THE BILL ITSELF
HR 8119
Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County 80th Anniversary
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House Resolution
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A resolution congratulating the Juvenile Welfare Board
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of Pinellas County on the occasion of its 80th
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anniversary.
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WHEREAS, in the early 1940s, few alternatives existed for
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troubled and dependent children in Pinellas County other than
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adult jail, a need recognized and championed by Juvenile Court
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Judge Lincoln Bogue, and
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WHEREAS, Attorney Leonard Cooperman drafted legislation,
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supported by the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation, to
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create an independent special taxing district governed by an
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autonomous board to guard the rights and needs of children, and
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WHEREAS, Senator Henry Baynard sponsored Senate Bill 618,
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which was passed by the Senate on May 21, 1945, and
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WHEREAS, the bill was sponsored by Representative S. Henry
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Harris in the House Chamber, where it was passed on May 24,
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1945, and
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WHEREAS, on November 5, 1946, Pinellas County citizens
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ratified the Juvenile Welfare Board Act, creating the nation's
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first independent board dedicated to improving the lives and
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futures of children, and
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WHEREAS, in 1947, the Juvenile Welfare Board, chaired by
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Mailande Holland Barton, adopted its first budget, distributing
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funds to three agencies that served about 1,500 children, and
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WHEREAS, last year, the Juvenile Welfare Board served
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83,622 children through investments in 98 quality programs with
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51 agencies that provided prevention and early intervention
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services for the life of the child, from cradle to career, and
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WHEREAS, the Juvenile Welfare Board also serves as a
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convener, forging partnerships and leading initiatives to
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prevent needless childhood deaths, nurture early childhood
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development, champion children's mental health, promote grade-
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level reading, and fight childhood hunger, NOW, THEREFORE,
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Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
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Florida:
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That the House of Representatives expresses its
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congratulations to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County
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for 80 years of putting children first and for its commendable
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service to the residents of Pinellas County and Florida.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
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presented to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County as a
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tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein.