Res No 009-23-15943RESOLUTION NO. 009-23-15943
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE PROCLAMATION
RECOGNIZING DAVID LAWRENCE, JR. AND DECLARING JANUARY
17, 2023 AS" DAVID LAWRENCE, JR DAY".
WHEREAS, David Lawrence, Jr. retired as publisher of the Miami Herald in 1999 to
fully dedicate himself to become Florida's foremost advocate for early childhood development
and readiness; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lawrence is the founder & chair of The Children's Movement of
Florida, which has elevated investment in early childhood learning as a top priority for the state
of Florida.; and
WHEREAS, in 2002 and 2008 he led successful campaigns to establish and then make
permanent The Children's Trust, a dedicated source of early intervention and prevention funding
for children in Miami-Dade; and
WHEREAS, in 2002-2003 he chaired the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Child
Protection, and in 2011 chaired a similar panel for the Department of Children and Families; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, he was a key figure in passing a statewide constitutional
amendment to provide pre-K for all 4-year-olds; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lawrence serves on the boards of numerous charitable & civic
organizations selflessly giving of his time and talent to improve the lives of individuals across
our community through such organizations: and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lawrence, in addition to being an avid reader and published author, has
mentored countless individuals in our community whose own contributions have and continue to
enhance our community because of the sage wisdom and counsel he imparted; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami wish to issue a
proclamation to recognize the great contributions of David Lawrence, Jr. to our community and
proclaim January 17, 2023 "David Lawrence Jr. Day".
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Recitals Adopted. The foregoing recitals are hereby ratified and confirmed
as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this resolution upon adoption
hereof.
Page 1 of 2
Res . No. 009-23-15943
Section 2 . Approval of Proclamation. T he Mayo r a nd City C ommissio n for the City
of Sou th Miami h ereby approve the attach ed Proclama t io n recognizin g the great contributions of
D avid Lawrence, Jr. to our community and procla im Janua ry 17, 2023 "Dav id Lawrence Jr.
Day".
Section 3. Effective Date. This R esolution s h a ll become effective immed iately upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTE D thi s 17 th day of Jan uarv , 2023 .
ATTEST:
cWv\.~
READ AND A PPROV ED AS TO FORM,
L A GUAGE, LEGALITY, AND
EXECUT IO N THEREOF
~ELFMAN COLE&
B IERMAN , P.L.
C ITY ATTOR NEY
Page 2 of 2
COMMISSION VOTE:
May o r Fernand ez:
Vice Mayor Bonich:
Com missioner Call e:
Commiss ioner L iebman:
Comm iss io n e r Corey :
5-0
Yea
Yea
Yea
Yea
Yea
Agenda Item No:Fa.
City Commission Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: January 17, 2023
Submitted by: Nkenga Payne
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Item Type: Resolution
Agenda Section:
Subject:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING DAVID LAWRENCE, JR. AND DECLARING JANUARY 17, 2023 AS “ DAVID
LAWRENCE, JR DAY”. 3/5 (MAYOR FERNÀNDEZ)
Suggested Action:
Attachments:
45S8132-Resolution Approving Proclamation David Lawrence Jr. CAv2.DOC
Proclamation_David_Lawrence.docx
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PROCLAMATION
David Lawrence Jr.
WHEREAS,David Lawrence Jr. retired as publisher of the Miami Herald in 1999 to fully dedicate
himself to become Florida’s foremost advocate for early childhood development &
readiness.
WHEREAS,Mr. Lawrence is the founder & chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida, which has
elevated investment in early childhood learning as a top priority for the state of Florida.
WHEREAS,in 2002 and 2008 he led successful campaigns to establish and then make permanent
The Children’s Trust, a dedicated source of early intervention and prevention funding
for children in Miami-Dade.
WHEREAS,in 2002-2003 he chaired the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Protection, and in
2011 chaired a similar panel for the Department of Children and Families.
WHEREAS,in 2002, he was a key figure in passing a statewide constitutional amendment to
provide pre-K for all 4 year olds.
WHEREAS,Mr. Lawrence serves on the boards of numerous charitable & civic organizations
selflessly giving of his time and talent to improve the lives of individuals across our
community through such organizations.
WHEREAS,Mr. Lawrence, in addition to being an avid reader and published author, has mentored
countless individuals in our community whose own contributions have and continue to
enhance our community because of the sage wisdom and counsel he imparted.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Javier Fernández, Mayor, along with my colleagues of the City Commission: Vice Mayor
Lisa Bonich, Commissioners Josh Liebman, Steve Calle, and Brian Corey do hereby proclaim South Miami’s
recognition of David Lawrence, Jr. and honor Mr. Lawrence, Jr. for his exceptional accomplishments as an
advocate for our state’s children and mentor & counsel to so many of our state’s most distinguished leaders
by proclaiming January 17, 2023 as “David Lawrence, Jr. Day”.
SIGNED and the OFFICIAL SEAL of the
City of South Miami, Florida, affixed
hereto this 17th day of January 2023.
_____________________________________________________
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Javier E. Fernández, Mayor
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