| 1 | House Resolution |
| 2 | A resolution commending Kent Buescher for his unwavering |
| 3 | dedication to revitalizing Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, |
| 4 | Florida's oldest theme park. |
| 5 |
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| 6 | WHEREAS, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park was Florida's first |
| 7 | theme park and helped establish the state as a modern-day |
| 8 | vacation destination, with such attractions as water ski shows, |
| 9 | botanical gardens, and Southern Belles in hoop skirts, and |
| 10 | WHEREAS, Cypress Gardens was enjoyed by millions of |
| 11 | visitors for 68 years until its doors closed on April 13, 2003, |
| 12 | resulting in the loss of more than 500 jobs, and |
| 13 | WHEREAS, at a time when the future of Cypress Gardens was |
| 14 | uncertain, entrepreneur Kent Buescher spent millions of dollars |
| 15 | to purchase the theme park with the intention of returning it to |
| 16 | its former glory as well as providing additional attractions |
| 17 | that would appeal to today's youth and families, and |
| 18 | WHEREAS, the reopening of Cypress Gardens was delayed when |
| 19 | Hurricane Charley damaged buildings, vendor booths, and foot |
| 20 | bridges and destroyed flowers and trees at the park, and |
| 21 | WHEREAS, this setback did not deter Kent Buescher from his |
| 22 | dream: a Cypress Gardens that includes four roller coasters, two |
| 23 | water rides, seven thrill rides, twelve family rides, and eleven |
| 24 | children's rides, and |
| 25 | WHEREAS, the tireless work and devotion of Kent Buescher |
| 26 | led to the reopening of the newly renovated Cypress Gardens |
| 27 | Adventure Park, offering family entertainment unlike that of any |
| 28 | other theme park as well as providing jobs and economic |
| 29 | opportunities for surrounding communities, NOW, THEREFORE, |
| 30 |
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| 31 | Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of |
| 32 | Florida: |
| 33 |
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| 34 | That Kent Buescher is commended for his astounding efforts |
| 35 | to revitalize Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, a national |
| 36 | landmark. |
| 37 | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be |
| 38 | presented to Kent Buescher as a tangible token of the sentiments |
| 39 | expressed herein. |