House Bill 9145

    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HR 9145

        By Representative Kelly






  1                         House Resolution

  2         A resolution recognizing Pigeon Fanciers in the

  3         State of Florida.

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  5         WHEREAS, there are an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 pigeon

  6  owners in Florida who keep birds as pets, compete in the show

  7  arena, or fly competition birds in races or sporting breed

  8  events, an interest shared by enthusiasts of all ages and

  9  backgrounds, and

10         WHEREAS, the story of the domesticated pigeon spans

11  about 4,000 years of history, pigeons having been used as

12  messengers, as a food source, and in religious ceremonies, in

13  addition to their having been kept as a hobby, and

14         WHEREAS, the first documented use of pigeons in war was

15  that of Julius Caesar's employment of homing pigeons to

16  transmit messages during his conquest of Gaul, a practice

17  later adopted by the Saracens during the Crusades and used in

18  the Franco-Prussian War in the delivery of thousands of

19  communications into Paris, and there are many accounts of

20  these birds, some later decorated, having saved untold numbers

21  of lives flying messages behind enemy lines during World Wars

22  I and II, and

23         WHEREAS, an example of the use of carrier pigeons in

24  commerce is the world-renowned Reuters News Agency, which had

25  its beginnings as a pigeon postal service in Europe during the

26  late 1800's, and

27         WHEREAS, there are currently over 300 breeds of pigeons

28  worldwide, many having been developed to meet the strict

29  criteria of the show arena, many for specific sporting or

30  performance feats, and many, referred to as "utility" breeds,

31  for food production, but the most popular breed is the racing

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






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HR 9145

    90-418-00






  1  homer or homing pigeon, first developed in Belgium, and now

  2  raced in competitions in almost every nation, and

  3         WHEREAS, there are presently more than 50 pigeon clubs

  4  in Florida, the most numerous of which are the racing pigeon

  5  clubs, followed by show breed clubs and a few clubs

  6  specializing in performance roller competitions, and

  7         WHEREAS, clearly a pastime enjoyed by Floridians of all

  8  ages and walks of life, pigeon competitions provide a

  9  wholesome interest and entertainment for all segments of our

10  society, NOW, THEREFORE,

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12  Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of

13  Florida:

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15         That the House of Representatives commends the Pigeon

16  Fanciers of Florida for their interest in a bird that holds a

17  unique place in history and for their participation in a hobby

18  that dates back for centuries.

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