Message From Governor Bush, Volume 5, Issue 41

MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BUSH

This week we concluded Florida's first Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the many contributions of our Hispanic community to our history and our culture. Over the last 30 days we have highlighted the influence of Hispanic artists, leaders, and innovators.

Wednesday provided a strong finish to the celebration as we announced the winners of Florida's first Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest. More than 4,000 Florida students submitted essays describing the important role their Hispanic families have played in their education, particularly reading. Our judges selected three winners, from elementary, middle, and high school. Each winner receives a Prepaid scholarship as well as a Hewlett Packard computer.

Thursday was an historic day for Florida and for all who value our environmental treasures. We broke ground on the first construction project for the state and federal partnership to restore the River of Grass-seven years ahead of schedule, which means millions of dollars under budget. This is the first step in a long term project to remove 300 miles of roads, and fill in seven miles of canals, to restore thousands of acres of land zoned for subdivision back to its natural condition of 100 years ago. This is the largest environmental restoration in the history of the world. It will restore and preserve the habitat for more than 60 endangered species as well as replenish underground water supplies that provide drinking water to millions of Floridians. Florida has committed more than $2.5 billion through the end of the decade to clean up pollution in the Everglades and restore a more natural flow of water. We now have more than 80% of the land needed to start restoration and almost half the land needed to complete the 30-year project. Last week, we completed the donation of more than 42,000 acres of state-owned land to expand the Everglades National Park, an effort my father started than a decade ago. Florida is committed to the future of the Everglades, honoring our promises, and protecting the natural treasures in our state. Next week, the Florida Legislature will convene in Tallahassee for a Special Session to consider the Scripps Florida economic development proposal. Monday I will provide testimony to a joint session of the House and Senate regarding the opportunity this project presents for Florida and the people who live and work here. Key members of the Scripps leadership team will also provide their comments about the future of biotech in Florida. I encourage you to watch the events of this pivotal moment in our history via live web-cast on www.myflorida.com. The web-cast will begin at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 20.

Thank you for your continued support.

Volume 5, Issue 41 Friday, October 17, 2003