FL H9099

Designates May 1, 2012, as "French Day in Honor of Jean Ribault" in Florida to commemorate 450 years of French presence in the state.

Recognizes Jean Ribault's first French sailing expedition on April 30, 1562, which arrived at the mouth of the St. Johns River (originally named River May) on Florida's North Coast.

Honors the establishment of La Caroline on June 22, 1564, the first French settlement in present-day United States, founded in what is now Jacksonville for individual and religious freedom.

Acknowledges ongoing France-Florida relations including 20 city and county partnership agreements, more than 50 university partnerships, 30,000 French permanent residents, 300,000+ annual French visitors, and numerous French businesses operating in the state.