Source
State Archives of Florida, Series S125
Description
A letter from Eugene F. Fabian to Governor Askew, on Marco Gallery letterhead, dated January, 25, 1974, urging him to keep Florida on Daylight Saving Time.
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.
Haris
Ans 2/14
Marco Gallery
FINE PAINTINGS UNIQUE GIFTS
9730 N. E. Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
Telephone (305) 751-7681
25 January 1974
The State Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida
32304
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME:
Dear Governor:
Dear Governor:
I and most of the Businesses in Florida do not want a return to Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time is good, to excellent for Sales and your Revenue (sales Taxes). Let me give you some examples:
We live and work in Miami Shores, supposedly a safe neighborhood, but when we had Standard Time, no women would come out after 6: PM due to darkness. Now with Daylight Saving time, we do have business after 7PM in the evenings.
First let me say, I have six children and three are in schools far away from home. Edison, Horace Mann, and North
Miami. Two ride bicycles.
I also want to relate, that in about 15 days the danger will have passed. Daylight will be from 7AM on, not 8AM as now.
Please do not hurt our Florida, sagging economy by cutting into trade...for instance, FPL just had an announcement that saving was made of 5%, but naturally gave no credit due to Daylight Saving Time. (That would be a natural statement for its stockholders-no energy, no revenue for payment of Dividends)
Just check the Wholesalers, they will tell you about the drop in orders for Florida Merchants.
Please keep Daylight Saving Time. We need the help of our evening hours to survive. Our success is your success.
Sincerely,
Eugene F. Fabian [signed]
Eugene F Fabian (A friend of Dr Calvin Rose)
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PS Tourist always come out after dinner now.....
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