HR 9181

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution honoring Turn Around St. Petersburg-Wrice
3	Process Drugfighters.
4
5	WHEREAS, illegal drugs and associated crime can destroy
6	families and neighborhoods of all economic and social strata,
7	and
8	WHEREAS, Turn Around St. Petersburg-Wrice Process (TASP-WP)
9	and its 34th Street Federation have brought together from across
10	the city all races, as well as old and young, rich and poor, and
11	represent cooperative efforts by St. Petersburg's neighborhoods
12	to reclaim their area from drug dealers and thereby transform
13	their community, and
14	WHEREAS, the Wrice Marches of Turn Around St. Petersburg-
15	Wrice Process, begun in 1995 and renewed in 2003, represent a
16	true partnership among residents, neighborhoods, police, and the
17	city, and the ongoing marches and vigils are becoming catalysts
18	for community and economic development, providing opportunities
19	for increased children and youth initiatives, more and better
20	housing, and local business development, and
21	WHEREAS, by wearing their signature yellow drugfighting
22	shirts, the TASP-WP participants are making every Friday "Up
23	with Hope, Down with Dope Day" and, in partnership with police
24	and in conjunction with Court Watch and the Pinellas County
25	State Attorney's Office, attend drug dealer court cases ensuring
26	that the neighborhoods' voices are heard, and
27	WHEREAS, St. Petersburg's mayor and city council members
28	have displayed strong leadership, participation, and support of
29	the TASP-WP, and in 1997 the city's Neighborhood Partnership
30	Office sponsored the Turn Around America National Drugfighters
31	Reunion and has worked to develop TASP-WP into a statewide and
32	even national model through its help in providing satellite and
33	onsite training for other neighborhoods and cities in Florida,
34	and
35	WHEREAS, the neighborhood drugfighters, through their
36	volunteer spirit and their "a people united will never be
37	defeated" attitude, have displayed extraordinary leadership,
38	tenacity, commitment, and courage and have become real-life
39	heroes, inspiring young and old alike, NOW, THEREFORE,
40
41	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
42	Florida:
43
44	That the House of Representatives takes great pride in
45	honoring the Turn Around St. Petersburg-Wrice Process
46	Drugfighters and expresses sincere appreciation for their
47	admirable, exemplary efforts.

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