HR 9149 2003
1	House Resolution
2	A resolution encouraging Florida's communities to adopt
3	Governor Jeb Bush's Communities for a Lifetime initiative
4	in order to retain our seniors and attract more retirees
5	to Florida.
6
7	WHEREAS, Florida residents aged 60 or older make up 23
8	percent, or 3.8 million, of the current population of the state,
9	comprising the highest percentage of elders living in any state
10	of the nation, and their numbers are expected to experience
11	unprecedented growth during the first part of this century, and
12	WHEREAS, the Governor's Destination Florida Commission, in
13	its report of February 14, 2003, cites the positive impact
14	seniors have on the state's economy, including $2.8 billion in
15	taxes they provide above their costs to state and local
16	governments and their assets in deposit, which are estimated at
17	$320 billion, and
18	WHEREAS, the Communities for a Lifetime initiative was
19	established in an effort to create a safer, more friendly
20	environment for the seniors of our state, and
21	WHEREAS, to date, some 55 cities and counties have adopted
22	the Communities for a Lifetime initiative in an effort to better
23	enable our elder residents to live in dignity, security, and
24	independence, and
25	WHEREAS, it is in the interest of all Floridians to work
26	together to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere to which the
27	senior members of our society are attracted and in which they
28	may live comfortably and independently in their homes and
29	communities, NOW, THEREFORE,
30
31	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
32	Florida:
33
34	That the House of Representatives applauds the Communities
35	for a Lifetime initiative and urges cities and counties
36	throughout the state to adopt its goals and methods in order to
37	provide the ideal climate in which Florida's resident seniors
38	may live and to which elders throughout the country are
39	attracted and welcomed.
40	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that cities and counties are
41	encouraged to contact the Department of Elder Affairs as an
42	excellent source of information and assistance in this matter.