Res No 203-14-14297RESOLUTION NO.203-14-14297
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami,
Florida,advocating the legal separation of Florida into two separate states,creating
the 51st state in the Union and naming it "South Florida".
Whereas,presently,thestate of Floridaconsists of 67countiesinanarea of approximately 56
thousandsquaremileswithapopulation of approximately 19,135,000 people;and
Whereas,thenew proposed state of SouthFloridawouldhave24 counties ("which counties shall
hereinafterbe referred toas "South Florida").These24 counties are35%of thetotal number of counties
inthecurrentstate of Floridaandtheywouldcompriseapproximately23,000squaremilesinarea.Thus,
South Florida would be comprised of 39%of thearea of the current state of Florida and would havea
population of approximately13,375,000peoplewhichis67%of thetotalpopulation of thecurrentstate
of Florida;and
Whereas,presently,thestate of Floridacollectsapproximately22billiondollarsinsalesand
documentarytaxesfromall of Florida,of which69percent,15.25billiondollars,iscollectedinSouth
Florida;and
Whereas,thenewstateof South Florida will consist of24 counties withits northern borderbeing
Brevard,Orange,Polk,Hillsborough andPinellasandincludetheother19countiessouth of those five
counties;and
Whereas,SouthFloridaWater Management DistrictstartsinOrangeCountyandincludesmost
of the aforementioned CountiesinSouthFlorida;and
Whereas,the average elevation ofthe present stateofFloridais approximately 100feet above
sea level.North Florida is approximately 120 feet above sea level while the average elevation of South
Florida is less than 50feetwithavery large portion of South Florida averaging less than 15 feet above sea
level.Many sections of South Florida are 5 feet or less above sea level,including Monroe County and the
Gold Coast,consisting of Palm Beach County,Broward County and Miami-Dade County.This area also
includes the Everglades National Park,Big Cypress National Preserve,Biscayne National Park and the
TurkeyPointnuclear reactors.These reactors are42yearsoldandlessthan5feetabovesealevelwithin
excess of 2.5 million pounds of nuclear waste buried on the grounds of the nuclear plant.
Whereas,Lake Okeechobee,located in South Florida,isthe second largest freshwater lake inthe
United States and the source of much of the fresh water supplied to South Florida and could be severely
compromised byrisingsealevels;and
Whereas,climate change isa scientific reality resulting in global warming and rising sea level;
and
Whereas,itis estimated that there will be a3to6 foot sea level rise by the end of this century.
In addition,South Florida has very porous rock and,as the level of the sea rises,the pressure will cause
watertoriseupthroughthegroundandfloodthe inland areas;and
Whereas,South Florida's situation is very precarious and in need of immediate attention.Many
of the issues facing South Florida are not political,but are now significant safety issues;and
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Res.No.203-14-14297
Whereas,presently,in order to address the concerns of South Florida,itis necessary to travel to
Tallahassee in North Florida.Often South Florida issuesdonot receive the support of Tallahassee.This
is despite thefact that South Florida generates morethan69%of the state's revenue and contains 67%of
the state's population;and
Whereas,thecreationofthe 51st state,South Florida,isa necessity forthevery survival ofthe
entire southern region of the current state of Florida.
NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA:
Section1.Therecitalscontainedinthisresolutionareadoptedandmadeaparthereofby
referenceandtheyreflectthe exigency thatnowexistsandtheneedforimmediateaction.
Section2.TheMayorandCity Commission oftheCity of SouthMiami,Florida,hereby
advocate thelegalseparationofFloridaintotwo separate states,creatingthe 51st stateintheUnion,and
naming it "South Florida".Itis understood thatthisisonlythefirststepinavery complicated process
anditwill ultimately require the approval ofthe electorate ofthe entire state as well as Congressional
approval.
Section 3.TheCity Clerk is directed to send a copy ofthis resolution toall municipalities in
Miami-Dade County,the members of the governing bodies of all 24 counties that are in the proposed
SouthFloridaregion,andtheirrespectiveleagueofcities.
Section 4.Severability.If any section clause,sentence,or phrase of this resolution isfor any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional bya court of competent jurisdiction,the holding shall not affect the
validity of theremainingportions of thisresolution.
Section 5.Effective Date.This resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption by
vote of theCity Commission.
PASSEDANDADOPTEDthis _7th dayof October ,2014.
ATTEST:
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APPROVED:
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Harris:
Commissioner Edmond:
Commissioner Liebman:
Commissioner Welsh:
3-2
Yea
Yea
Nay
Nay
Yea