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.