Florida Senate - 2022 (NP) SR By Senator Rouson 19-03306-22 20221988__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution recognizing the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County. 3

WHEREAS, few alternatives to adult incarceration existed for the rehabilitation of dependent and delinquent children in Pinellas County in the early 1940s, and

WHEREAS, three local champions of that time — juvenile court judge Lincoln Bogue, Junior League of St. Petersburg founder and chair Mailande Holland Barton, and attorney Leonard Cooperman — recognized the need to remedy the issue and took action, and

WHEREAS, a bill sponsored by Senator Henry Baynard and Representative S. Henry Harris and supported by the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation was drafted to create an independent special district, led by an autonomous board, to protect the rights and serve the needs of children, and the bill passed both chambers in May 1945, and

WHEREAS, on November 5, 1946, Pinellas County voters overwhelmingly passed a referendum to enact the Juve nile Welfare Board Special Act into law, the first time in United States history that such an entity had been created, and

WHEREAS, 75 years later, the Juvenile Welfare Board remains steadfast in its commitment to meet the most immediate and pressing needs of Pinellas County’s children, with the recent global pandemic underscoring its value, and

WHEREAS, in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the Juvenile Welfare Board invested in programs offered by nonprofit agencies that served nearly 60,000 children and families, while also Florida Senate - 2022 (NP) SR 1988 19-03306-22 20221988__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. leading collective efforts to fight childhood hunger, promote literacy and grade-level reading, address children’s mental health, and prevent needless childhood deaths,

NOW, THEREFORE, 32

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 34 That the Senate recognizes and congratulates the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County on the occasion of its 75th anniversary for its tireless service and invaluable contributions to the children and families of Pinellas County and this state. 40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein. 43 44