Florida Senate - 2025                            (NP)    SR 1850
       
       
        
       By Senator Wright
       
       
       
       
       
       8-02118-25                                            20251850__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution designating March 26, 2025, as “Bethune
    3         Cookman University Day” in Florida and recognizing the
    4         university’s profound educational and cultural
    5         contributions to this state and beyond.
    6  
    7         WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University, founded as the Daytona
    8  Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, was
    9  opened in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in Daytona Beach and
   10  stands as a beacon of academic excellence and social
   11  advancement, steadfastly upholding its mission to provide
   12  transformative education to generations of students, and
   13         WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University has made significant
   14  contributions to the intellectual and professional development
   15  of Florida’s workforce, cultivating leaders who excel across
   16  various fields, including education, business, public service,
   17  and health care, and
   18         WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University embodies the resilient,
   19  creative, and entrepreneurial legacy of its founder and is
   20  committed to fostering critical thinking, innovation, and
   21  servant leadership by inspiring students to “enter to learn” and
   22  “depart to serve” this state, the nation, and the world, and
   23         WHEREAS, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is one of two Floridians
   24  whose likenesses are displayed in the National Statuary Hall, in
   25  recognition of her extraordinary contributions to American
   26  history and reflecting Florida’s commitment to recognizing
   27  transformative leaders, and
   28         WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University and its alumni,
   29  faculty, and students have made significant contributions to the
   30  economy and social fabric of this state, embodying the ideals of
   31  civic responsibility and lifelong learning, and
   32         WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University’s Founder’s Day, March
   33  26, provides an opportunity to honor the legacy of Dr. Mary
   34  McLeod Bethune and the university, to celebrate the university’s
   35  ongoing achievements, and to affirm Florida’s commitment to
   36  supporting institutions of higher learning that enrich our
   37  communities and our future, NOW, THEREFORE,
   38  
   39  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   40  
   41         That in recognition of Bethune-Cookman University’s
   42  contributions as an institution of excellence, March 26, 2025,
   43  is designated as “Bethune-Cookman University Day” in Florida.
   44         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
   45  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Dr. William
   46  Berry, President of Bethune-Cookman University, as a tangible
   47  token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.