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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
House Resolution 1
A resolution designating April 2, 2022, as "Puerto 2
Rican Heritage Day" in Florida. 3
4
WHEREAS, Puerto Ricans and their ancestors have made many 5
great contributions, in all fields of endeavor, to the state, 6
the nation, and humanity, and 7
WHEREAS, in March 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon, the first 8
Governor of Puerto Rico, sailed with a crew from Puerto Rico, 9
eventually discovering and naming Florida on Ap ril 2, 1513, and 10
WHEREAS, other Puerto Rican ancestors opened the doors to 11
the development of Florida and the United States as they 12
introduced Christianity as well as horses, cows, pigs, oranges, 13
and other goods that advanced civilization more than 100 ye ars 14
before the Pilgrims arrived in North America, and 15
WHEREAS, a contingent of Spanish and Puerto Rican ancestors 16
served and fought in the American Revolutionary War under the 17
military leadership of Don Bernado de Gàlvez, Governor of 18
Louisiana, who provid ed arms, food, funding, and supplies to 19
assist in securing independence for the United States, and 20
WHEREAS, the Spanish province of Florida was linked by 21
Spanish rule to Puerto Rico and Cuba at the time of Florida's 22
cession to the United States, and 23
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
WHEREAS, there are 5.8 million Puerto Ricans residing 24
stateside and in Puerto Rico, with approximately 1.2 million 25
Puerto Ricans residing in Florida, and 26
WHEREAS, Puerto Ricans are the second largest Hispanic 27
group in the United States who have sacrificed and contributed 28
to building and fighting for the nation, and 29
WHEREAS, the United States 65
th
Infantry Regiment, also 30
known as the Borinqueneers, a group of military men from Puerto 31
Rico, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the 32
highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress, and the 33
Governor's Veterans Service Award by former Florida Governor 34
Rick Scott as many Borinqueneers now reside in Florida, and 35
WHEREAS, there are several courageous Puerto Rican 36
recipients of the United States Meda l of Honor and many other 37
Puerto Ricans who have received awards for their loyal and brave 38
service to and defense of the United States, and 39
WHEREAS, many Puerto Ricans serve in leadership and hold 40
official positions in state and federal government, and 41
WHEREAS, Puerto Ricans who reside in Florida actively 42
participate in public affairs and make significant cultural, 43
political, artistic, and social contributions that enhance the 44
overall welfare of Florida and its residents, and 45
WHEREAS, April 2, 2022, mark s the 509
th
anniversary of the 46
founding of Florida by Puerto Rican ancestors and the beginning 47
of their contributions to the state, NOW, THEREFORE, 48
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of 50
Florida: 51
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That April 2, 2022, is designated as "Puerto Rican Heritage 53
Day" in Florida. 54