Whereas, Lee County, Florida, with its great year-round weather, and fresh and saltwater resources, provides special water-related recreational activities to its residents, and people from around the world; and

Whereas, this area's 428 square miles of saltwater tidal coastline, rivers, bays, ponds, and canals provide many of the needed outlets for recreation and relaxation; and

Whereas, recreational boating is one of Florida's leading outdoor activities with more than 50,000 registered boats in Lee County alone, distinguishing Florida as the "Boating Capital of the World"; and

Whereas, every year lives are lost in boating accidents in spite of the educational efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadrons, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and local agencies; the most likely boating operator to be in an accident is a male with boating experience who has not taken a safe boating class; and

Whereas, federal, state and local agencies and private companies and groups have combined their efforts to reduce boating accidents by developing and executing safety training programs, such as, "Boat Smart - Boat Safe", and "Suddenly in Command"; and

Whereas, the sponsors of these programs have focused their efforts toward youth and the general public of Lee County, Florida, urging them to enhance boating pleasure and avoid possible loss of life, while reducing the loss of property, and marine accidents; and

Whereas, in 2024, the most recent year period of available data, the U.S. Coast Guard verified 556 deaths as a result of recreational boating incidents in the U.S. Where cause of death was known, 76% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Where personal floatation device usage was known, 87% were not wearing a personal floatation device.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida does hereby proclaim May 16 - May 22, 2026, as
Safe Boating Week
in Lee County.
Duly executed this 5th day of May 2026.

Whereas, the Florida Gulf Coast University Men’s Hockey Club has demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the season, representing their university and community with pride; and

Whereas, through disciplined teamwork, resilience, and unwavering commitment, the team achieved remarkable success, including 21 goals in the first two games of pool play and two overtime thrillers on their way to winning the ACHA National Championship with a 3-2 win over Oklahoma State in overtime; and

Whereas, the players, coaches, and staff have dedicated countless hours to training, preparation, and competition, exemplifying the highest standards of collegiate athletics; and

Whereas, this championship victory brings the ACHA Division II trophy back to FGCU for the fifth time since 2012, and serves as a source of pride and inspiration for students, alumni, and the greater Southwest Florida community; and

Whereas, the achievements of the FGCU Men’s Hockey Club highlight the importance of teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and excellence both on and off the ice.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida proclaims that we do hereby recognize and commend the Florida Gulf Coast University Men’s Hockey Club for their outstanding accomplishment in winning the ACHA Division II National Championship and extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued success in the future.
Duly executed this 5th day of May 2026.

Whereas, National Prevention Week is an annual health observance held each May and is dedicated to increasing public awareness and action surrounding mental health and substance use disorders; and

Whereas, National Prevention Week 2026 is scheduled for May 10–16, 2026; and

Whereas, the Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida has been the leader in substance abuse prevention in Lee County since its founding in 1989 by community leaders Sheriff Mike Scott and Jim Nathan; and

Whereas, the Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida has coordinated Drug House Odyssey for the past 32 years with the support of numerous public health agencies and first responders; and

Whereas, the Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida, in partnership with the Hanley Foundation, has worked tirelessly to bring evidence based prevention programs—led by Certified Prevention Professionals—to Lee County; and
Whereas, First Horizon Bank has generously sponsored the Run for Prevention, supporting the sustainability and continued impact of the Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida; and

Whereas, the Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida has been recognized as a valued partner of the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties; and

Whereas, Thrive Lee has been established as an initiative of the Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida with the mission to build a healthier Lee County by strengthening youth, families, and communities through prevention, education, and early support;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida does hereby proclaim May 3 – 9, 2026 as

NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK

in Lee County and call upon our community to join us this week in celebrating the compelling programs and events that support increasing awareness of, and action around, mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.
Duly executed this 5th day of May 2026.

Whereas, there are thousands of Alliance of Therapy Dogs therapy animal teams serving in communities across the United States, including dedicated volunteer teams serving residents throughout Lee County; and

Whereas, Pet Partners has designated April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day; and

Whereas, scientific research shows that interacting with therapy animals can reduce stress, relieve depression, slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, and strengthen the immune system; and

Whereas, therapy animal teams in Lee County, including those serving through programs such as Beesley’s Paw Prints Pet Therapy Program, play an essential role in improving human health and well-being through the human-animal bond; and
Whereas, therapy animal teams interact with a variety of people in our community including children receiving trauma therapy, veterans, seniors, patients, students, and those approaching end of life; and

Whereas, these exceptional therapy animals, working in partnership with their human companions, bring comfort, emotional support, and healing to those in need; and
Whereas, National Therapy Animal Day recognizes the meaningful contributions of therapy animal teams and encourages more pet owners to consider becoming Alliance of Therapy Dogs volunteers to help expand access to therapy animal visits in our community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida does hereby proclaim
April 30, 2026, as

National Therapy Animal Day
in Lee County and encourage our citizens to celebrate our therapy animals and their human handlers. Further, we publicly salute the service of therapy animal teams in our community and in communities across the nation.

Duly executed this 21st day of April 2026.

Whereas, tourism is a cornerstone of Lee County’s economy, welcoming 3.3 million visitors in 2025 and generating $5.13 billion in economic impact; and

Whereas, tourism supports more than 31,000 local jobs and nearly $1.19 billion in wages, benefiting families and businesses in our community; and

Whereas, tourism revenues enhance the quality of life for residents, supporting beach nourishment, public facilities, and destination improvements, while also advancing events and experiences that enrich our community; and

Whereas, in the face of recent challenges, Lee County’s tourism industry has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a shared commitment to recovery, strengthening the foundation for future growth; and

Whereas, the success of Lee County’s tourism industry is made possible by thousands of dedicated hospitality professionals, and the ongoing efforts of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau to promote Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods as a welcoming and desirable destination.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida does hereby proclaim May 3 – 9, 2026 as National Travel & Tourism Week in Lee County and encourages residents, businesses, and community partners to recognize and celebrate the vital role tourism plays in our economy and quality of life; and
Be it further resolved that the Board encourages participation in “Light Up Lee” by illuminating buildings and spaces in blue in celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week.
National Travel & Tourism Week 2026
Duly executed this 21st day of April 2026.