Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) SR By Senator Wright 8-02118-25 20251850__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution designating March 26, 2025, as “Bethune-2 Cookman University Day” in Florida and recognizing the university’s profound educational and cultural contributions to this state and beyond. 5

WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University, founded as the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, was opened in by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in Daytona Beach and stands as a beacon of academic excellence and social advancement, steadfastly upholding its mission to provide transformative education to generations of students, and

WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University has made significant contributions to the intellectual and professional development of Florida’s workforce, cultivating leaders who excel across various fields, including education, business, public service, 16 and health care, and

WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University embodies the resilient, 18 creative, and entrepreneurial legacy of its founder and is committed to fostering critical thinking, innovation, and servant leadership by inspiring students to “enter to learn” and 21 “depart to serve” this state, the nation, and the world, and

WHEREAS, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is one of two Floridians whose likenesses are displayed in the National Statuary Hall, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to American history and reflecting Florida’s commitment to recognizing transformative leaders, and

WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University’s Founder’s Day, March 32 26, provides an opportunity to honor the legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and the university, to celebrate the university’s ongoing achievements, and to affirm Florida’s commitment to supporting institutions of higher learning that enrich our communities and our future,

NOW, THEREFORE, 37