HR 9017

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the
3	creation of the Florida Commission on Human Relations and
4	commending the Commission on its many significant
5	accomplishments during the past 40 years.
6
7	WHEREAS, the passage of the federal Civil Rights Acts of
8	1964 and 1968 constituted a significant advancement in our
9	nation's history in the effort to end racial segregation,
10	discrimination, and unfair treatment in employment, housing, and
11	access to public places, and
12	WHEREAS, under the primary sponsorship of Representative
13	Joe Lang Kershaw of Dade County, the first African-American to
14	be elected to the Florida House of Representatives since 1891,
15	numerous Florida legislators sponsored legislation in 1969 to
16	bring similar anti-discrimination protections to Floridians by
17	creating the Florida Commission on Human Relations to enforce
18	anti-discrimination laws in this state, and
19	WHEREAS, in passing this legislation, the Florida
20	Legislature affirmed its intent to ensure that Florida would
21	strive to end discrimination so that all persons in this state,
22	regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,
23	handicap, or marital status, would be treated fairly and equally
24	in all aspects of life, and
25	WHEREAS, through subsequent legislation enacted by the
26	Florida Legislature in the form of the Florida Fair Housing Act
27	of 1983 and the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, the bases of
28	discrimination and the responsibilities and jurisdiction of the
29	Commission were expanded to ensure more widespread protection
30	against discrimination for all individuals in Florida, and
31	WHEREAS, the demographical landscape in Florida has
32	dramatically changed since 1970, and Florida is currently one of
33	the most diverse and multicultural states in the nation, and
34	WHEREAS, because of the ever-increasing population and
35	diversity in this state, it is more critical than ever that the
36	State of Florida continue its efforts to ensure that anti-
37	discrimination laws remain in effect and that cultural
38	acceptance and appreciation of its diverse population continue
39	to remain a priority, and
40	WHEREAS, the Florida Commission on Human Relations actively
41	promotes freedom from discrimination under state and federal
42	laws to ensure fair treatment of and equal access for all
43	individuals in Florida in the areas of employment, housing, and
44	public accommodations, and continually strives to eliminate
45	discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national
46	origin, age, handicap, and familial or marital status, and
47	WHEREAS, the Florida Commission on Human Relations promotes
48	and encourages mutual understanding and respect among economic,
49	social, racial, religious, and ethnic groups and their members,
50	and endeavors to eliminate discrimination against and antagonism
51	among these groups and their members, and
52	WHEREAS, the Commission's efforts in outreach, training,
53	investigation, and education have had a positive effect on
54	thousands of businesses, employees, organizations, local and
55	state governmental entities, communities, residents, and
56	tourists in this state, and
57	WHEREAS, 2009 marks the 40th Anniversary of the statutory
58	establishment of the Florida Commission on Human Relations by
59	the Florida Legislature, NOW, THEREFORE,
60
61	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
62	Florida:
63
64	That the House of Representatives recognizes the 40th
65	Anniversary of the establishment of the Florida Commission on
66	Human Relations and commends the Commission on its many
67	significant accomplishments in promoting fair treatment, equal
68	access, and mutual respect for and among all persons in Florida.
69	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
70	presented to the Florida Commission on Human Relations as a
71	tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein.

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