Attorney General: Florida can stand for fairness by learning from past leaders

Florida can stand for fairness by learning from past leaders

The 2003 legislative session is under way with budget matters dominating the talk around the Capitol and within the media. Despite this, there are other meaningful matters being discussed, including legislation that I have proposed to strengthen Florida’s civil rights laws. I am pleased to be working with primary sponsors Sen. Alex Villalobos and Rep. Jeff Kottkamp, and several co-sponsors in each chamber, to see this essential legislation enacted.

Florida currently has a civil rights law, but it does not enable the attorney general to pursue remedies for those who are victims of a practice or a pattern of discrimination. Former Attorney General Butterworth, to his credit, developed a strategy that used economic crimes statutes to seek justice, but it should not have been that difficult.

What we seek is authority similar to that of the federal government to initiate civil rights actions when necessary. To the best of our knowledge, these occur rather infrequently compared to the past, but when those outrages do occur, Florida should be able to take action.

The time is now to take the next step, but it is instructive to look back on our state's first steps in this area. A sports legend sets the stage.

It is well known that Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in major league baseball when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers for the 1947 season. An equally compelling, but little told, story is his drive across Florida on his way to spring training in Daytona Beach.

The bigotry and hostility he and wife Rachel faced during that drive is an ugly part of Florida history. They were derided and denied service at establishments. Worse, they faced threats of physical violence. It is still difficult to believe that such a segregated society existed in America, let alone our state.

Was there a turning point in Florida history? A watershed event occurred in 1957 as the federal government was beginning to enforce court decisions requiring integration. While history correctly credits Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey for displaying the courage to buck the system and sign an African-American player, Florida had its own man of courage and vision.

His name was LeRoy Collins, and as Governor of Florida he was more than willing to stand up for all of Florida’s citizens.

Florida’s leaders were not willing partners in the federal government’s efforts to integrate. A document called a Resolution of Interposition, which asserted the rights of states to defy federal integration mandates, was drafted by the Legislature.

A governor cannot sign or veto a resolution, but this is what Gov. Collins wrote on the bottom of the document when it was presented to him:

“I take this means to advise the student of government who may examine this document in the archives of this state, that the Governor of Florida expressed open and vigorous opposition thereto.

Not only will I not condone “Interposition” as so many have sought for me to do, I decry it as an evil thing, whipped up by demagogues and carried on the hot and erratic winds of passion, prejudice, and hysteria.

If history judges me right, I want it known that I did my best to avert this blot. If I am judged wrong, then here, in my own handwriting and over my signature, is the proof of guilt to support my conviction.”

Governor Collins later said he wrote this message to say to future generations: “This is where I stood.” For his work in the area of civil rights, he became one of Florida's most important governors and, in the eyes of many, our greatest governor. How much longer would progress have been delayed without his courageous leadership?

In 2003, it is again time to demonstrate where we stand. Both the Senate and House Judiciary Committees have unanimously approved this important legislation. If we can keep the spirit of bipartisan cooperation alive, we will all have something for which to be proud: civil rights legislation that better protects the rights of all Floridians.