Florida Senate - 2011                            (NP)    SR 2216
       
       
       
       By Senator Gaetz
       
       
       
       
       4-05469-11                                            20112216__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing the visionary leadership of
    3         Education Commissioner Eric Smith.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, Eric Smith began his career in Florida as a
    6  classroom teacher more than 30 years ago, and
    7         WHEREAS, Eric Smith’s commitment to positive change in the
    8  field of education led him to several administrative positions
    9  in Florida school districts and, eventually, to 16 years of
   10  serving as a district superintendent in Virginia, North
   11  Carolina, and Maryland, and
   12         WHEREAS, as the commissioner of one of the largest state
   13  agencies in Florida, Eric Smith has managed an operating budget
   14  of more than $17 billion to provide supports and services that
   15  have increased the proficiency of all students, including those
   16  who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled, and
   17         WHEREAS, Eric Smith’s goals of increasing the academic
   18  achievement of all students and reducing the disparity in
   19  achievement among student subgroups have remained constant
   20  throughout his career, and
   21         WHEREAS, Eric Smith’s success in consistently meeting these
   22  goals in individual districts bears testimony to his own passion
   23  to change students’ lives, to the urgency he brings to the
   24  challenges involved, and to his leadership in ensuring the
   25  involvement of all stakeholders, and
   26         WHEREAS, Eric Smith is the author of the Florida Education
   27  Next Generation Strategic Plan, a visionary blueprint that
   28  focuses on strategic targets and benchmarks in order to assist
   29  students in achieving success in the 21st Century, NOW,
   30  THEREFORE,
   31  
   32  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   33  
   34         That the members of the Senate recognize the visionary
   35  leadership of Education Commissioner Eric Smith and express deep
   36  appreciation for his outstanding service to the people of this
   37  state.