Florida Senate - 2015 (NP) SR 1566 By Senator Ring 29-01090A-15 20151566__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing October 23, 2015, as 3 “Seminole Tribe of Florida Appreciation Day.” 4 5 WHEREAS, the Seminole Tribe of Florida is a native group 6 that includes more than 2,000 descendants of the unconquered 7 warriors indigenous to this state, and 8 WHEREAS, the origins of the Seminole Tribe of Florida can 9 be traced back 12,000 years, providing a unique insight into the 10 language, art, and culture that shaped the historical legacy of 11 all Floridians, and 12 WHEREAS, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has an established 13 tradition of heroic action taken to maintain its independence 14 and preserve its culture, and 15 WHEREAS, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has followed the 16 storied American tradition of rising out of poverty into 17 prosperity, and 18 WHEREAS, the Seminole Tribe of Florida promotes cultural 19 attractions, such as the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum, 20 the Billie Swamp Safari, the Big Cypress RV Resort and 21 Campground, and the Seminole Okalee Indian Village, which allow 22 tourists to appreciate the Florida Everglades, and 23 WHEREAS, the Seminole Tribe of Florida employs more than 24 2,000 Floridians and purchases more than $24 million annually in 25 goods and services from more than 850 Florida vendors, and 26 WHEREAS, the Seminole Tribe of Florida is economically 27 independent, relying on tourism and bingo profits to pay for 28 infrastructure and schooling on the Seminole reservations, and 29 WHEREAS, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has provided South 30 Florida residents with a high-quality music and performance 31 venue and entertainment facilities, NOW, THEREFORE, 32 33 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 34 35 That October 23, 2015, is recognized as “Seminole Tribe of 36 Florida Appreciation Day.” 37 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with 38 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to the Seminole 39 Tribe of Florida as a tangible token of the sentiments of the 40 Florida Senate.