| 1 | House Resolution |
| 2 | A resolution recognizing Ted M. Hires, Sr., for his |
| 3 | valuable contributions to the residents of the City |
| 4 | Jacksonville and the State of Florida as an advocate of |
| 5 | victim's rights. |
| 6 |
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| 7 | WHEREAS, Ted M. Hires, Sr., was born in Jesup, Georgia, |
| 8 | where he grew to be both ambitious and hardworking, and moved to |
| 9 | Jacksonville, Florida, almost four decades ago, where he became |
| 10 | a successful businessman who not only worked in a variety of |
| 11 | positions for the corporate offices of the Sonny's Real Pit |
| 12 | Barbecue franchise but also owned four Sonny's restaurants in |
| 13 | the Jacksonville area, and |
| 14 | WHEREAS, in July 1995, following a robbery at one of his |
| 15 | Jacksonville restaurants in which he and his employees were held |
| 16 | at gunpoint, Ted M. Hires, Sr., founded the Justice Coalition, |
| 17 | and |
| 18 | WHEREAS, with advocacy for innocent victims of violent |
| 19 | crimes as his prime objective, and primarily using his own |
| 20 | funds, Ted M. Hires, Sr., built the Justice Coalition as an |
| 21 | organization intent on helping to improve the criminal justice |
| 22 | system's service to the community, and |
| 23 | WHEREAS, the Justice Coalition has made remarkable strides, |
| 24 | not only in bringing criminal justice to the forefront of public |
| 25 | awareness, but also in offering and participating in solutions |
| 26 | to the many problems afflicting the criminal justice system, and |
| 27 | WHEREAS, in 1996, Ted M. Hires, Sr., began publication of a |
| 28 | monthly newspaper entitled the Victims' Advocate to inform the |
| 29 | general public regarding issues concerning criminal justice and |
| 30 | the incredible toll crime takes on its victims and their |
| 31 | families, to draw attention to the need for change in the |
| 32 | criminal laws and policies of this state, and to recognize and |
| 33 | support efforts to reduce crime and increase public safety by |
| 34 | members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and other concerned |
| 35 | citizens, and |
| 36 | WHEREAS, never asking for any compensation for himself, and |
| 37 | refusing to seek government grants for the Justice Coalition's |
| 38 | work, Ted M. Hires, Sr., was a shining example of how one person |
| 39 | can make a significant difference in the lives of others, and |
| 40 | WHEREAS, the passing of Ted M. Hires, Sr., on Wednesday, |
| 41 | December 17, 2008, leaves a void in the hearts of his family and |
| 42 | friends and a community grateful for his many contributions, |
| 43 | NOW, THEREFORE, |
| 44 |
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| 45 | Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of |
| 46 | Florida: |
| 47 |
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| 48 | That Ted M. Hires, Sr., is recognized for his valuable |
| 49 | contributions to the residents of the City Jacksonville and the |
| 50 | State of Florida and is remembered and honored for his service |
| 51 | to his community and his advocacy of victim's rights. |
| 52 | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be |
| 53 | presented to the family of Ted M. Hires, Sr., as a tangible |
| 54 | token of the sentiments expressed herein. |