THE BILL ITSELF
SR 1790
Tallahassee State College Day
Florida Senate - 2026 (NP) SR 1790 By Senator Simon 3-02373-26 20261790__
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Senate Resolution
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A resolution commending Tallahassee State College for
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its consistent excellence and ongoing commitment to
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student success and designating February 12, 2026, as
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“Tallahassee State College Day.”
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WHEREAS, Tallahassee State College, originally established
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in 1966 as Tallahassee Junior College and known as Tallahassee
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Community College from 1970 to 2024, was founded to provide
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access to high-quality education for the residents of Leon,
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Gadsden, and Wakulla Counties, and
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WHEREAS, now in its 60th year, Tallahassee State College
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remains steadfast in its mission to provide a learning
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environment that prepares students for success in a global
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economy by offering higher education pathways, workforce
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opportunities, and civic engagement, and
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WHEREAS, Tallahassee State College is a proud member of the
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esteemed Florida College System, also known as the “Great 28,”
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which has helped Florida earn the distinction of being the No. 1
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state for higher education every year since U.S. News & World
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Report began such a ranking in 2017, and
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WHEREAS, in 2025, Tallahassee State College welcomed more
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than 17,000 credit, noncredit, and continuing education
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students, with nearly 60 percent coming from outside the
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college’s service district, drawn by the strength of its more
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than 100 academic and workforce programs, and
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WHEREAS, Tallahassee State College is the leading transfer
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institution to Florida State University and Florida Agricultural
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and Mechanical University, helping thousands of students
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successfully continue their education and complete bachelor’s
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degrees, and
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WHEREAS, Tallahassee State College was recognized as the
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No. 1 Best Value College in Florida and No. 2 Best Value College
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in the United States by Research.com in its 2026 rankings,
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reflecting the college’s strategic commitment to access and
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affordability, and
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WHEREAS, Tallahassee State College is celebrating the 50th
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anniversary of its dental programs, which have helped educate
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and prepare generations of oral health professionals in the
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region and state, and
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WHEREAS, in partnership with the Florida Dental
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Association, Tallahassee State College launched the Restorative
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Functions for Dental Auxiliaries Certification Program, and the
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college’s dental hygiene program has been designated as an
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official American Board of Dental Examiners testing site for the
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dental hygiene licensure exam, and
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WHEREAS, Tallahassee State College was named the 2025
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Entrepreneurial College of the Year by the National Association
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of Community College Entrepreneurship, recognizing the college’s
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leadership in innovation, community partnerships, and efforts to
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foster entrepreneurial thinking, and
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WHEREAS, Tallahassee State College serves as a powerful
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economic engine for the region, generating an estimated $296.5
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million in annual economic impact, and supports 1 out of every
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64 local jobs across the region, NOW, THEREFORE,
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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
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That February 12, 2026, is designated as “Tallahassee State
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College Day” in commendation of its consistent excellence and
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ongoing commitment to student success.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
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the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Dr. Jim
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Murdaugh, the sixth President of Tallahassee State College, as a
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tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.