to David A. White, 64 Ed.D., as an expression of the esteem of the Florida Senate.