Source
State Archives of Florida, Series S125
Description
A letter from Agnes D. Conlin, a high school teacher, to Governor Askew, expressing her support for the repeal of Daylight Saving Time, dated January 27, 1974.
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.
10290 N.E. Second Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida 33138
January 27, 1974
The Honorable Reuben Askew
Governor of the State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
Dear Governor Askew:
The purpose of this letter is to offer full support of your efforts to return the State of Florida to standard time. National Daylight Savings Time has been a personal disaster for me.
First of all, I am a teacher in a large inner-city integrated senior high school located in a less-than-the-best neighborhood. It is a necessity that I leave my home in darkness and unable to do many chores normally requiring my attention since I live alone in a large house and must make preparation for my dog for the day.
Many of my students, some of whom are seniors, have dropped valuable courses in the middle of their study because of fear to travel to school in darkness for a seven-thirty class. These considerations are minor considering the small children who have lost their lives in pre-dawn accidents. How could our law-makers have made such a thoughtless mistake, or are we geared in Washington to forgetting the poor, the young, and those who have to work? Not all of us are keepers of banking hours.
The other morning, I hosed my car to clear the windows and regretfully hosed a neighbor whom I was unable to see because of darkness. I almost feel as if our nation has been condemned once again to darkness, not unlike the days of World War II, and the whole matter has had a devastating effect on my own morale and that of a great number of my teaching colleagues. For the children, I grieve. Please, in God's Name, get us some relief quickly.
Respectfully yours,
Agnes D. Conlin [signed]
Agnes D. Conlin
Chicago Manual of Style
Conlin, Agnes D. Letter from Agnes D. Conlin to Governor Askew supporting the repeal of Daylight Saving Time, January 27, 1974. 1974-01-27. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/350898>, accessed 16 November 2024.
MLA
Conlin, Agnes D. Letter from Agnes D. Conlin to Governor Askew supporting the repeal of Daylight Saving Time, January 27, 1974. 1974-01-27. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/350898>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Conlin)
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