Florida Senate - 2021 (NP) SR By Senator Wright 14-02926-21 20212030__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution thanking the men and women of the Florida National Guard for their service and recognizing March 3 23, 2021, as “Florida National Guard Day” in Florida. 4

WHEREAS, as the military arm of the Governor and the people of the State of Florida, the Florida National Guard stands ready in times of crisis or emergency to immediately respond to a call from the Governor, and

WHEREAS, the Florida National Guard traces its lineage back 10 years to when the first muster of a civilian militia took place in St. Augustine, making Florida’s militia the oldest in the nation, and

WHEREAS, today’s Florida National Guard stands strong with approximately 12,000 members, and

WHEREAS, the men and women of the Florida National Guard and their families willingly make sacrifices when pandemics, 17 hurricanes, fires, floods, and other natural disasters occur, 18 serving domestically and around the world in contingency operations, and

WHEREAS, without reservation, more than 22,000 men and women of the Florida National Guard have answered the call to federal active duty in the years since the September 11, 2001, 23 attack on our nation, serving with distinction and honor during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, 26 Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Observant Compass, 27 which have taken them far from their families and friends as they ensure that we are safe at home, and Florida Senate - 2021 (NP) SR 2030 14-02926-21 20212030__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.

WHEREAS, the employers of the men and women of the Florida National Guard have made significant sacrifices in the conduct of their businesses during the deployment of servicemembers, 32 ensuring that jobs await them when they return home from their service, and

WHEREAS, the men and women of the Florida National Guard engage in hundreds of community service projects across the state while preparing for their federal duty, protecting the residents of this state during times of crisis or emergency, and contributing to local programs that add to the quality of life in the United States and in this state,

NOW, THEREFORE, 40

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 42 That the men and women of the Florida National Guard are thanked for their service and that March 23, 2021, is recognized as “Florida National Guard Day” in Florida. 46