Florida Senate - 2015                                    SR 1564
       
       
        
       By Senator Latvala
       
       
       
       
       
       20-01773A-15                                          20151564__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing entrepreneur and
    3         philanthropist Kate Tiedemann for her inspiring
    4         dedication and generosity to the students and faculty
    5         of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and
    6         numerous charities in this state.
    7  
    8         WHEREAS, Kate Tiedemann came to the United States in 1955
    9  as an 18-year-old immigrant from Germany, taking her first step
   10  toward achieving the American Dream, and
   11         WHEREAS, Kate Tiedemann, the consummate entrepreneur,
   12  founded a worldwide ophthalmic surgical instrument company in
   13  1975 called Katena Products, Inc., marketing 1,400 items in 110
   14  countries to more than 7,000 eye surgeons, outpatient surgery
   15  centers, and hospitals, and
   16         WHEREAS, Kate Tiedemann has graciously and generously
   17  shared her good fortune with numerous charities, including
   18  Morton Plant Mease Health Care and the Homeless Emergency
   19  Project in Clearwater, and
   20         WHEREAS, in September 2014, the Kate Tiedemann College of
   21  Business was named to honor her gift of $10 million to the
   22  University of South Florida St. Petersburg, thus creating an
   23  endowment for the enrichment of faculty and students and for
   24  engagement of the business community in meeting the workforce
   25  needs of this state, and
   26         WHEREAS, Kate Tiedemann’s gift is the largest in the 50
   27  year history of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg
   28  and will play a central role in shaping the future of that
   29  institution, and
   30         WHEREAS, the Kate Tiedemann College of Business is one of
   31  the few institutions worldwide to earn dual accreditation from
   32  the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
   33  International in both business and accounting, and has an online
   34  MBA program ranked 32nd nationally and second in Florida by U.S.
   35  News & World Report, and
   36         WHEREAS, Kate Tiedemann’s story of overcoming challenges to
   37  fulfill her dreams and to support the community is a true
   38  inspiration for all, NOW, THEREFORE,
   39  
   40  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   41  
   42         That we recognize Kate Tiedemann for her inspiring
   43  dedication and generosity to the students and faculty of the
   44  University of South Florida St. Petersburg and numerous
   45  charities in Florida.
   46         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
   47  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Kate Tiedemann
   48  as a tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.