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Great Floridian Great Floridian is a title bestowed upon citizens in the state of Florida by the Florida Department of State. There were actually two formal programs. The Great Floridian 2000 program honored deceased individuals who made "significant contribution ...

is a title bestowed upon notable citizens in the state of

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

by the ''Florida Department of State''. There were two formal programs.

Great Floridians 2000

The Florida Department of State and the Florida League of Cities created the program in 1998 to help celebrate the approaching end of the

millennium A millennium (plural millennia or millenniums) is a period of one thousand years, sometimes called a kiloannum (ka), or kiloyear (ky). Normally, the word is used specifically for periods of a thousand years that begin at the starting point (ini ...

. The process dedicated a special series of commemorative panels in cities throughout the state recognizing deceased individuals who made significant contributions to the history and culture of Florida. A total of 385 persons were honored.

Great Floridians Program

In 2007, the legislature resurrected, revised and formalized Great Floridians in

Florida law The law of Florida consists of several levels, including constitutional, statutory, and regulatory law, as well as case law and local law. The '' Florida Statutes'' form the general statutory law of Florida. Sources The Constitution of Florida ...

as Florida Statute 267.0731. A defined committee consisting of the top members of the

Executive Executive ( exe., exec., execu.) may refer to: Role or title * Executive, a senior management role in an organization ** Chief executive officer (CEO), one of the highest-ranking corporate officers (executives) or administrators ** Executive dir ...

and

Legislative A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government. Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known ...

branches of government meets each year to nominate citizens for designation. The

Florida Secretary of State The Secretary of State of Florida is an executive officer of the state government of the U.S. state of Florida, established since the original 1838 state constitution. Like the corresponding officials in other states, the original charge of the ...

then selects at least two nominees for the honor. As of 2011, 58 people had been included. Governor Rick Scott added 22 names in 2013, including former

Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member team of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team p ...

Coach Don Shula, former

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida, traces its origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its ...

Gators football player and coach Steve Spurrier, 2012 Masters golf champion Bubba Watson Jr., former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice

Richard Ervin Richard William Ervin Jr. (born Richard Reehorse Ervin, January 26, 1905 – August 24, 2004) was the Florida Attorney General from 1949 to 1964 and served as chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court from 1969 to 1971. He is credited with guid ...

, and Dr. Pedro Jose Greer Jr., an advocate for homeless and the disadvantaged in Miami, as well as Betty Sembler of St. Petersburg, who championed drug treatment efforts, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach

Tony Dungy Anthony Kevin Dungy ( ; born October 6, 1955) is an American former football safety and coach who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. Dungy's teams be ...

, General

Norman Schwarzkopf Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. (; August 22, 1934 – December 27, 2012) was a United States Army general. While serving as the commander of United States Central Command, he led all coalition forces in the Gulf War. Born in Trenton, N ...

, who led U.S. forces in Iraq, former state agriculture commissioner Charles H. Bronson, former state treasurer

Bill Gunter William Dawson Gunter Jr. (born July 16, 1934) is an American politician from the state of Florida. Early life and education Gunter was born in Jacksonville in 1934. He attended public schools in Live Oak and received his Bachelor of Science i ...

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney (; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film p ...

, Patrick D. Smith, agricultural leader Ruth Springer Wedgworth, former Buccaneers linebacker

Derrick Brooks Derrick Dewan Brooks (born April 18, 1973) is an American former football outside linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brooks played college football at Florida State, wh ...

, Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, former Florida Supreme Court Justice

Alto L. Adams Alto Lee Adams Sr. (January 31, 1899 – February 20, 1988) was an American judge. He was a justice for the Florida Supreme Court between 1940 and 1951. From 1949 to 1951 Adams served as chief justice. Biography Born and reared in Walton Co ...

, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, retired General Craig McKinley, clothing designer

Lilly Pulitzer Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau (November 10, 1931 – April 7, 2013) was an American entrepreneur, fashion designer, and socialite. She founded Lilly Pulitzer, Inc., which produces floral print clothing and other wares. Career Lilly and husband H ...

, entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga, and James Robert Cade, an American physician, university professor, research scientist, and inventor who led research efforts that developed Gatorade.

Great Floridians Program

(on-going)

Great Floridians 2000 (program ended in 2000)

References

{{Reflist

External links

Florida Division of Historical Resources: Great Floridians 2000 ProgramGreat Floridian Program

Great Floridians Great Floridian is a title bestowed upon citizens in the state of Florida by the Florida Department of State. There were actually two formal programs. The Great Floridian 2000 program honored deceased individuals who made "significant contribution ...