Florida Senate - 2024 SR By Senator Simon 3-00976A-24 2024630__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution recognizing the Tallahassee-Leon County Bicentennial and envisioning the powerful next

chapter of Florida’s Capital community. 4

WHEREAS, the Tallahassee-Leon County Bicentennial presents the capital of the third-most populous state in the country an opportunity to reflect and celebrate years of remarkable achievements by citizens with drive, determination, and ambition, and

WHEREAS, the City of Tallahassee, Leon County, and the surrounding region have a rich human history dating back 15,000 years, with present-day Tallahassee being the site of the Indigenous Apalachee capital of Anhaica, and

WHEREAS, Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821, according to terms of the Adams-Onis Treaty between the United States of America and Spain, and

WHEREAS, the City of Tallahassee was chosen to be the seat of government and Florida’s capital for this newly formed territory on March 4, 1824, because of its scenic beauty and enchanting cascade, for the agricultural quality of its rich soils, and because of its strategic geographic position halfway between the historic ports of St. Augustine and Pensacola, and

WHEREAS, the boundaries of Leon County were drawn to encompass the newly designated capital, and the county was established by the Territorial Legislature that same year on December 29, 1824, and

WHEREAS, Florida would later be admitted as the twenty-28 seventh state in the United States in 1845, with the City of Florida Senate - 2024 SR 630 3-00976A-24 2024630__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Tallahassee as its capital, and

WHEREAS, the Tallahassee-Leon County community has produced world-renowned authors, artists, and leaders in arts, politics, 32 mathematics, science, civil rights, and sports, and

WHEREAS, the City of Tallahassee and Leon County are home to three world-class higher education institutions, Florida State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and Tallahassee Community College, which collectively serve approximately 70,000 students each year, and

WHEREAS, the Tallahassee-Leon County Bicentennial Commemoration is an opportunity to recognize the impact and contributions of the rich history, natural beauty, ambition, and diversity that the City of Tallahassee and Leon County have had and continue to have on this state, the nation, and the world, 43

NOW, THEREFORE, 44