Former Florida Governor Bob Martinez Honored in Tallahassee with Building Dedication
March 19, 2007
Bob Martinez- Tampa
Governor Martinez is well known throughout the state
for his many initiatives aimed at preserving Florida's natural environment.
TALLAHASSEE – Holland & Knight LLP is proud to announce that the
Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) offices and laboratory in
Tallahassee was formally designated as the Bob Martinez Center in a ceremony
this afternoon. Senate Bill 0162 , passed last year by the Florida Legislature,
renames the building located at 2600 Blair Stone Road after former Florida
Governor Bob Martinez, whose environmental initiatives continue to benefit those
visiting and living in Florida today.
Governor Martinez has a long and distinguished career in public service that
spans more than 40 years. He was governor of the state of Florida from
1987-1991, he served in President George H. W. Bush's cabinet as the nation’s
Drug Czar from 1991-1993, was mayor of the city of Tampa from 1979-1986, and
vice chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District from 1975-1979.
Governor Martinez's environmental legacy, such as Preservation 2000, has had a
lasting effect on preserving Florida for many generations to come. Governor
Martinez currently is a senior policy advisor for Holland & Knight, and
maintains offices in Tampa, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
“I am honored to recognize Governor Martinez for his continued leadership and
service to our state,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Florida citizens in all
walks of life continue to benefit from the Governor’s wide-ranging
accomplishments, from environmental protection, to drug control and public
education.”
Governor Martinez’s environmental accomplishments include:
- Promoted and signed the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act in
1987 to restore lakes, rivers and estuaries across the state to better
protect public health and revitalize communities.
-
Reinforced protection of
America’s Everglades, particularly the restoration of Everglades National
Park and the Kissimmee River.
-
Proposed and signed the Solid
Waste Management Act in 1988, a $37.2 million comprehensive solid waste
management program.
-
Protected Florida’s coastline
from new natural gas and oil leasing activities and exploration.
- Proposed and signed legislation establishing Preservation 2000 (P2000)
in 1990, a $3 billion environmental land acquisition program and predecessor
to the current Florida Forever program.
"It's a great honor to be associated with these fine facilities on Blair
Stone Road. Florida's natural beauty has and always will be important to me, and
I am proud to share my name with the Department of Environmental Protection,"
Governor Martinez said about the building dedication.
Holland & Knight has an experienced environmental practice covering a variety
of issues including litigation, advocacy, transaction and natural resources. The
firm has played a role in shaping environmental legislation such as Superfund
reauthorization, Water Resources Development Act reauthorization, the Clean Air
Act and the Clean Water Act. Holland & Knight attorneys have represented coastal
communities, local governments and property owners on a wide range of issues
related to coastal protection and management, and private and public land,
including project approvals, beach nourishment, species protection, land use and
sensitive area restrictions.
Contact: Kathleen Larrison (813) 769-4330
Holland & Knight Managing Partner Howell W. Melton, Jr.
congratulates Governor Martinez after the dedication ceremony.
Please click the following link to view additional photos:
Building
Dedication.