Florida Senate - 2026                                     SB 194
       
       
        
       By Senator Martin
       
       
       
       
       
       33-00520-26                                            2026194__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance;
    3         creating s. 683.338, F.S.; designating October 14 of
    4         each year as “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance”;
    5         authorizing the Governor to issue an annual
    6         proclamation; providing an effective date.
    7  
    8         WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk was a champion of free speech, civil
    9  dialogue, and faith, and
   10         WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk consistently promoted the values of
   11  individual liberty, open debate, civic engagement, and defense
   12  of constitutional principles, and
   13         WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk believed in the power of free speech
   14  and the open debate of ideas as the foundation of a free
   15  society, and he dedicated his life to ensuring those principles
   16  were upheld on college and university campuses and in public
   17  life, and
   18         WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk was a co-founder and the executive
   19  director of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization with
   20  thousands of chapters nationwide, including active chapters at
   21  colleges and universities across this state, where his work
   22  inspired Florida students to embrace civic participation and the
   23  principles of liberty and democracy, and
   24         WHEREAS, through his public speaking, writing, and media
   25  presence, Charlie Kirk reached millions of Americans, including
   26  Floridians of all ages, encouraging them to take part in civic
   27  life and defend constitutional freedoms, and
   28         WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk’s life’s work contributed to
   29  strengthening civic education, youth leadership, free speech,
   30  and public discourse within this state and across the nation,
   31  and
   32         WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk is honored for his contributions to
   33  free speech, open debate, civic education, youth leadership, and
   34  the advancement of individual liberties, which left a lasting
   35  impact on this state’s students and civic organizations, and
   36         WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk’s tragic death on September 10, 2025,
   37  was not only a national loss but also deeply felt within
   38  Florida’s civic and educational communities, NOW, THEREFORE,
   39  
   40  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   41  
   42         Section 1. Section 683.338, Florida Statutes, is created to
   43  read:
   44         683.338 Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance.—
   45         (1) October 14 of each year is designated as “Charlie Kirk
   46  Day of Remembrance.”
   47         (2) The Governor may annually issue a proclamation
   48  designating October 14 as “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance.”
   49         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.