HB 7161

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to legal holidays and special observances;
3	creating s. 683.26, F.S.; designating February 6 as
4	"Ronald Reagan Day"; authorizing the Governor to issue
5	proclamations commemorating the occasion; creating s.
6	683.33, F.S.; designating January 6 as "Three Kings Day"
7	and authorizing local governments to issue proclamations
8	commemorating the occasion; providing an effective date.
9
10	WHEREAS, President Ronald Wilson Reagan, a man of humble
11	background, worked throughout his life serving freedom and
12	advancing the public good, having distinguished himself during
13	his professional life as an entertainer, union leader, and
14	corporate spokesman before being elected Governor of California
15	and then President of the United States of America, and
16	WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan served with honor and distinction
17	for two terms as the 40th President of the United States of
18	America, earning the distinction of being elected to his second
19	term of office by three-fifths of the electorate and by 49 of
20	the 50 states in the union, a record unsurpassed in the history
21	of American presidential elections, and
22	WHEREAS, in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as
23	President, he inherited a disillusioned nation that was shackled
24	by rampant inflation and high unemployment, and
25	WHEREAS, despite the difficult circumstances he inherited,
26	Ronald Reagan's approach to leading the nation was to exemplify
27	an unwavering faith in American ideals, most memorably by
28	invoking his long-held vision of America as "a shining city on a
29	hill," destined to realize an ever brighter future, and
30	WHEREAS, during his presidency, Ronald Reagan worked in a
31	bipartisan manner to enact his bold agenda of restoring
32	accountability and common sense to the Federal Government, which
33	led to an unprecedented economic expansion and opportunity for
34	millions of Americans, and
35	WHEREAS, President Reagan's commitment to an active social
36	policy agenda for the nation's children helped to lower crime
37	and reduce drug use in our neighborhoods, and
38	WHEREAS, President Reagan's commitment to our armed forces
39	contributed to the restoration of pride in America and its
40	values and those cherished by the free world and prepared the
41	nation's armed forces to meet the challenges of the 21st
42	century, and
43	WHEREAS, President Reagan's vision of "peace through
44	strength" led to the end of the Cold War and the ultimate demise
45	of the Soviet Union, thus guaranteeing basic human rights for
46	millions of people, and
47	WHEREAS, February 6, 2007, was the 96th anniversary of
48	Ronald Reagan's birth, and June 5, 2007, will mark the third
49	anniversary of his passing, which generated an outpouring of
50	love and respect unprecedented in a generation, NOW, THEREFORE,
51
52	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
53
54	Section 1.  Section 683.26, Florida Statutes, is created to
55	read:
56	683.26  Ronald Reagan Day.--
57	(1)  February 6 of each year is designated as "Ronald
58	Reagan Day."
59	(2)  The Governor may issue annually a proclamation
60	designating February 6 as "Ronald Reagan Day." Public officials,
61	schools, private organizations, and all citizens are encouraged
62	to honor the legacy of opportunity and optimism left by
63	America's 40th President by commemorating Ronald Reagan Day on
64	February 6 of each year.
65	Section 2.  Section 683.33, Florida Statutes, is created to
66	read:
67	683.33  Three Kings Day.--
68	(1)  January 6 of each year is designated as "Three Kings
69	Day."
70	(2)  Local governments may annually issue a proclamation
71	commemorating January 6 as "Three Kings Day" and calling upon
72	the residents of this state to observe the occasion.
73	Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.

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