Florida Senate - 2012 (NP) SR 2146 By Senator Latvala 16-04522-12 20122146__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing the Clearwater Marine 3 Aquarium for its extraordinary efforts in 4 rehabilitating the dolphin “Winter” and for bringing 5 hope and encouragement to those around the world who 6 have prosthetics. 7 8 WHEREAS, when a young dolphin was brought to the Clearwater 9 Marine Aquarium with injuries sustained when she was caught in a 10 crab trap, a chain of events was set into motion which brought 11 worldwide attention to issues surrounding wildlife conservation 12 and the development of prosthetic devices that allow individuals 13 to resume active, whole lives, and 14 WHEREAS, the dolphin, named “Winter” by those at the 15 Clearwater Marine Aquarium who worked to save her life, won the 16 hearts of all who heard of her plight, which was made even more 17 desperate when her injuries forced the amputation of her tail, 18 and 19 WHEREAS, the efforts of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to 20 rehabilitate Winter, which are the subject of the acclaimed 2011 21 Warner Brothers film “Dolphin Tale,” stimulated the economy of 22 the City of Clearwater, the Tampa Bay area, and this state, and 23 WHEREAS, Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., developed 24 Winter’s plastic tail and Winter’s Gel, which is now used by 25 thousands of people who have prosthetics, and 26 WHEREAS, Winter and her story have inspired countless 27 individuals who have prosthetics, especially children and 28 veterans returning from the wars in the Middle East, and 29 WHEREAS, the film “Dolphin Tale” provided a world stage for 30 the mission of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is 31 education, rescue, and rehabilitation, and 32 WHEREAS, the Board of Directors and staff of the Clearwater 33 Marine Aquarium, and all involved in Winter’s rehabilitation, 34 are deserving of public recognition for their heroic efforts, 35 NOW, THEREFORE, 36 37 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 38 39 That the Florida Senate recognizes the Clearwater Marine 40 Aquarium for its extraordinary efforts in rehabilitating the 41 dolphin “Winter” and for bringing hope and encouragement to 42 those around the world who have prosthetics. 43 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with 44 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to the Clearwater 45 Marine Aquarium as a tangible token of the sentiments of the 46 Florida Senate.