Source
State Archives of Florida, Series S125
Description
A letter from Coralyn Hickoff, president of the Pennsylvania State Parent Teacher Association to Governor Askew discussing the use of high visibility safety armbands for children's safety in response to the dark mornings during Daylight Saving Time. A sample of the armbands is included.
General Note
In 1973, the United States was facing energy shortages and developed a variety of approaches to conserve energy as a result, including the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973. This legislation established a trial period of year-round Daylight Saving Time (DST) from January 6, 1974 to April 27, 1975. The hope was that an extra hour of daylight in the evening would reduce energy consumption, especially the use of electricity.
In Florida, the change to year-round DST came with serious consequences. In the first few weeks after the time change was enacted, several school-aged children were injured in traffic accidents in the dark mornings on their way to school.
In response to these accidents, there was an outpouring of citizen correspondence to Governor Askew expressing their opinions on year-round DST and whether or not Florida should move to counteract the Federal mandate within the state.
On January 29th, 1974, the Florida Legislature met for a special session to discuss DST. At the end of this session, no legislation was passed, and Florida continued to comply with the year-round Daylight Saving Time that President Nixon established.
In 2018, the Florida Legislature passed the “Sunshine Protection Act” (HB1013/SB858), stating that Florida will enact a year-round DST, provided that the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966 is amended to permit states to do so.
4700 Clarendon Street
Harrisburg, Pa. 17109
February 13, 1974
The Honorable Reubin Askew
The Governor's Mansion
Tallahassee, Florida
Dear Governor Askew:
I have been reading about the problems you have been encountering in your state since the change to Daylight Savings Time. As a concerned Mother and P.T.A. member, I would like to pass along a suggestion which may help protect the school students in your state.
The Penna. State P.T.A. will have available reflective arm-bands, which we are encouraging | students to wear on dark mornings. We feel these arm-bands can be an important safety factor to pro- tect anyone who must walk to school or to bus-stops in the dark.
I am enclosing a sample of these Saf-T-Bands. If you feel they can be utilized by students in your state, and if you would like further information, you may contact the:
Penna. PTA State Office
4808 Derry Street
Harrisburg, Pa.
Although similar products may be available else- where, the Penna. State PTA is offering them at a lower cost than we have seen elsewhere.
Sincerely yours,
Coralyn Hickoff [signed]
Coralyn Hickoff
President, PTA
E.H. Phillips Elem. School
Harrisburg, Pa. 17109
Enclosure
P.S. I should have mentioned that these Saf-T-Bands were designed exclusively for our state P.T.A by the Pennsylvania Industries for the Blind and Handicapped.
Chicago Manual of Style
Hickoff, Coralyn. Letter from Coralyn Hickoff, president of the Pennsylvania State Parent Teacher Association, to Governor Askew discussing the use of safety armbands for students, February 13, 1974. 1974-02-13. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/350892>, accessed 15 November 2024.
MLA
Hickoff, Coralyn. Letter from Coralyn Hickoff, president of the Pennsylvania State Parent Teacher Association, to Governor Askew discussing the use of safety armbands for students, February 13, 1974. 1974-02-13. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/350892>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Hickoff)
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