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Senate Resolution

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A resolution expressing affection for and gratitude to all

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fathers.

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     WHEREAS, in 1909 Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington,

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first had the idea of a "father's day" while listening to a

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Mother's Day sermon, and

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     WHEREAS, Sonora Dodd realized the strength, courage, and

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selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a

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single parent, and thus chose to hold the first Father's Day

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celebration in Spokane, Washington, on the 19th of June, 1910,

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and

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     WHEREAS, in early times, wearing flowers was a traditional

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way of celebrating Father's Day, and

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     WHEREAS, in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recognized

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Father's Day as a national event to "establish more intimate

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relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon

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fathers the full measure of their obligations," and

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     WHEREAS, in 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was

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formed in New York City, resulting in a Joint Resolution of

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Congress in 1956 recognizing Father's Day, and President Richard

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Nixon signed the law that finally made Father's Day a permanent

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holiday in 1972, and

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     WHEREAS, Sunday, June 15, 2008, has been designated as

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Father's Day in the United States, and

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     WHEREAS, the American tradition of a productive society and

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a secure home has depended in great part on the hard work and

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sacrifice of fathers who tirelessly seek for their children a

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better life and greater opportunity than they themselves have

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known, and

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     WHEREAS, fulfilling the demanding roles of fatherhood, as

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provider, teacher, role model, comforter, and protector, is an

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act of true heroism in today's world, and

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     WHEREAS, each new generation looks to its fathers for

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courage, strength, and understanding, and

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     WHEREAS, the enduring affection between fathers and their

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families is recognized and appreciated as one of the most

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positive elements upon which our future as a nation depends, and

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     WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate that the members and

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staff of the Florida Senate recognize the immeasurable debt of

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gratitude owed to fathers for their strength, guidance,

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understanding, and love, NOW, THEREFORE,

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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That the members of the Senate do hereby express to their

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own fathers and to all fathers, on behalf of the people of the

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State of Florida, personal affection and heartfelt gratitude.

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     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be spread upon

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the Journal of the Senate as a tangible token of the love and

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respect that the members hold for all fathers.