Florida Senate - 2021                            (NP)    SR 2074
       
       
        
       By Senator Broxson
       
       
       
       
       
       1-04883A-21                                           20212074__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing the bicentennial of Escambia
    3         County on July 17, 2021.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, Escambia County is the site of the first Spanish
    6  settlement within the United States, dating back to 1559, and
    7         WHEREAS, when Spain ceded Florida to the United States in
    8  1821, the entire territory was divided into just two counties,
    9  Escambia and St. Johns, and
   10         WHEREAS, on July 17, 1821, the Spanish flag was lowered and
   11  the American flag was raised in the new territory, and
   12         WHEREAS, the boundary of the territory known as West
   13  Florida, which became Escambia County, extended east to west for
   14  more than 200 miles, from the Suwanee River to the Perdido
   15  River, and
   16         WHEREAS, Escambia County has the longest-standing county
   17  commission, office of mayor, and fire and health departments in
   18  this state, with each of those entities celebrating its 200th
   19  anniversary in 2021, and
   20         WHEREAS, today, Escambia County has grown to more than
   21  318,000 residents, many of whom live in the county seat,
   22  Pensacola, and
   23         WHEREAS, Escambia County is home to the University of West
   24  Florida, Pensacola State College, and Pensacola Christian
   25  College, and its beautiful beaches draw visitors from around the
   26  globe, and
   27         WHEREAS, Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, located next to
   28  Warrington, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits,
   29  is known as “The Cradle of Naval Aviation” and serves as the
   30  primary training base for all United States Navy, Marine Corps,
   31  and Coast Guard officers pursuing designation as naval aviators,
   32  and
   33         WHEREAS, NAS Pensacola is the advanced training base for
   34  most naval flight officers and is the home base for the United
   35  States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the precision-flying
   36  team known as the Blue Angels, and
   37         WHEREAS, Escambia County is known as “The Western Gate to
   38  the Sunshine State” and as “First Place City,” and
   39         WHEREAS, steeped in history, but forward thinking, Escambia
   40  County is a wonderful place to visit, but a better place to call
   41  home, NOW, THEREFORE,
   42  
   43  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   44  
   45         That July 17, 2021, is recognized as the bicentennial of
   46  Escambia County.