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Senate Resolution

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A resolution recognizing November 3-7, 2008, as "Florida

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Manufacturers Week" in the State of Florida.

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     WHEREAS, Florida manufacturers currently number 16,911

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companies, employing 390,200 residents, and

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     WHEREAS, manufacturing in Florida contributes $35.9 billion

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to the state's gross domestic product and represents 93 percent

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of all exports originating in Florida, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida manufacturers are doing business in 222

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countries, with Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia

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being the top five countries importing Florida products, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida manufacturers provide well-paying jobs that

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require many advanced skills, generating an average annual wage

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of $46,540, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida manufacturers are engaged in a wide variety

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of manufacturing businesses, including computer and electronic

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products; transportation equipment; fabricated metal products;

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food; mineral products; machinery; printing; wood and paper

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products; chemicals; furniture; plastics and rubber products;

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beverages; textile products; apparel; energy products; cement and

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concrete; medical equipment; architectural products; aerospace

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products; semiconductor and electronic components; ships and

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boats; household products; and communication equipment, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida ranks third in the nation in communication

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equipment and defense electronic manufacturing employment; fourth

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in photonics and high-tech manufacturing employment; and in the

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top 10 in electronics components, semiconductors, and

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electromedical equipment manufacturing employment, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida is currently faced with a shortage of

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skilled and trained workers for the manufacturing sector, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida manufacturers are actively engaged in the

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education and training of their future workforce through

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partnerships with state agencies and educational institutions,

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and

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     WHEREAS, Florida manufacturers are competing with other

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states and countries for market share, and their success in this

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competition is vital because the state's manufacturing sector

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provides a major stabilizing influence on Florida's economy, NOW,

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THEREFORE,

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

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     That the Florida Senate recognizes the great importance of

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the manufacturing sector to Florida's economy and recognizes

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November 3-7, 2008, as "Florida Manufacturers Week."