Education Postsecondary

>> Good morning, everyone. The committee on Education Post secondary will now come to order. Please call the roll. Senator Calatayud Chair Simon here, Senator Berman Senator Harrell Senator Jones. Senator Rodriguez, a quorum is present. Thank you, secret. Please silence all electronic devices. Anyone wishing to speak before the committee should complete an appearance form and hand it to a member of the sergeants office. Should you select to waive your speaking time? Your position will be included within the committee meeting records at this time. I'm going to take up Tab. 2 SB 1246. On health service workforce shortages by Senator Davis morning. Senator Davis, you're recognized to explain your Bill. >> Thank you. Haven't been to the INT forgot to do that. Good morning again. Committee SB 46 just a little background was established in 2022, it's Kabul Line Fund and the line is linking industry to nursing education. This fund was created to incentivize collaboration between nursing education programs and healthcare partners to combat the nursing shortage in the state. This competitive grant program provides matching funds on a dollar to dollar basis to participating agencies that partner with health care providers as defined in statute. What the bill will do is expand the line fun eligibility to include health science education programs. And students allows dollar-for-dollar matching for private contract contributions beyond healthcare partners while prioritizing health care providers. It also authorized the use of funds for scholarships, facility, faculty, recruitment equipment, relations centers and facility renovations. And that is the bill, Mister Chair. Thank you. Senator Davis, are there any questions on the bill? Senator Harrell, you're recognized. >> Thank you very much, Mister Chairman and I appreciate the bill greatly. But can you please defined specifically what programs would be eligible for it? What specific would be radiology tech? Would it be physical therapy? What other of workforce programs would be included in this? I I didn't see naming of specific ones. >> So Page 2 in the summary at the list of the what the line funds can be used for district career centers, charter technical. These are the the other people, other organizations that would expand into charter technical career centers, Florida College System, our state universities, independent nonprofit colleges and universities and independent schools with the credit it programming as defined in statute. So that's just a short list of some of the other organizations that we're expanding to on Page 2. >> Yes, I read that. But I look, I'm looking for the specific types of programs. This is and as it is stands now is strictly limited to nursing. So are you talking you defining specific career path? Not the school is not the types of schools, but the exact career positions like radiology tech, physical therapy tech, a variety of specific programs. Not just technical schools. Okay. We are going to go. Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you, Mister Chair. >> And we don't have that identified and that's the expansion of the flexibility. We don't have that identified at that at this time. But if that's something you want to talk about, that we can actually be concrete and solidify in the legislation. We can do that. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would very much like to be quite specific because we have certain areas where we we do need to designate exactly where the workforce shortages are and say where that we want to since this is a limited pot of funding, that we want to be target the appropriate professions. >> And just continuing on where, again, we're focusing on a health care institutions as well as career and technical education, Haitian programs. But we can be specific. So we definitely can work on that any other questions. >> We do have a few appearance forms here. Carolyn Johnson, Florida Chamber of Commerce speaking for the bill, waiving in support Tim Morse waiving in support Bruce Duncan waiving in support, Mauricio M***** Montrell waiving in support Antonio College waiving in support. Kathleen Plinske waiving in support. That is all of the forms that I have. Is there any debate on the bill? Senator Harrell, you're recognized in debate. >> Thank you very much. And I absolutely would support the expansion of this program from not just nursing, but as it moves forward. I I look forward to working with you to make sure we're quite specific because this could be this is a specific amount of money that was regionally this designated for nursing. We want to make sure it stays as narrow as possible within that healthcare around and doesn't branch out into other things which could possibly happen as it structured now. And I look forward to working with you and thank you for your openness and I appreciate it. Any other debate. >> Senator Davis, you're recognized to close on your Bill. Thank you, Mister Chair and thank you, Senator. How for that collaboration. I look forward to it to ensure that we have this piece of legislation and the right posture by the time we get to the floor and to make sure it is still narrowly tailored for our nursing education programs. Just because we mentioned funding just wanted to ensure everyone this is not any. This legislation is asking for any additional money we have about 44 million that's sitting in a pot for this line. The line funds right now as of 2025 and the governor proposed another 30 million for this line fund pot. So we're not extending funds are asking for funds which is asking for flexibility for our nursing education programs as well as career technical programs. Thank you. Senator Davis secret. Please call the Roll on SB 1246. >> Senator Berman. Yes, Senator Harrell, Senator Jones, Senator Rodriguez. Yes, chair Simon. Yes, Senator Calatayud and by your Vote SB 1246. Is reported favorably. Thank you, Mister Chair and thank you committee. Let's take Up Tab. One SB 194 on Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance by Senator Martin Morning. Senator Martin, you're recognized to explain your Bill. Hi, Good Morning Committee. Thank you, chair. >> This Bill doesn't it's October 14th, which is which is Charlie Kirk's birthday as the Charlie Kirk Day here in the state of Florida. >> The bill would have a. >> We've had this day be a day of remembrance in recognition of Charlie Kirk's influence on civic engagement, youth leadership and constitutional education. They does not create a state holiday or mandate closures. It simply recognizes contributions that shape a generation. Charlie Kirk made national impact by encouraging young Americans to think critically engage in civic life and stand up for constitutional freedoms, inspired millions to participate in public dialogue, defend their beliefs respectfully and understand their rights and responsibilities of citizens. His work helped build a movement of young leaders who are active in promoting limit government, free speech and American values. Charlie Kirk motivated entire generation to get involved, ask questions and defend the principles that make our country strong. This is why it's imperative that the free state of Florida honors Charlie Kirk's legacy that he created. >> Thank you, Senator Martin. Are there any questions on the bill? Senator Berman, you're recognized feel free to go back and forth. >> Thank. Thank you. Thank you. Mister Chair. What criteria to the legislature turned? The speaker is been on site. >> We're criteria. Does a legislature generally use when deciding to create a statute statutorily designated day of remembrance. >> Thank you. I'm unaware of any set criteria but individuals have their own criteria that vote in this process. You're welcome to use yours. No, there's no requirement that you follow any sort of criteria when you vote yes or no on this. >> Okay. Senator Martin, what's the purpose for making this in statute whether than just relying on this resolution are given a Tory proclamation? >> There's quite a number of days of remembrance. There's there's quite a number of the holidays that Florida recognizes way more controversial than than this one. So they're it's it's just a matter of of preference there. There seem to be a a large push the summer before session of the summer. This fall before session after Charlie Kirk's assassination on a college campus while he was engaging in free speech and debate that a lot of people felt that this is something that good it goes past transcends his views politically and it goes more to the fact that he was engaging in public discourse, which we all Republican, Democrat, a and P a no is integral to the functioning of a free society. >> Are there any examples of individuals with similar professional backgrounds who have been recognized through statute? Thank you, professional backgrounds, York. Well, I I'm looking at the list and the only other people person I see is Ronald Reagan, who was a president. So is there anybody why would we put somebody who has actually all these other days? And there's a lot of them here in the in the analysis do not acknowledge a person. The only one we recognize as Ronald. Well, actually the birthday of Jefferson Davis, interesting and Robert E Lee. Okay that those were given to us by the Democrats years ago. Okay. Interesting. But when you compare, do you think Charlie Kirk billing belongs on the list with famous military personnel and a president of the United States? You're recognized. Thank you. I think that again, beyond what Charlie Kirk's title was, he was a young man who who focused on debate discourse. >> Pushing back on narratives on college campuses, providing an alternative viewpoint that that millions of students around the country weren't getting in the classrooms. He wasn't an elected official. But what he was doing was something that is not just guaranteed under the Constitution but protected under the Constitution. He was engage in free speech. And I think that even though he doesn't have the same title as president, what he was doing is so integral to the framework in the fabric of our country and in our survivability, frankly, our ability to debate our ability to disagree that that what he was doing when he was assassinated goes to the very core of who we are as Americans. And that's why we should remember. Charlie Kirk, every you everybody can disagree with political viewpoints here there. I agree with some of the stuff he said. I disagree with some of the stuff he said. But what he was doing while he was assassinated is is the reason that we should have a day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk. >> Thank you. So Melissa Hortman was assassinated doing what we all do which is certainly impactful. She was the Minnesota Legislature. Do you think we should have a Melissa Hortman day of recognition? You're recognized. Thank you. >> I didn't know most important name before she was assassinated shoes. The Minnesota legislator. She was killed in her house last year from breast a contract not to minimize her, her impact or her involvement. But most people in Florida, frankly didn't know her name until just like most people Minnesotan or don't know my name. I would expect Minnesota to recognize somebody that really had no notoriety in Minnesota. And I think that's probably why there was no push from the Democrats to do a day of remembrance for her in states outside of Minnesota outside where impact was the truckers impact was nationwide. And there's no doubt about that. We saw the funeral, you know, in in Arizona, packed stadium packed Cardinal Stadium. The president spoke there that this was without question in the event that happened on it wasn't on TV. That happened live on social media is live streaming. And and it's it's something that many people are going to remember for for decades into the future. >> So having a a a well-known name like the Kardashians at a park funeral or should be qualifications for having a day of remembrance, the chair? I don't think that I think you missed the other. >> Component that's been a couple minutes talking about which is what Charlie Kirk was doing while he was assassinated it it strikes fear in many individuals who are concerned about their safety when they get up or families when when when leaders leave their house every morning when a when what he was doing was attacked. I think it's important that we as a country stand together and say we don't have to agree with the guy. We don't agree with everything he said. But what we can say is what happened. The the assassins attempt to not just quiet him but the quiet entire movement. We can't give one individual person that type of power we have to. We have to respond with something more positive and more powerful than what that criminal assassin dead. >> All right. Do you have any concerns that establishing this could lead to an increase in future requests for recognition of individuals such as media personalities, podcasters political and feel and serves? >> I don't have concerns with people requesting that other people we recognize. I think we've we've all seen the Senate analysis. There's many individual excuse me who have been recognizing there's day of remembrance or legal holidays here in the state of Florida. But I think it's it's a question for the for us which names were gonna which movements are which ideas we're going to put in that position. That's it for now. Thank you. At this time I'll pass the gavel back to our chair and the cloud you are there. Any appearance forms for the bill? >> Thank you so much. Chair Simon, the Amendment. I'm sorry. We can do that after the continued. Okay. We will. Right after appearance forms Andrew Shrivel, Florida voice for the unborn speaking. >> Good Morning Committee members. My name is Andrew Charles. I am the founder and executive director of Florida Voice for the unborn Florida Voice for the unborn supports this bill because Charlie Kirk was an unwavering champion for the rights of unborn children during his lifetime. A lifetime that was cut way too short by a murderous radical terrorist. On the episode of the show in 2021, Charlie Kirk said, quote, Abortion is not about women's health. It's about the destruction of human life and that a turning Point USA event in Twenty-twenty Charlie Kirk stated the most vulnerable among us deserve protection like this precious from conception and we have a duty that to defend it. Florida voice for the unborn wholeheartedly agrees please passed Senate Bill. 194 to honor colleagues, legacy and martyrdom. Thank you very much. >> You're you're a Nixon speaking against from equal ground. Please feel free to correct pronunciation of you. >> Thank you. Chairwoman and members of this committee. I'm here in Nixon, a legislative associate with equal ground which is a community center organization where we engage and protect the voting rights for black Floridians. I strongly oppose Senate bill 194 to commemorate Charlie Kirk for Memorial Days. Street designations in campus wrote renaming across Florida while I condemn the violence. That's what Mister Kirk's life. We want you to consider the documented impact of his rhetoric before endorsing public honors in his name in 2023. At the American Fess Conference. Mister Kirk said that we made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960's, he characterized landmark civil rights legislation that made it possible for this binse to be here. Quite honestly for us to have a state legislator that serves all people of all races, religious backgrounds. And he said that it was a destructive force and that it had been turned into anti white weapon. Mark, her claim that prominent black women like Miami, Florida, native Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson had advance her career only because of affirmative action stating you have to go in still a white person slot to going to be taken somewhat seriously in discussing dei programs, the airline safety. He said I see a black pilot and I'm going to be like, boy, I hope he's qualified. 2 days ago, we honor the life and legacy of Doctor Martin Luther King who dedicated his life to unity, equality and nonviolent resistance to injustice Mr. Kerr described Doctor Martin Luther King Junior has an awful and not so good person. Our state should not honor Mister Kurtz, history weaponizing faith to justify colonialism, enslavement and bigotry. You all have a responsibility to ensure that individuals honor with public commemorations represents the values that promote equality, dignity and compassion for all Floridians, no matter what color or race they come from. Thank you. Genesis Robinson speaking in opposition. >> You're recognized. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. And good morning to the members of the Committee. My name is Genesis Robinson. I have the pleasure of serving as executive director of Equal Ground Education Fund an Equal Ground Action fund. As Kara said, We are black lead voting rights organization working throughout the state of Florida. Just 2 days ago we celebrated Dr Martin Luther King Junior Day and the annual opportunity to pay homage to one of America's greatest drum majors for justice. A day when the entire nation pauses to reflect on the courage, brilliance and sacrifice of a man who was murdered. Just 39 years old while fighting to make this country live up to its highest ideals. And yet, Charlie, Kurt, the man you all wish to create a day of remembrance for referred to DR. King is awful and not a good person. So I have to ask what is awful about wanting to see a world free of racism? What is awful about believing as Doctor King did that justice and must be measured not by speeches, not by political rhetoric, but whether people can eat for the people can live with dignity and fully participate in our society. What is awful about believing that justice must be measured? Not by excuse me. What it's awful about believing injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. I'll tell you what is awful. What is often is that in the state of Florida in the year 2026, there's legislation that seeks to recognize and legitimize and celebrate someone who was openly divisive. It's all full. We are seeking to publicly honor a man who said the Civil Rights Act was a huge mistake. As you all know, the Civil Rights Act was a monumental law that outlawed discrimination in public accommodations, unemployment and it opened doors that have legally been shut for many years. Tell that to the black family who can now walk into a restaurant and serve that it was a mistake so that to the worker who can no longer be fired simply because of the color of their skin. Tell that to the student, to the veteran, to the parent, the everyday Floridian whose basic right to simply exist because people before them fall from legislation like the Civil Rights Act. Charlie Curtis, not a historical figure whose life expanded freedom, protective voting rights or something democracy. He was a political activists whose work was it almost explicitly partisan and in many cases deeply divisive. When this legislature create state-sanctioned day of remembrance, it sends a message about who values Florida honors. It tells our children who is worthy of celebration. At a moment when Floridians face real challenges, threats to our voting rights are growing affordability, crisis restrictions on honesty. In our classrooms and declining trust and our government, this legislature should be protecting democracy, not memorializing partisan figures. Symbolism matters. State sanction. Remember, it's matters. And this bill sets a dangerous precedent. That recognition is not simply reserved for those who advanced justice, but for those who have the loudest political megaphone and for these reasons equal ground action to oppose Senate Bill 194, thank you for your time. Thank you. John Labriola Christian family coalition waiving speaking time in support Aaron Di Pietro Florida voice waives in support. >> And we will now take up. We have a late filed amendment. Is there objection to taking up the late filed amendment? We're going to take up Amendment Barcode 1, 6, 3, 1, 4, 6, by Senator Jones. Senator, you're recognized to explain your amendment. >> Thank you so much, Madam Chair. And good morning members. Members added to share with Senator Berman that there was a time when Senator Berman and I along with our chair Harrell, when we're in the house, there was a time where legislation like this would not have made it through in the saga to chamber. Not only is the House side no would have made on the Senate side. So that's how far we have come. And so today we look at Senator Martin's bill and he's presenting to create that they remembers honor and Charlie Kerr. So this amendment that I have created is also recognizes George Floyd. It's also worth knowing October 14th is both Charlie Curbs birthday in George Floyd's Birthday. And so what this body is choosing a date to remember. Remember, Charlie Kirk will memorialize individual in the alignment that we're looking at is already before us. The question is simply whether we acknowledge it fully selectively selective days of remembrance is what we're talking about today. And so before morning rush to debate the personal history of George Floyd, let me be clear about what this amendment addresses. This is not about declaring anyone perfect. It is about acknowledging moments that forced a nation to confront itself. History does not only remember the flawless history remembers events that changed the course of public conscious moments when this country has had to look at the Mayor AG itself. Some of you may look at this amendment. You may say shed this is provide Kiev, but I see it differently. I see this in as necessary because when we legitimize remembrance or legislate remembers, rather, we decide whose stories are elevated and who was experiences are overlook. And that is a serious responsibility of us who sit on this dais. Senator Martin, I hope you understand what's being a big in this bill here. She shared a quote. So the the data, everyone for equal ground in this, the Kurds, public statements and how he spoke against black woman in leadership, black women in professional spaces. Murray the entire cool to you. He's this is what he said. His show on 7/13/2023. He said if we would have said that jury and Michelle Obama is Sheila Jackson-lee, God bless or so it can target Brown. Jackson were affirmative action picks. We would have been car races. Now they're coming out and they're seeing it for us. You do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously. You have to go steal a white person. It's a lot to go be taken somewhat seriously. This statement tells us something important about the world view being elevated here right here in the state of Florida in this moment. And Senator Martin, to be honest with you, you serve in this chamber with black women. You serve in this chamber with black members. You will not have work alongside each other for the very people. Miss Tucker has said that. Who is he? The legitimate delete the make sure that they were discredited. Should I say the rhetoric is what we're calling into question. This is not abstract. personal to this very institution which we sit today. So context matters. And I'll be clear on something argument is not about whether we should remember trying to occurred. My argument is about selective remembrance. That's what we're talking about today. That's what I'm found. This amendment 4 because we have before us 2 men who dat at the hands of another. Both deaths sparked national reckoning. George Floyd's death for this country to confront race and Justice. Charlie Kirk's death Force America to confront political violence and extremism. If this body chooses to on a one and exclude the other, that is not neutrality. That's a choice that we're making today. And this amendment ask us as a body to examine that choice and be on this about the choice that would make in my final comments. I want to acknowledge something happened in real time. And I appreciate this letter to Madam Chair. Just this week, the attorney general issued an opinion Colin race based protections unconstitutional. This should give all of us Powell's about how race rice and rhetoric are being treated in this moment. It reminds us that how we legislate memory does not exist in isolation. Senator Martin, I understand that you believe that this bill is meant to encourage healthy political discourse in civic engagement. And I respect that in teaching are actually agree with you. But we must also recognize that legislation like this live in a much broader moment moment where Hart, one progress built on the backs built by the blood, sweat and tears of many is being challenged in this moment. And we as a legislature about to put a stamp of approval on mark her life did not deserve to end the way it did. I condemn political violence every step of the way. I condemn it fully, but equally Mr. Floyd Live did not deserved in that way there. And with this 9 minutes and 29 seconds, Senator Martin, this world, I watched him and call for breath that never came that moment for this nation to confront race in justice in a very real in new way. It changed public conscious. It changed lulls, change the direction of how we think hope it did. We wanted to. But this back, what movement that we're doing? It's so disheartening. So in this committee it we're going to open the door to legislate remembrance. Then we must be prepared to remember fully and not selectively. And that's why I found this. And then are there questions on the amendment? Is there any debate on the amendment? Senator Martin, that you care to comment? Thank you. Thank you for for your. For lack of other words. I know you should have thank you for your heart. >> I know you try to do the best you can what everybody up here. But specifically we've we've had many conversations. You do a great job representing your district and and thank you for your words. And I wish I had more time to prepare for respond for this. I was made aware of the amendment after the committee meeting started. I'd love to sit down with Senator Jones and talk to him about this. But at this time I'm gonna say it for for the sake of the committee. It's unfriendly amendment. But it doesn't mean that I don't want to work towards many of the things that you spoke about it in your in your presentation on the amendment. >> Senator Jones, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair at all, start how, why, how? And that there was a time that this legislature would not have even seen this type of bill. And I hate that we as a country and we as a body in my 13 years being in here that this is what where we have come to, that we're passing days of remembrance of individual who to be quite honest. Madam chair has ages who probably would speak to me about was on fire. Now, let that be my close. All those in favor of the amendment say yea, yea, all opposed say nay. The amendment secret. Let's please call the roll on the amendment. >> Senator Berman, yes, senator Harrell, Senator Jones. Yes, Senator Rodriguez, Senator Calatayud. I'm sorry. Senator Simon know chair cloud. You know the amendment is not adopted. We're back on the bill. Is there any debate on the bill, Senator Berman? >> I think we just heard and I'm extremely compelling. Emotional discussion. Thank you for that testimony. We heard from some of the opponents of the bill. We I can't imagine why we're doing this. You know, I I questioned what made Charlie Kirk so unique that we should be having a day of remembrance for him. And I got things about his name was no nationwide. We had a packed funeral. I mean, you know, I there's there's really no reason why we in this legislature should be having a day of remembrance. You want to do a resolution, you want to do a governmental proclamation, but actually enshrine this in statute sends such a horrible message for the state of Florida about that. Some of the things that have been said by Charlie Kirk and shot, it always shocks me that Melissa Hortman, who was one of us died months was was murdered at her home months before us, her husband, her dog. And yet there was nothing them happen. Nationwide. Outrage about that note. The flags weren't even lowered to half-staff by our by the executive branch of our United States government. And and and then in comparison, the here we have this situation where we're we're going to put this into statute a day of remembrance for someone who's been, you know, talks about who's done things that have been very bigoted and racist and misogynistic. And I really can't support anything that the anyone who seven's those kind of messages. And I find it really troubling as as Senator John said, that we are even having this discussion in the Florida legislature. So I will be a no vote today. Thank you. >> Vice chair some you're recognized in debate. I thank you. As I sit here and upon ponder just the conversations that we're having and listen to my colleague, Senator Jones and Senator Berman and of course, Senator Martin and what we're debating here. There's a few things that that we can challenge as it pertains to Mr. Kirk all across the country, one of the things that he said that really stuck to me and it's even more true today. This one conversations, stop bullets start and what we saw on college campuses all over the country as students were willing to step up and have conversations about issues that weren't always positive. But it held a mirror up to what our country, the most diverse country in the world. He's here in America and because of its diversity, it has its challenges. He didn't produce those challenges. He wasn't the original or the originator of those challenges. He was holding up the mirror of those challenges and our country. What it caused was folks to come out of the wood works out of the shadows on some of our more liberal bastions of our communities, our university campuses and say, you know what, I agree with some of the things that you say. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to actually come up and say the things that I agree with and the things that I disagree with far too often, that speech has been stifled on our campuses and around our country. And that does not lead to progress when one side or the other has to sit back and be quiet because what they may think or feel regardless of if we agree or disagree. >> Is seen as hateful or seen as despicable or to seen as just different. That doesn't have a place in our country. We should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. We should be able to do that. But emotions fly and the folks that benefit the most from our disagreement step up and they're often times the loudest voices in the room causing the conflict instead of sitting down and having meaningful discussion. I applaud what Mr Kerr did because he cause us to have those discussions and places that weren't always favorable. That's courage. In my book. It truly is this isn't a discussion or argument or debate over what George Floyd meant to this country or what Charlie Kirk into this country. This is a debate how we move forward peacefully together, understanding our diversity and our differences. That's what this is a conversation about. And so I appreciate you having the courage to bring a bill like this forward. I don't think his his impact in this country, especially on our college campuses can be understated. And so with that I close and I say thank you. I didn't agree with everything Charlie Kirk said. I don't think anyone in this room agree was with agree with everything someone says, but the courage to stand up and say some of those things should be commended and it caused action throughout our country because young people to engage in the process again. And it was more than just social media activism. It was actually taking a stand. And I think that's a move in the right direction. Because when conversation stops, the fighting starts. Are there any other members in debate? Yes. Senator Jones, thank you so much. Madam Chair members, the. >> The argument that we that we are not even argument, the discussion that we're having here today is not whether or not we could have or should have political discourse. It's when does that discourse become degrading discriminatory? And when it also become divisive, we on this days and in this body, we have discourse in disagreement daily on policy. So of course we're not. That's not what my argument is. The argument today is are you Senator Berman asked as it pertains to criteria in what and how we create a day of remembrance. >> They are not. I will what I do. Remember it for force. You Senator Martin, I do agree with everything you say. I do that. And so what we're seeing and having a conversation on that, I really I really hope. But even as this bill progress that we are giving a stamp of approval in this body, you for individuals to say things that are divisive, not just disagreeable but also discriminatory. And we're in this by saying that we can remember and memorialize those things. The senators, I hear you 10100% as it pertains to the conversations being able to happen on our college campuses. But please let us not be Bolivia's to the fact that in this very building that we are sincere in cages and what they can and they cannot say. So please, let's not come here and act as if that we are trying to set some stand to where we are really just saying that the First Amendment is something that we actually approved over the past couple of years in this body. We have it it what people can and cannot say. So let's be honest. Of course. I think it anybody sitting here and you want to fight not just for your community, but the individuals who have these microphones. I would hope that you will be doing the same thing that most of the Senator Berman, you're doing it because we are in the minority party. We can't put nobody bill for the day. Remember that? We want because you all have the power. You can do that because if you wanted to put George Florida, if you want to put my but again, if you were to put Medgar Evers, if you want to put him until we could do it if the Democrats worry about, but we're not. So guess what, we're forced to borrow whether or not we want to get remembers for Charlie Cart, somebody who I disagree with what he said. I think that he's done should not be a good members. I don't care about a day of remembrance. Sure. Put down members on the table, put another Republican. Not that one might disagree with. Put them on a table. That's not the argument. My argument is that we have to stay are about to put the stamp of approval individual who look at what that women in this baton in this building and said that they're not qualified to do and be, will they? That's what I'm talking about. So so you shaking your head and think that I'm just here making bowl and making a first about anything become national privilege that you can have. You can just sit here and say that's not my. That's not my. That's my that my experience because a lot for me to get upset and I know it. But when I get up to in these moments because that what we're doing here, we're turning a blind at 2 things that meet individually in my community and some people in your community. Also one look at it to say, what are we really doing? What are we really saying? What message are we really Sunday? If this is the message that we will listen, so be it. Y'all send it. I can promise you are. It is. And I want to hear me hear me loud and clear when we walk out these doors for the last time that we hold these positions. Boy, I hope to God yacht and pray that you are look at history in history. Looks at you in a way but even tell you. Thank you. History looks at you the way I ask you why. And who will you progress? I would tell you this. This is not progress and no one, nobody in my community. Nobody in your community center some know back in your community center, how nobody in your community center, Geoff, nobody, this is not progression in the back. You know what it is doing? This is pushing a narrative that in this country that have us in this position that we in today and Paul, that we can sit here and legitimize individual that would not they could not care less about whether or not I have to see and anybody else who look like me, I this agreement is not about the day of remembrance. It's about what we're putting the stamp of approval. Any other members in debate, Senator Martin. >> A moment ago, you had shared that this is a late filed amendment that was submitted during committee and that you had continued interest in conversation with Senator Jones or with leader. And I just wanted to let you know that. I appreciate that. You're recognized to close on the bill. >> Thank you. Thank you for for your comments for your perspectives. And I think I alluded to this in the last committee stop. I had the the luxury of No you, Charlie Kirk was for years before his passing. And I would see many of his speeches on college campuses. and I know there's some opposition to this bill here in this committee. And I want to tell you that if I had not seen all of his speeches, the context the before and the after of his of the statements that dealt with extremely controversial issues, I would probably feel very similar to you. Senator Berman and Senator Jones. I would probably be upset if everything that you said was all the information that I had on Charlie Kirk. But I've seen those quotes and I've seen them before. And the after I saw the people who he who is asking those questions, oftentimes members of the African-American community, they were asking him questions. How do you feel about affirmative action? How do you feel about the E I and I saw that back and forth and when you see the faces of the people who are asking those questions and engaging Charlie Kirk in that dialogue, you know, for a fact Charlie was not being racist. Charlie was addressing tough conversations with individuals who had never been spoken to with truth about the adverse effects of many of those policies. And we can agree and we do disagree on many of our viewpoints regarding affirmative action or dei programs. What are they were good 50 years ago, whether they're still as good today, whether they need to be adjusted to to adjust for for changing demographic. I would. I'm telling you, I would be angry if all I saw was the same CNN headlines about Charlie Kurtz. Few wines taken out from 15 years of public speeches oftentimes hours long. I would also be angry. But I had the ability as many people who support this bill to see that he spoke in a way that attracted the young adults. He got them to engage civically. But there was way more context then just those lines here and there. And again, I'm not saying I agree with everything he said politically or morally what the heart of this bill is and why this is different. Then the bill that was proposed in the amendment was Charlie Kirk was gunned down, engaging in his First Amendment right to debate and to communicate and the challenge controversial ideas and we have to protect that. We have to make sure that the victim's name lives longer, then the criminals name. I appreciate your support and I I appreciate the opportunity. As I know, we will continue to talk about how we can honor so many who have contributed to our way of life, not just around the country, but here in Florida as well. Thank you. >> Senate Bill, 194 to Senator Berman. Absolutely. Senator Harrell, Senator Jones. No. Senator Rodriguez, Senator Simon, yes, chair calatayud. Yes. And by your vote, we see Senate Bill. 194 reported favorably. Does any senator wish to be recorded as voting on bills before the committee today? I do tab 2 in the affirmative. Is there objection seeing none. The motion is adopted. Is there any other business before the committee seeing none. Senator Simon moves. We adjourn, motion is adopted. We are adjourned