Florida Senate - 2013 (NP) SR 1414 By Senator Evers 2-01734-13 20131414__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing Bay County on the occasion of 3 its centennial celebration. 4 5 WHEREAS, Bay County was established on July 1, 1913, 6 following the signing of its charter on April 24, 1913, and 7 WHEREAS, Bay County is located in the heart of Florida’s 8 Great Northwest, with 27 miles of sugar white sandy beaches 9 overlooking the beautiful, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of 10 Mexico, and 11 WHEREAS, with 270 square miles of water, Bay County’s 12 pristine lakes, springs, streams, and the magnificent St. 13 Andrews Bay provide excellent fishing, water sports, and other 14 recreational activities, as well as one of the most ecologically 15 diverse areas in this great state, and 16 WHEREAS, with a total of 1,033 square miles, Bay County’s 17 beautiful beaches and diverse inland areas attract 8 million 18 visitors from around the globe each year and also boast an 19 educated and enthusiastic workforce that creates a vibrant 20 business environment, and 21 WHEREAS, Bay County is composed of seven incorporated 22 municipalities, Callaway, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City, 23 which is the county seat, Panama City Beach, Parker, and 24 Springfield, and several unincorporated areas, and 25 WHEREAS, Bay County has experienced impressive growth in 26 population, from 11,407 in 1920 to about 170,000 in 2010, and 27 WHEREAS, Bay County contributes significantly to this 28 state’s overall economic well-being, rich history, and cultural 29 diversity, NOW, THEREFORE, 30 31 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 32 33 That we recognize Bay County’s proud past and bright future 34 on the occasion of its centennial celebration and honor the 35 residents, community leaders, and elected officials of Bay 36 County as they celebrate its rich history along beautiful St. 37 Andrews Bay. 38 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be 39 presented to the chairman of the Board of County Commissioners 40 of Bay County as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed in 41 this resolution.