Bill Text: FL S1672 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Andy Ford
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-29 - Adopted [S1672 Detail]
Download: Florida-2015-S1672-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2015 (NP) SR 1672 By Senator Joyner 19-04738-15 20151672__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution honoring the service of Andy Ford and 3 commending him for his dedication to the enrichment of 4 public education in Florida. 5 6 WHEREAS, a native of Princeton, New Jersey, Andy Ford 7 earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Flagler College in St. 8 Augustine, and 9 WHEREAS, Andy Ford taught in a Catholic school in Trenton, 10 New Jersey, and in urban public elementary schools in 11 Jacksonville, and 12 WHEREAS, Andy Ford has held many positions as an education 13 leader, including president of the Duval Teachers United in 14 Jacksonville, vice president of the American Federation of 15 Teachers, and vice president and president of the Florida 16 Education Association (FEA), where he currently holds the 17 distinction of being the longest-serving president of the 18 organization, and 19 WHEREAS, Andy Ford was instrumental in merging the state’s 20 two rival teachers unions into a single, unified, powerful voice 21 for excellence in public education in Florida, and 22 WHEREAS, as FEA president, Andy Ford represents more than 23 140,000 school employees in Florida’s public schools, community 24 colleges, and universities, including teachers, education staff 25 professionals, higher education faculty, graduate assistants, 26 retired members, and other staff, and 27 WHEREAS, Andy Ford’s leadership has focused on high-quality 28 public schools for every student, dignity and justice for all 29 workers, equal opportunities regardless of race or gender, and 30 furthering of education as a means for individuals to achieve 31 the great American dream, and 32 WHEREAS, Andy Ford continues to work tirelessly to build a 33 better world for the next generation by opposing damaging public 34 education policies, developing nontraditional alliances, working 35 in a bipartisan manner to move education issues forward, and 36 mobilizing members to strengthen the FEA’s voice on important 37 education matters, and 38 WHEREAS, in commemoration of his final session as FEA 39 president, Andy Ford will be remembered as a thoughtful, 40 purposeful, and stalwart advocate for Florida’s public school 41 students and those who work in our public schools, NOW, 42 THEREFORE, 43 44 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 45 46 That we recognize the contributions and services of Andy 47 Ford and commend him for his lifelong dedication to the 48 preservation and advancement of public education in Florida. 49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with 50 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Andy Ford as a 51 tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.