R7K-Express Appreciation Return Of The Cuban Flag At The Freedom Tower -WolfsonOFFICE OF THE CITY ATIORNEY
JOSE CITY ATIORNEY
TO: MAYOR MA TTl HERRERA BOWER,
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION
KATHIE BROOKS, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
,/
FROM: JOSE SMITH
CITY ATTORNE, ,,,
DATE:
':,"
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE
RETURN OF THE CUBAN FLAG AT THE FREEDOM TOWER AND
REQUESTING AN EXPLANATION AS TO THE FLAG'S
TEMPORARY REMOVAL.
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Jonah Wolfson, the attached Resolution
expressing appreciation for return of the Cuban flag at the Freedom Tower and requesting an
explanation as to the flag's temporary removal is submitted for consideration by the Mayor and
City Commission at the October 24, 2012 City Commission meeting.
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Agenda Item R 71(
Date (O~J(/~t??
RESOLUTION NO.-------
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FlORIDA, EXPRESSING
APPRECIATION FOR THE RETURN OF THE CUBAN
FlAG AT THE FREEDOM TOWER AND REQUESTING AN
EXPLANATION AS TO THE FlAG'S TEMPORARY
REMOVAL
WHEREAS, the Downtown Miami Freedom Tower, with its distinctive Mediterranean
Revival silhouette, stands as the most identifiable monument associated with the Cuban
experience in America; and
WHEREAS, when the Castro regime came into power, Cuban refugees came to Florida
looking a new beginning and the Tower was used by the U.S. government between 1962
and 197 4 provide assistance to Cuban thus, earning its name as the Freedom
and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Tower holds rich historical
Cuban Americans whom its halls became the gateway
United States; and
WHEREAS, for many years, the Freedom Tower has displayed the Cuban Flag as a
symbol of freedom from the communist regime of Fidel Castro; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Tower's rich history began in 1925 when, from that
1 it housed offices for the Miami News & Metropolis newspaper, and
WHEREAS, in 1979, the Freedom Tower was added to the U.S.
Historic Places and was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2008;
WHEREAS, the Freedom Tower was purchased in 1974 by Jorge Mas Canosa sold
it in 2004 to Pedro Martin Family which later donated it to Miami Dade College in 2005; and
WHEREAS, as an educational center, the Freedom Tower is currently a destination not
only for students, but is the site many cultural and community events; and
WHEREAS,
American, is
1961;and
President of Miami Dade College, Dr. Eduardo J. Padron, a Cuban-
the many refugees who passed through the Freedom Tower's halls in
WHEREAS, recently, the Cuban flag was inexplicably removed
Tower; and
the Freedom
WHEREAS, with the assistance of the Cuban American Patriots and Friends and its
President Emilio Izquierdo, and Prensa Libre, which first publicized the missing flag and was
instrumental in its return, Cuban flag has been restored to the Freedom Tower; and
523
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach Mayor City Commissioners the
return the Cuban flag to its rightful location Freedom Tower, but request Dr.
Eduardo J. Padron, President of Miami-Dade College, provide an explanation to the Mayor
City Commission as to the flag's temporary absence.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that while appreciative of
return of Cuban flag to the Freedom Tower, the Mayor and City Commission of of Miami
Beach hereby respectfully request that Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo J. Padron
provide an explanation regarding the temporary absence of Cuban flag from the Freedom
Tower.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this_ day of October, 2012.
ATTEST:
Rafael Granado
City Clerk
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Matti Herrera Bower
Mayor
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