A bill formally apologizing to the victims of the now-closed Dozier School for Boys is now heading to the Senate floor, after passing its last committee Tuesday.
Sen. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) is carrying the Senate resolution, saying sorry to those who say they endured sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at two reform schools.
“Senate Resolution 1440 recognizes the widespread and considerable abuse that took place at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Okeechobee and Marianna,” he said. “It expresses regrets for this shameful part of our history, sincerely apologizes on behalf of the legislature, and declares a commitment to make sure that these atrocities and tragedies never occur again.”
The Florida House already passed a similar resolution last week. They also passed a bill allowing for two Dozier memorials in Marianna and Tallahassee for the unclaimed remains of victims believed to have died from the abuse and were buried on the grounds in unmarked graves.
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