Florida Senate - 2009 (NP) SR 2770 By Senator Jones 13-04115A-09 20092770__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution honoring the memory of Jade Thomas Moore 3 and posthumously commending him for his dedication to 4 the preservation of public education in Florida. 5 6 WHEREAS, Jade Thomas Moore embraced the Jeffersonian 7 principle that education is the great equalizer for all children 8 and devoted his life to opening the doors of opportunity and 9 learning for generations of Floridians, and 10 WHEREAS, Jade Moore, born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, was 11 raised in Pinellas County, where he attended Pinellas County 12 public schools, graduated from Clearwater High School in 1965, 13 and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the 14 University of South Florida, and 15 WHEREAS, Jade Moore began his career as a teacher, 16 influencing the lives of many Pinellas County students who still 17 remember him today, and 18 WHEREAS, Jade Moore became Executive Director of the 19 Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association in 1974, a position he 20 proudly held until his death, championing the needs of public 21 school students, teachers, and support staff, and 22 WHEREAS, Jade Moore was recognized for his detailed 23 understanding of education funding, and his professional, 24 nonpartisan manner earned the respect of school board members 25 and five different school superintendents, and 26 WHEREAS, Jade Moore's knowledge of the state’s finance and 27 tax system led to his appointment to Florida’s Taxation and 28 Budget Reform Commission in 1990 and again in 2007, both times 29 appointed by the Senate President, and 30 WHEREAS, Jade Moore, armed with a keen intellect and 31 irreverent sense of humor, traveled frequently and tirelessly to 32 the State Capitol to advocate for public schools, befriending 33 many in government with his colorful, outspoken style, and 34 WHEREAS, Jade Moore, a staunch Democrat, counted many 35 Republicans among his closest friends, with candidates from both 36 parties seeking his counsel and the endorsement of the 37 organization he led, and 38 WHEREAS, Jade Moore was a founding member and president of 39 the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club, advocating for a better public 40 understanding of public officials and government, and 41 WHEREAS, Jade Moore was also a faithful leader, elder, and 42 Sunday school teacher at Trinity Presbyterian Church in 43 Clearwater, and served as moderator of the Presbytery of Tampa 44 Bay, and 45 WHEREAS, Jade Moore will be remembered by many, including 46 numerous members of this legislative body, past and present, as 47 a unique individual who had a powerful intellect and the 48 personality to rival it, and whose friendship was cherished and 49 will be sorely missed, NOW, THEREFORE, 50 51 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 52 53 That the Senate does pause in its deliberations to honor 54 the memory of Jade Thomas Moore, gratefully acknowledging his 55 years of service, and posthumously commending him for his 56 dedication to the preservation of public education in Florida. 57 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution, with 58 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to his beloved wife 59 of 38 years, Sue, daughters Jennifer and Michelle, and 60 granddaughter Rowan Jade, as a tangible token of the sentiments 61 of the Florida Senate.