Florida Senate - 2019 (NP) SR 632
By Senator Rouson
19-00964-19 2019632__
1 Senate Resolution
2 A resolution recognizing Tampa Theatre as a treasured
3 Florida landmark for its significant contribution to
4 the arts, its historical significance as a preserved
5 and protected landmark, and the service and enjoyment
6 it provides to residents of and visitors to this
7 state.
8
9 WHEREAS, Tampa Theatre, lovingly referred to as “the
10 Tampa,” enjoys a long and luminous history and distinguished
11 heritage, having been constructed in 1926 as one of America’s
12 most majestic and elaborate motion picture palaces, and
13 WHEREAS, the Tampa opened its doors on October 15, 1926, to
14 a sold-out audience, including then-Governor John W. Martin, and
15 WHEREAS, an extraordinary example of movie palace
16 architecture, the Tampa was designed by acclaimed architect John
17 Eberson as his favorite representation of the “atmospheric”
18 style of theatre for which he was renowned, replete with old
19 world style ornamentation and statuary, wrought iron accents,
20 rich tapestries, gargoyles, and a star-filled night sky, and has
21 elegantly endured through the decades, and
22 WHEREAS, in 1976, when changes in the film industry
23 endangered the future of the Tampa, area residents and champions
24 statewide rescued the building for the enjoyment of future
25 generations, and
26 WHEREAS, the Tampa’s successful resurgence as a nonprofit
27 film and cultural center has been central to the economic
28 revitalization of downtown Tampa and the region, and
29 WHEREAS, the Tampa has received international acclaim as
30 being one of the most beautiful, important, and best historic
31 movie theaters in the world, and
32 WHEREAS, the Tampa is fiercely protected and generously
33 supported by the residents of this state and welcomes more than
34 140,000 visitors a year, NOW, THEREFORE,
35
36 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
37
38 That Tampa Theatre is recognized as a treasured Florida
39 landmark for its significant contribution to the arts, its
40 historical significance as a preserved and protected landmark,
41 and the service and enjoyment it provides to residents of and
42 visitors to this state.