2021-11-16 Proclamations eiL,4z.
f.m
H0N0RIN0IM7
THE LIFE OF "�"°1��'
1001 -in C)s(--,(-,,ola
' Join cis cis vie share the
success and legacy of
ti. one of the first great
Seminoles to attend and
graduate fronyi a public
school (Okeechobee) and
one of the first to receive
an athletic scholarship.
Joe Dar) ptayed football,
i
basketball and ran track
in high school.
` 3
Lsceola was the Tribe's
first president 52 years
ago, when he was Just 32.
That distinction also
made him the youngest
Tribal president on any
council throughout all of
Indian Country.
tir
gab fthmw. �r,� z
Office of the -
Mayor .
Okeechobee, Florida
i
WHEREAS, Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010 by American Express and officially co-
sponsored by the Small Business Administration since 2015. Small Business Saturday has become
an important part of how many small businesses launch their busiest shopping season;and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee believes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and
t the glue that holds communities together. According to the United States Small Business
Administration, as of 2020, there are currently 30.2 million small businesses in the United States.
They represent more than 99 percent of American companies, create two-thirds of the net new jobs,
and generate half of gross domestic product;and
WHEREAS, small businesses employ over 55% of the employees in the private sector in the United
States;and 89% of consumers in the United States believe it's important to support the local, small
businesses they value in their community; and they agree that locally owned, independent
businesses contribute positively through paying taxes and providing jobs;and
WHEREAS, advocacy groups and public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the
Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.
i
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the
City of Okeechobee, Florida, do hereby proclaim November 27, 2021 as "Small Business Saturday"
and urge all residents of our community to join with us in this observance as we celebrate the
accomplishments of small business owners and their employees and encourage the continued
development of new small businesses on this Saturday and throughout the year.
I
_ In witness whereof, on November 16,2021,I have
set my hand and caused this seal to be affixed
ALL IVWWNVP I A
3 a DowlingR. Vf7atford,fr.,-Mayor
i
01
Attest:
MC, City Cle
M' A
Office of the
Mayor
Okeechobee, Florida
WHEREAS, Florida farmers and ranchers help feed the world by producing a bounty of nutritious
foods. To do this, they rely on essential partnerships with urban and rural communities to supply,
sell and deliver finished products to consumers across Florida and around the globe;and
WHEREAS, rural and urban communities working together have built our nation's rich agricultural
resources so that they contribute to the health and well-being of our country and the strength of
our economy;and
WHEREAS, during National Farm City Week, we recognize the importance of this cooperative
network. Agriculture and related enterprises employ more than 2 million workers, including '
farmers and ranchers, shippers, processors, marketers, retailers, inspectors and others who
contribute an annual impact of$146 billion to Florida's economy;and
WHEREAS, Farm City Week activities celebrate the mutually beneficial relationships that support
the quality of life we all enjoy. This week, as we gather with family and friends around the
Thanksgiving table, we count these relationships among our many blessings.
t
t;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of
the City of Okeechobee, Florida, do hereby proclaim November 17-24, 2021 as "Farm City Week",
and I do further call upon all citizens to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of all those
who, working together, produce and supply our community, our nation, and the world with an
abundance of agricultural products.
1 In witness whereof, on November 16,2021, I have
set my hand and caused this seal to be affixed
1- Dowling R. Watford,Jr.,Mayor
Attest: i `" 60L o��
y - ane Gamiotea, CMC, City C
'- '►_--