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Greetings,
On June 12, 2018, our community came together in unity with the
onePulse Foundation to mark the two-year commemoration of the Pulse nightclub tragedy for Pulse Remembrance Week and
Orlando United Day.
As we continue to heal and demonstrate our extraordinary culture of care and compassion, I encourage all of us to remember the Pulse tragedy, the 49 innocent lives lost, their families and friends, as well as those who were physically injured and who bear the deep emotional scars of survival. We also acknowledge Pulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma, the LGBTQ, LatinX and Hispanic communities and commend the Heart of Florida United Way, the City of Orlando and our Orange County team in opening the Orlando United Assistance Center, which remains open today.
In support of our extraordinary culture of care and compassion, and in remembrance of the
Pulse victims, their families and survivors
,
I joined employees in front of the Orange County Administration Building for a respectful moment of silence at noon on June 12 following the worldwide
49 Bells Movement
with the First United Methodist Church of Orlando and other churches in our region. At that time, church bells around the world tolled 49 times in unison to honor the lives of those taken and to show compassion for all who were impacted by the Pulse tragedy.
Later that evening, Orange County and the City of Orlando came together to present a joint proclamation for
Orlando United Day at the Annual Remembrance Ceremony held at the Pulse Interim Memorial.
In addition to
artwork dedicated to honoring the memory of the 49 in the atrium of Orange County's Administration Building, on the exterior of the building we also featured the iconic Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag, a globally recognized symbol of the LGBTQ movement. T
he original rainbow flag was designed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. Section 93 of the original Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag, was first displayed in
Orange County on June 17, 2016.
In the days following the Pulse tragedy in 2016, the
Orange County Regional History Center
worked on an immediate short-term response to the tragedy, which was later formally named the
One Orlando Collection Initiative
.
The Orange County Regional History Center's new exhibit to mark the two-year commemoration is titled,
Another Year Passes: Orlando After the Pulse Nightclub Massacre
.
The special, limited-run exhibition will continue through the summer and end on October 14, 2018. These extraordinary items - hand made with love and in grief - are an extremely important part of the story we want to share with the community and the generations to come.
Nothing can ever erase the pain caused as a result of the Pulse tragedy. Yet, as dark and devastating as June 12 was, my spirit continues to be lifted and inspired by the strength, unity, kindness and love that poured forth from all parts of our community. Orange County and Orlando remain strong and resilient, and we will forever remember the 49 precious souls we lost.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor
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In Remembrance of Ron Plummer
We remain heartbroken by the sudden death of Ron Plummer, our Orange County Manager of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), who died on Thursday, June 14, 2018, surrounded by family and close friends. So many people knew and loved Ron. From OEM colleagues throughout the region, state and nation, to our own citizens - including countless Hurricane Expo attendees and Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) members - Ron had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of many.
For more than 16 years, Ron shepherded us through countless emergency events and critical incidents. He was truly the right man for the job, and never lost sight of his core mission: to care for people. From day-to-day interaction with co-workers to his deeply compassionate actions and leadership in support of storm-weary victims, special-needs shelter residents and others in need, Ron set an example of selfless giving. He was incredibly genuine in extending the hand of friendship and goodwill to all. While we knew him as the consummate professional leader, his family knew him as a treasured husband, a devoted father, a proud and caring son and loving brother.
Following 27 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army and United States Marine Corps, where Ron achieved the rank of Master Sergeant, he returned to his native state of Florida, and joined Orange County in 2002. A graduate of Columbia College, with numerous local, State and FEMA/EMI earned certificates, Ron was widely acknowledged for his expert capability as an emergency management leader. Please join me in sending prayers and sincere condolences to his family, in the shared hope that they may find peace and solace in our joyful remembrance of Ron.
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Orange County Regional History Center Opens New Pulse Exhibit and Aids Other Communities in Tragedy
The Orange County Regional History Center, honored nationally for its curation efforts in response to the Pulse nightclub tragedy, is presenting a new exhibit to mark the two-year commemoration of the mass shooting that took place in Orlando on June 12, 2016.
Another Year Passes: Orlando After the Pulse Nightclub Massacre is a special, limited-run exhibition featuring more than 150 images and 600 artifacts from the One Orlando Collection, an initiative begun in 2016 to collect and preserve the memorials and memory of the tragedy. The exhibit opened on Saturday, June 2, 2018 and will continue through the summer, ending on October 14, 2018.
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Central Florida Honors Fallen Heroes at 36th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony
On the evening of May 3, the Central Florida community gathered in the courtyard of the Orange County Courthouse to honor the lives and legacies of the region's fallen law enforcement officers. The annual ceremony also paid tribute to those officers who have suffered a serious injury, who died of natural causes and those brave men and women who currently serve the community.
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Mayor Jacobs Celebrates Dedication of the John C. Hitt Partnership Complex and Provides Commencement Address at UCF
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined leadership from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and community partners to honor the legacy of President John C. Hitt and to celebrate the dedication of the new Partnership Complex that carries his namesake.
The John C. Hitt Partnership Complex
not only serves as a hub for university research and partners, but also recognizes the visionary leadership of Dr. Hitt, UCF's fourth president. Shortly after, Mayor Jacobs joined President Hitt for his last graduation ceremony before retiring from his role as university president at the end of June. The ceremony honored graduates from the College of Health & Public Affairs. Mayor Jacobs provided the commencement address for graduating students.
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Timber Creek High School Student Awarded 2018 Charles T. Smith Youth Community Service Award
Timber Creek High School senior Mia Forsman was recently recognized with the Charles T. Smith Youth Community Service Award during the school's Senior Awards Ceremony. The award, created by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, recognizes an outstanding high school senior who has shown dedication toward making a positive impact in their community through service and volunteerism. The award honors the life and memory of former Orange County Ombudsman Charles "Chase" Smith, who devoted his life to government, public service and improving his community.
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IAAPA Breaks Ground on New International
Headquarters in Orange County
Orange County Government's leadership, including District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey, joined the tourism and hospitality industry for the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the global headquarters of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the largest trade association for the global attractions industry. The new 22,000-sq.-ft. international headquarters will be located on seven acres at 4155 Taft-Vineland Road in Orlando. The property sits at the global epicenter of the theme park and attractions industry. Construction is slated to be completed by Summer 2019.
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Orange County Recognizes Winners of the 2018 Jefferson Awards' Lead360 Challenge
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) recognized local students for their work and dedication to public service and community during the County's annual
Jefferson Awards Lead360 Challenge
presentation at the
BCC meeting on May 22, 2018.
Since 2013,
Orange County Government
has partnered with
the
Jefferson Awards Foundation to host the Lead360 Challenge .
The Jefferson Awards, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, is the country's longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service. The program engages and celebrates America's youth for their efforts in making a difference in their communities.
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News Worth Noting
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