Volume 4 Number 4
January 26, 2007

Resolution: a formal expression and statement of policy, opinion, will, belief, intent or appreciation voted by an official body or assembled group.

The Florida Cabinet confers honor and appreciation at each meeting to deserving Floridians and worthwhile ideas. At the Cabinet meeting, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink presented two resolutions - one in appreciation of retiring state employee Hamilton “Buck” Oven, and one to help spread the word about the earned income tax credit available to low-income workers through the IRS.

Following are the formal words of expression in these two Cabinet resolutions.

R E S O L U T I O N

             WHEREAS, Hamilton S. Oven was born on January 1, 1947, in Mineral Springs, Texas, rambling around like buckshot, creating the name Buck by his grandfather; and

WHEREAS, in 1968, Buck graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Environmental Engineering; and 

            WHEREAS, beginning his career with the State of Florida in April, 1973, Buck was  appointed Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Pollution Control; and  

            WHEREAS, Buck has held numerous positions within the State of Florida, including General Engineer, Air Pollution Control Engineer, Water Pollution Control Engineer, Bio-Environmental Engineer, to his current position with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as Professional Engineer and Program Administrator; and  

            WHEREAS, Buck has personally led efforts to ensure the certification of more than 25,000 megawatts of electrical generation, representing more than 45 percent of Florida’s energy generation capacity and administered the certification of more than eleven percent of Florida’s electric transmission line capacity; and  

            WHEREAS, for many years, Buck Oven has served as Administrator of the Siting Coordination Office within the Department of Environmental Protection; and 

            WHEREAS, the State of Florida takes great pride in the outstanding qualities and dedication of citizens who have faithfully served in government. 

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida do hereby recognize 

HAMILTON  “BUCK”  OVEN

 and express their gratitude to him for his dedication and commitment to the citizens of Florida. 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida do hereby wish Buck many years of health and well being during his retirement and thank his mother, Katherine, his wife, Betsy, children, Audra, Sabrina Cole, Scott Hubener, and his grandchildren, Trevor, Tyler, Savannah, Bradley, and Emi, for their love and support during his remarkable career.  

            IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida have hereunto subscribed their names and have caused the Official Seal of the State of Florida to be hereunto affixed in the City of Tallahassee on this 30th day of January, 2007.

R E S O L U T I O N 

          WHEREAS, since 1975 the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has helped offset social security taxes for thousands of Floridians, making EITC the federal government’s largest benefits program for hard-working, low-income families; and  

WHEREAS, in Florida, approximately 35 million Floridians could be eligible for an immediate cash refund worth thousands of dollars that could be used to pay down debt or make a down payment on a home; and  

WHEREAS, an estimated 20 percent of eligible Floridians may not be aware of EITC or that they may qualify for the program; andTAX C RE D I T S FORPEOPLE WHO WORK

          WHEREAS, eligible citizens could receive checks totaling up to $4,300 more in the mail this tax season in addition to the sum they might already be expecting when they file their annual income tax return; and 

WHEREAS, there are more than 12,000 free tax preparation sites nationwide with approximately 4,500 sites designated as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites that provide free services to people who earn $39,000 a year or less; and        

          WHEREAS, promoting awareness of the EITC tax credit and the resources available gets money back in the hands of hard-working taxpayers so they can take advantage of Florida’s boundless opportunities. 

          NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida do hereby encourage citizens, those who may qualify and those who can help spread the word, to participate in the   

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT AWARENESS DAY on February 1st . 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida do hereby recognize the importance of this valuable program and the profound economic impact on businesses, communities and families because of  the program’s work to move people out of poverty. 

          IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida have hereunto subscribed their names and have caused the Official Seal of the State of Florida to be hereunto affixed in the City of Tallahassee on this 30th day of January, 2007.