Florida Senate - 2013 (NP) SR 1870 By Senator Simpson 18-03592-13 20131870__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing the life work of civil rights 3 activist Margarita Romo and celebrating her induction 4 into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame. 5 6 WHEREAS, Margarita Romo was born in Texas of Mexican 7 descent and is the founder and executive director of Farmworkers 8 Self-Help, Inc., an organization that facilitates the self 9 development of farmworkers and other underprivileged persons 10 through programs of education, advocacy, organizing, and help, 11 and 12 WHEREAS, as the only woman directing a farmworker 13 organization in this state, Margarita Romo also organized 14 Agricultural Women Involved in New Goals (AWING), the first 15 farmworker women’s organization in Florida, and 16 WHEREAS, Margarita Romo also developed the Norma Godinez 17 Learning Center, designed to address the educational needs of 18 farmworkers and other poor, and 19 WHEREAS, Margarita Romo has devoted the past 30 years of 20 her life to improving the quality of life for residents of 21 Tommytown, a depressed, crime-ridden area of Dade City, and 22 WHEREAS, Margarita Romo has devoted her life to community 23 service, including service as a member of the Florida Education 24 and Employment Council for Women and Girls, and 8 years’ service 25 as a member of the District 5 Health and Human Services Board of 26 the Department of Children and Families, and 27 WHEREAS, Margarita Romo is the recipient of numerous 28 recognitions and awards, including the Robert Bannerman Award, 29 given to distinguished activists of color; the Clairol Award, in 30 recognition of the accomplishments of women over age 35; the 31 Cramer-Fisher Award, given by MAZON: A Jewish Response to 32 Hunger, in recognition of her accomplishments in working for the 33 alleviation of hunger and poverty; the Cesar Chavez Award for 34 farmworker advocacy; and the Florida Commission on the Status of 35 Women Achievement Award; and, in 2010, she was named Hispanic 36 Woman of the Year by Tampa Hispanic Heritage, and 37 WHEREAS, on February 27, 2013, Governor Rick Scott 38 announced the selection of Margarita Romo as an inductee into 39 the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame, and 40 WHEREAS, Margarita Romo is a role model and inspiration to 41 all who know her, NOW, THEREFORE, 42 43 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 44 45 That we do hereby recognize and commend the life work of 46 civil rights activist Margarita Romo and celebrate her induction 47 into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.