Florida Senate - 2013                            (NP)    SR 1912
       
       
       
       By Senator Latvala
       
       
       
       
       20-05230-13                                           20131912__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing “Flight 2014, The Centennial
    3         Celebration of The World’s First Airline.”
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, on January 1, 1914, Tony Jannus made aviation
    6  history by flying the Benoist #14 on the inaugural 22-minute
    7  flight of the St. Petersburg to Tampa Airboat Line, the world’s
    8  first scheduled commercial airline, and
    9         WHEREAS, the events of that day fostered an industry that
   10  has made worldwide travel not only possible, but practical, and
   11         WHEREAS, that pioneering flight exemplifies the
   12  entrepreneurial spirit that has evolved into an industry that
   13  has an economic impact in this state of nearly $100 billion and
   14  in the nation of more than $1.3 trillion, and
   15         WHEREAS, today, Florida has more than 100 airports, with 14
   16  enjoying international status and 60 commercial air carriers
   17  serving the nation and employing more than 500,000 persons, and
   18         WHEREAS, as the 100th anniversary of this historic event
   19  grows near, plans are underway to commemorate the flight with a
   20  reenactment using a full-scale replica airboat, and
   21         WHEREAS, this prediction by Percival Fansler, founder of
   22  the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, has proved prophetic:
   23  “The Airboat Line to Tampa will be only a forerunner of great
   24  activity along these lines in the near future. . . What was
   25  impossible yesterday is an accomplishment of today—while
   26  tomorrow heralds the unbelievable,” NOW, THEREFORE,
   27  
   28  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   29  
   30         That we recognize “Flight 2014, The Centennial Celebration
   31  of The World’s First Airline,” and express appreciation to the
   32  three founding organizations of the commemoration, the Florida
   33  Aviation Historical Society, the St. Petersburg Museum of
   34  History, and the Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society.