Florida Senate - 2019 (NP) SR 1862 By Senator Taddeo 40-03779B-19 20191862__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing April 25, 2019, as “Colombia 3 Day” in Florida. 4 5 WHEREAS, the Colombian population constitutes the fourth 6 largest Hispanic nationality in this state, with an estimated 7 population of 304,000 Colombian and Colombian-American people 8 statewide in 2010, and with 244,000 Colombians and Colombian 9 Americans residing in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach 10 Counties in 2017, making Colombians the second-largest Hispanic 11 nationality in South Florida, and 12 WHEREAS, the growing number of Colombian residents in 13 Central Florida has prompted the opening of a second Colombian 14 consulate in Orlando, making Colombia only the second Latin 15 American country to have two consulates in the Sunshine State, 16 and 17 WHEREAS, as the Colombian-American community grows in 18 number and influence, members of that community are seeking new 19 opportunities to participate in local and state politics and are 20 becoming an extraordinary political force as they support the 21 global fight for freedom and democracy for all people, and 22 WHEREAS, as Colombian and Colombian-American writers, 23 actors, painters, sculptors, musicians, and other artists who 24 have made this state their home gain public recognition and 25 critical acclaim, the cultural and artistic contributions of the 26 Colombian and Colombian-American communities to this state 27 continue to grow, and 28 WHEREAS, Colombian entrepreneurs have created and sustained 29 thriving businesses in all sectors of the economy, such as 30 services, the hospitality industry, media and production, 31 communications, marketing, and construction, and 32 WHEREAS, Colombia is a long-standing and stable ally of the 33 United States, and Colombian residents of this state have been 34 instrumental in maintaining that relationship due to their 35 economic, familial, and political ties to their country of 36 origin, NOW, THEREFORE, 37 38 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 39 40 That April 25, 2019, is recognized as “Colombia Day” in 41 Florida.