It does seem time to add politics to this discussion. In 6 months the State Archives and State Library may be gone. These institutions of Florida State government date back to before Florida's becoming a State. I agree with Richard White. There is another letter by Pam Cooper, Florida State Genealogical Society President, which has been sent to local genealogical societies that details the proposed destruction of these institutions. I hope she posts it to this list. The St. Petersburg Times, the Tallahassee Democrat, and the Orlando Sentinel have also raised this issue as well in very political terms. St. Petersburg Times: http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/22/State/Bush__Tough_times__to.shtml http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/25/Columns/Library_is_a_characte.shtml Tallahassee Democrat: http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/5018483.htm Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-loclibrary25012503jan25.story I suggest that the people of this list inform themselves of what is proposed and then singly write to their State Representative and State Senator. The people on this list all have internet access and all of the legislators have web pages and email. Tell your legislators what you think about this issue (obviously don't threaten beyond your next vote) and ask them what they plan to do. Florida State Legislature: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ If you want to sign petitions, don't let that stop you from writing your legislators directly. Bring up the issue at meetings of your local genealogical and historical societies and suggest action. What the Governor has done is still just a proposal. The legislature need to act on it. Thomas D. Santa Cruz Pasco County, Florida

Thanks Tom for posting the Legislative web site. I would also recommend sending letters and e-mails to Governor Bush. [email protected] The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Telephone: (850) 488-4441 or FAX (850) 487-0801 I noticed that there are different emails and address for the Governor. Send to both if in doubt. <G> -------Original Message------- From: Tom Date: Sunday, January 26, 2003 11:56:39 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Oblivion of Florida's History It does seem time to add politics to this discussion. In 6 months the State Archives and State Library may be gone. These institutions of Florida State government date back to before Florida's becoming a State. I agree with Richard White. There is another letter by Pam Cooper, Florida State Genealogical Society President, which has been sent to local genealogical societies that details the proposed destruction of these institutions. I hope she posts it to this list. The St. Petersburg Times, the Tallahassee Democrat, and the Orlando Sentinel have also raised this issue as well in very political terms. St. Petersburg Times: http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/22/State/Bush__Tough_times__to.shtml http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/25/Columns/Library_is_a_characte.shtml Tallahassee Democrat: http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/5018483.htm Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-loclibrary25012503jan25 story I suggest that the people of this list inform themselves of what is proposed and then singly write to their State Representative and State Senator. The people on this list all have internet access and all of the legislators have web pages and email. Tell your legislators what you think about this issue (obviously don't threaten beyond your next vote) and ask them what they plan to do. Florida State Legislature: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ If you want to sign petitions, don't let that stop you from writing your legislators directly. Bring up the issue at meetings of your local genealogical and historical societies and suggest action. What the Governor has done is still just a proposal. The legislature need to act on it. Thomas D. Santa Cruz Pasco County, Florida .

Tom is right. You must call or write. I have been in touch with quite a few congress people lately, and it is very hard for them. Many may agree with us, but they face possible recrimination such as losing party chairperson positions. Rep. Murman was just forced to share a chairman post instead of being full chairman. She voted against the wishes of the house leadership and with her conscience. I have had a couple of others agree that this could happen to them as well. Only 1/3 are of another party in the legislature, so we must appeal to them to vote their conscience in spite of consequences. Most truly care, but they have to know the people feel very strongly about this. www.congress.org is an easy way to reach them by email or get the phone number. You can also reach their websites from the site. Sydney Cardner Lakeland, Florida ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 11:50 AM Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Oblivion of Florida's History > It does seem time to add politics to this discussion. In 6 months the > State Archives and State Library may be gone. These institutions of > Florida State government date back to before Florida's becoming a State. > > I agree with Richard White. There is another letter by Pam Cooper, > Florida State Genealogical Society President, which has been sent to > local genealogical societies that details the proposed destruction of > these institutions. I hope she posts it to this list. The St. > Petersburg Times, the Tallahassee Democrat, and the Orlando Sentinel > have also raised this issue as well in very political terms. > > St. Petersburg Times: > http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/22/State/Bush__Tough_times__to.shtml > http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/25/Columns/Library_is_a_characte.shtml > Tallahassee Democrat: > http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/5018483.htm > Orlando Sentinel: > http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-loclibrary25012503jan25. story > > I suggest that the people of this list inform themselves of what is > proposed and then singly write to their State Representative and State > Senator. The people on this list all have internet access and all of > the legislators have web pages and email. Tell your legislators what > you think about this issue (obviously don't threaten beyond your next > vote) and ask them what they plan to do. > > Florida State Legislature: > http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ > > If you want to sign petitions, don't let that stop you from writing your > legislators directly. > > Bring up the issue at meetings of your local genealogical and historical > societies and suggest action. > > What the Governor has done is still just a proposal. > The legislature need to act on it. > > Thomas D. Santa Cruz > Pasco County, Florida > >