Source
State Archives of Florida, Series S125
Description
A letter from B. A. Roemer, President of Roemer Construction Company in Belle Glade, Florida, dated January 20, 1974, to Governor Askew requesting that he revoke 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.
ROEMER CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
BELLE GLADE, FLORIDA
P. O. BOX 875
PHONE 996-2954
INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL
January 20, 1974
Answered 2/21/74 [written]
The Honorable Reubin Askew
Governor of Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Sir:
Please - revoke Daylight Saving Time. A small amount of energy might be saved; however, we as well as farmers cannot work in the dark and have moved our working hours to conform with daylight.
I am sure you have heard from parents state wide on this issue.
If you and our legislators have sufficient fortitude, you will legislate closing of shopping centers and markets on Sunday, or perhaps some week day.
This, I am sure would save considerable energy and probably more than winter time DST.
Very truly yours,
B A Roemer [signed]
B. A. Roemer, President
BAR:jr
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