FL H9111

Recognizes 2015 as "Victory Florida Year" to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe (May 8, 1945) and the Pacific (August 14, 1945)

Over 250,000 Floridians served among the more than 16 million Americans during the war, with additional state residents contributing through agriculture, innovation, and tourism services

World War II transformed Florida from the 29th-most populous state in 1940 to the 3rd-most populous state today, setting the stage for rapid modernization and economic development

Military bases were converted to civilian airports, Cape Canaveral became a space program site, and the GI Bill supported expansion of Florida's higher education system after the war

Urges all state citizens, counties, cities, businesses, churches, museums, and veterans' organizations to remember the 70th anniversary and the contributions of Florida and its servicemembers