Florida Senate Bill S0804

Florida 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/25
• Refer: 2/28/25
• Failed: 6/16/25

Caption

Designation of the Official State Flagship

Summary

Bill S0804 proposes to redesignate the official state flagship of Florida as the S.S. American Victory, a historic steamship built in 1944. The S.S. American Victory has a rich history, having served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and currently operates as an interactive maritime museum in Tampa. The bill highlights the ship's significance in American history and its role in supporting military efforts and community engagement throughout its operational history.

Impact

The passage of this bill will officially change the designation of Florida's state flagship from the schooner Western Union to the S.S. American Victory, thus recognizing the latter's historical and educational contributions to the state. This change may enhance tourism and educational opportunities in Florida, particularly in the Tampa area, and could lead to increased support for military-related initiatives and community programs associated with the ship.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding Bill S0804 appears to be largely positive, as indicated by the voting results from the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability committee, where it received 6 votes in favor and only 1 against. Supporters emphasize the historical importance of the S.S. American Victory and its contributions to military history and education.

Contention

While there is strong support for the bill, the dissenting vote may reflect concerns about the implications of changing the state flagship designation, particularly regarding the historical significance of the previous flagship, the schooner Western Union. However, specific points of contention from the opposing side were not detailed in the available committee discussions or voting records.