| 1 | House Resolution |
| 2 | A resolution recognizing March 11, 2004, as "St. Johns |
| 3 | County Day" in Tallahassee. |
| 4 |
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| 5 | WHEREAS, on September 8, 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles |
| 6 | founded St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European |
| 7 | settlement in the United States, and |
| 8 | WHEREAS, St. Johns County is the site for Fort Mose, |
| 9 | established by Spaniards and former African slaves in 1738, the |
| 10 | first free black fort and settlement in North America, and |
| 11 | WHEREAS, on July 21, 1821, St. Johns County, named for the |
| 12 | St. Johns River, became one of Florida's first two counties by |
| 13 | ordinance proclaimed by Major General Andrew Jackson, and |
| 14 | WHEREAS, St. Johns County encompasses 609 square miles, |
| 15 | from the many miles of beautiful beaches to the scenic Bartram |
| 16 | Trail Highway that runs along the St. Johns River, and |
| 17 | WHEREAS, St. Johns County is a popular tourist destination, |
| 18 | hosting more than 2 million visitors each year to the historic |
| 19 | City of St. Augustine, to St. Augustine Beach, and to other |
| 20 | communities throughout the county, and |
| 21 | WHEREAS, St. Johns County is one of the nation's most |
| 22 | recognized golf destinations and is home to the World Golf Hall |
| 23 | of Fame; THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP, which is an internationally |
| 24 | recognized golf event; and the national headquarters for the PGA |
| 25 | Tour, and |
| 26 | WHEREAS, St. Johns County is also home to the Association |
| 27 | of Tennis Players Tour, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, and |
| 28 | WHEREAS, agriculture is a critical component of the economy |
| 29 | of St. Johns County, with its 149 farms on 49,631 agricultural |
| 30 | acres comprising more than 12.7 percent of all the lands in the |
| 31 | county and producing more than $46 million in revenue annually, |
| 32 | and |
| 33 | WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes St. Johns County for |
| 34 | its rich history and cultural diversity, NOW, THEREFORE, |
| 35 |
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| 36 | Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of |
| 37 | Florida: |
| 38 |
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| 39 | That March 11, 2004, be recognized as "St. Johns County |
| 40 | Day" in Tallahassee. |