MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BUSH
This week, we received some encouraging news from the One Florida Accountability Commission, which has been studying the effects of our One Florida Initiative. The Commission's report revealed that more minority students are preparing to enter college by taking AP courses and the PSAT. The number of minority students enrolled in the State University System has likewise increased. On the contracting side, minority business spending is up over 100 percent in just two years. It is a pleasure for me to note that the majority of that success occurred in agencies directly accountable to the Executive Office of the Governor. As the One Florida policies have shown, attaining diversity need not rely on questionable constitutional set-aside or preference programs. Yet we should not rest on this success, but continue to strive to open more doors of opportunity to all of Florida's citizens.
On Tuesday, I announced winners of grants from the Governor's Family Literacy Initiative. This year, fifteen public and private non-profit education and community organizations will receive grants totaling more than $700,000. The winning grant recipients are a diverse blend of community- and school-based programs. They are all dedicated to helping families understand that home is a child's first school, and the parent is the child's first teacher.
On Monday, I joined a group of veterans and local and state officials in Port Charlotte to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for Florida's fifth and newest state Veterans' Nursing Home. The home is just one more way for us to honor the bravery and faithful service of our veterans, who risked their lives for their country. The late Doug Jacobsen, in whose honor the nursing home will be named, is one example of American heroism at its best. A Marine Corps Major, Jacobsen received a Medal of Honor for his valiant conduct at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.
Also on Monday in Tampa, I announced that Florida's ports won new grants from the federal government to continue to improve seaport security. With an annual total of $47.6 billion in waterborne trade, our seaports are valuable assets to Florida's economy, but they are also inviting targets for terrorists. The $19.7 million in grants we received -- out of $92.3 million nationwide -- makes Florida the single largest state recipient. The six ports that won grants are Tampa, Miami-Dade, Port Everglades, Key West, Canaveral, and Jacksonville. The grants will upgrade physical access, automated access control, and video surveillance. As always, Florida's domestic security remains a priority, and it is my hope and expectation that as a result of these efforts, Florida's ports will be made more secure against potential terrorist attacks.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Sincerely, Jeb Bush
NOTICE!!! NOTICE!!! NOTICE!!!
Please join Governor Jeb Bush and members of the Florida Cabinet as they declare the City of Miami "CAPITAL FOR A DAY" on Tuesday, June 25, 2002. A Cabinet meeting will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers located in Miami City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive; 305-416-1440). A State Agency Fair will be held at the Coconut Grove Convention Center (2700 South Bayshore Drive; 305-416-1440) from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Over 50 state agencies will have booths setup offering information and services. A free lunch will be served at the agency fair starting at noon. We hope you can join us as we bring Florida's government closer to the people it serves!
RELIEF FROM HIGH TIDES
The Florida Division of Emergency Management will receive a $4.7 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to build an emergency high volume pump station north of the Miami International Airport. Once completed, the pump station will reduce flooding for communities along the C-6 Canal drainage basin. This pumping station, similar to the one being built for the C-4 Canal, will remove more than a quarter of a million gallons of water per minute during periods of high tide. Communities in the basin, including Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami Springs, and Virginia Gardens, have experienced long periods of flooding when excess rain water does not drain away. The money to build the pump comes from FEMA's Hazards Mitigation Grant Program designed to help state and local governments take action to prevent or reduce the adverse impacts of future disasters. The program's goal is to reduce the loss of life, property and goods due to natural disasters.
JUST READ, FLORIDA!
Applications for Just Read, Florida! grants are being sent to school district superintendents across the state as of Wednesday, June 19. School districts can compete for a portion of the $11 million available through Just Read, Florida! to implement a Reading Coach Model program. Applications are due to the Florida Department of Education by July 15. Grants will be awarded to the districts by August 15 to implement programs for the 2002-2003 school year. Applications for Just Read, Florida! grants must be submitted by school districts on behalf of their schools. Priority will be given to those districts applying for schools receiving an "F" letter grade for the 2002 school year and for schools eligible for Reading First federal funds. The grants will provide resources to districts to hire reading coaches for elementary, middle and high schools with low-performing students. Coaches will serve as a stable resource for professional development, progress monitoring, and student data analysis leading to improvements in reading instruction and achievement. In addition to the $11 million in state grants, Florida anticipates receiving $45.6 million in federal funds to help reach the goal that every child read at or above grade level by 2012. Just Read, Florida! prioritizes reading in Florida's public schools and among all the community groups and volunteer organizations that support them. It is based on the latest reading research that includes emphasis on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
Please visit the Governor's Just Read Website
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PRESS RELEASES
Governor Bush Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony for Florida's Newest State Veterans' Home
Governor Bush Applauds $19.7 Million Grant for Florida's Seaport Security
Statement by Governor Jeb Bush Regarding the One Florida Accountability Commission Report on Equity in Education and Contracting
Governor Bush Announces $4.7 Million Grant to Build Pump Station Near Miami International Airport
Governor Bush Announces Florida's Selection to Elite Literacy Program at Harvard University
Governor Bush Announces Family Literacy Award Winners
Governor Bush Testifies on Proposed Regulations of International Visitors at Congressional Hearing
Testimony of Governor Jeb Bush to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business
Governor Bush Opens Just Read, Florida! Grant Application Process
Governor Bush Awards Rural Grant to Assist Taylor County with Coastal Wastewater Treatment Facility
Governor Bush Congratulates Miami Resident Voted to Serve National Directors Guild of America Council
Appointments Made by Governor Jeb Bush for the Week of June 21, 2002
To view these and other press releases, please go to the Governor's Press Release Website.
NEWSPAPER CLIPS OF INTEREST 1. Governor Rallies Around Vet's Outlawed Flagpole -Tampa Tribune 6/16 http://tampatrib.com/floridametronews/MGAW6PXGI2D.html
2. Governor Announces Federal Grant to Upgrade Port Security-Naples Daily News 6/18 http://www.naplesnews.com/02/06/florida/d781404a.htm
3. Gov. Bush Attends Groundbreaking-Sarasota Herald Tribune 6/18 http://www.newscoast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=SH&Date=20020618&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=206180418&Ref=AR&SectionCat=FRONTPAGE
4. Bush's One Florida Praised-Tallahassee Democrat 6/18 http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/3490611.htm
5. Governor to Promote NAP of Americas-South Florida Business Journal 6/19 http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2002/06/17/daily34.html
6. Bush - Appointed Group Examines Adding Guardians for Abused Kids-Naples Daily News 6/20 http://www.naplesnews.com/02/06/florida/d794845a.htm
7. Grant Enables 10 Families to Pursue Literacy Together-Pensacola News Journal 6/20 http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/news/062002/Neighbors/ST002.shtml
GOVERNOR'S POINTS OF LIGHT AWARD
On September 11, 2001 12-year-old Andrea Herbin was devastated when she learned about all the children who had suddenly lost one or both of their parents during the tragic events of that day. "On September 11, I turned to my own teddy bear for comfort," said Herbin. "It was then I knew what I had to do." She formed Children in Action, a volunteer organization made up of children who help other children around the world in times of grief, famine, tragedy or other troubles. She started recruiting volunteers at her school, and with the help of her principal and several teachers, distributed flyers asking for teddy bear donations to be sent to the victims' children. Soon after, more teddy bears flowed in from Floridians of all walks of life, from prisoners to grandmothers. Local businesses cleared their inventory of bears for Herbin's cause. Her efforts resulted in a donation of over 3,800 teddy bears. They were delivered on September 18, 2001, to New York firefighter families and others affected by the tragedies. Andrea Herbin is this week's Points of Light winner. Congratulations! **** I omitted the Governor's Weekly Schedule. It is already outlined above that he will be in Miami. Please cut me some slack if the urls don't work - I just copied and pasted them. A very busy, FV.