Chairman’s Message

The Surfside tragedy is bringing out the best in Floridians during a time of terrible pain and loss as the greater Miami community is coming together to support those grieving.

We are grateful for the firefighters, first responders and search and rescue teams that have been working so faithfully in the recovery efforts beginning immediately after the condo collapse. And we’re thankful for the medical personnel that jumped into action to treat the injured.

We continue to pray for the survivors, for the loved ones, for all of the emergency workers and for the grieving community.

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Winning the fight for American civic education against totalitarianism 

Governor DeSantis signed three bills into law that will strengthen civics education from kindergarten to colleges in Florida and require Florida colleges and universities to conduct an annual assessment of viewpoint diversity. 

“The sad reality is that only two in five Americans can correctly name the three branches of government, and more than a third of Americans cannot name any of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment,” Governor DeSantis said in signing the legislation. “It is abundantly clear that we need to do a much better job of educating our students in civics to prepare them for the rest of their lives.”

The legislation requires the Florida Department of Education to create an integrated K-12 civic education curriculum that includes an understanding of citizens' shared rights and responsibilities under the Constitution and Bill of Rights. It further expands required instruction in high school to include a comparative discussion of political ideologies such as communism and totalitarianism that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy essential to the founding principles of the United States.

“As a daughter and granddaughter of Cuban refugees, my family knows firsthand the dangers of Communism and the fatal consequences of totalitarian regimes,” said Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez. “May this bill serve as a tool to assure history doesn’t repeat itself in our great nation.”

The legislation also requires Florida colleges and universities to conduct annual assessments of the viewpoint diversity and intellectual freedom at their institutions to ensure that Florida’s postsecondary students will be shown diverse ideas and opinions, including those that they may disagree with or find uncomfortable.

Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2021/06/22/governor-ron-desantis-signs-legislation-to-set-the-pace-for-civics-education-in-america/

Legislation

Florida 9th and 11th grade students will soon be learning basic training in first aid, including CPR, which when started immediately, can triple a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. 

Governor DeSantis this week signed HB 157, a bill passed with unanimous votes in the House and Senate. Under the new law, school districts will be required to provide one hour of “basic training in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” to all students in 9th and 11th grades. School districts also will be “encouraged” to begin giving basic first-aid and CPR training to students in 6th and 8th grades. 

Read more: https://weartv.com/news/local/desantis-signs-bill-requiring-all-florida-high-schoolers-to-learn-cpr

Governor DeSantis joined members of Florida’s law enforcement community and the Florida Legislature to support law enforcement canines injured in the line of duty by signing Senate Bill 388.

“Law enforcement K-9s are often the first to put their lives on the line as they work to apprehend dangerous or armed suspects in high-intensity situations,” the Governor said. 

When a law enforcement canine is injured while safeguarding our communities, this bill authorizes emergency service vehicles to transport police canines to a veterinary clinic to ensure they receive prompt care if there are no individuals requiring medical attention or transport at that time.

Florida Update

The federal district court in Tampa delivered a major victory for freedom and Governor DeSantis against the CDC’s obstructionist No Sail Orders that have flatlined Florida’s cruise industry for more than a year.  

Ruling in favor of Florida’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Judge Stephen Merryday concluded the CDC’s restrictions are likely unconstitutional and overstepping their legal authority. The cruise industry will soon be permitted to set sail again thanks to the lawsuit brought by Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody.  

The state fought on behalf of the Florida cruise industry to secure the ability to resume operations without overly burdensome requirements that discriminate against children, leave most of the ships sitting in port, and disregard the freedom of Floridians to make decisions for their families.

Beginning July 18, the CDC’s orders will become mere “guidance,” and cruise ships will hit the open waters once again free from the CDC. As Florida continues to thrive while open for business, the return of the cruise industry marks an important milestone in the fight for freedom.

 “The CDC has been wrong all along, and they knew it,” Governor DeSantis said. “The CDC and the Biden Administration concocted a plan to sink the cruise industry, hiding behind bureaucratic delay and lawsuits. Today, we are securing this victory for Florida families, for the cruise industry, and for every state that wants to preserve its rights in the face of unprecedented federal overreach.”

Read more: https://www.flgov.com/2021/06/18/governor-desantis-wins-major-victory-to-protect-floridas-cruise-industry/

ICYMI

RNC statement by Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in honor of Juneteenth:

 “Today, we join all Americans in celebrating Juneteenth, a joyful and momentous day commemorating the end of slavery in our country. 

"Although Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, it wasn’t until this day in 1865 that Union General Gordon Granger was able to get to Galveston, Texas to let those remaining enslaved Americans know the Civil War was over and all slaves were free.

“The Republican Party will always be proudly connected to Juneteenth because of President Lincoln’s leadership and we enthusiastically welcome its adoption as our newest national holiday after President Trump called for it last year. Mindful of the special importance Juneteenth has for Black Americans, it should also be a source of pride for Republicans and every American. The RNC will continue our efforts to expand engagement with the Black community because our party remains the party of freedom and opportunity. 

“On Juneteenth we vow to never forget the evils of slavery while we continue the work of perfecting our Union. Our new federal holiday is a reminder of what we can achieve when we appeal to our nation’s highest ideals and come together as Americans.”

Watch the RNC's Juneteenth Video from Paris Dennard, RNC National Spokesperson and Director of Black Media Affairs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qRIQgGnLUA&ab_channel=RNCMediaAffairs

Social Media Highlights

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