A bill to designate Oct. 14 as a day to honor Charlie Kirk has cleared its first Senate committee stop.
The Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee advanced SB 194 with a 5-2 vote down party lines.
Kirk, a right-wing political activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed in September while speaking at a Utah university. A 22-year-old Utah man has been charged with killing him.
Under SB 194, the Governor would issue a proclamation every Oct. 14 — Kirk’s birthday — for the “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance.”
“Charlie Kirk made a national impact by encouraging young Americans to think critically, engage in civic life, and stand up for constitutional freedoms. He inspired millions to participate in public dialogue, defend their beliefs, respectfully, and understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. His work helped build a movement of young leaders who are active in promoting limited government, free speech, and American values,” said Sen. Jonathan Martin, the bill sponsor, during Tuesday’s committee hearing.
“The day does not create a state holiday or mandate closures. It simply recognizes contributions that shape a generation.”
But Democrats against the bill questioned Kirk’s history of controversial comments about race, women and guns.
“Florida reserves days of remembrance for individuals whose legacy strengthens our democracy, advances justice and uplift humanity. Charlie Kirk is not such a figure,” Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis said.
Bracy Davis read some of his remarks to Martin during the debate.
“Are you aware of Charlie Kirk’s public statements minimizing racism and denying systemic discrimination? Do you believe those views reflect the values of Floridians?” the Ocoee Democrat asked. “How do you justify designating a state remembrance day for someone who publicly claims Black women lack basic intelligence and only succeed by stealing opportunities?”
Martin argued Kirk’s remarks were often taken out of context.
“I’m actually very thankful that you asked that question because now when people are watching here on the Florida Channel, I’m sure much of this will be retweeted,” Martin told Davis.
“I think it’s extremely important that when somebody analyzes what someone says, you look at 100% of the context and where they’re speaking, who they’re speaking to, and also that you don’t just take out a one-minute or a 30-second or a 15-second clip, especially when someone’s speaking for hours on end.”
Sen. Tina Polsky, a Boca Raton Democrat, didn’t buy it.
She pushed back and argued Kirk didn’t deserve to be in a class with Ronald Reagan to have the statewide honor.
“What this man said, how does he deserve a day of remembrance? To be in Florida’s statute forever and ever along with only one other human being, Ronald Reagan? There have been so many other people who have been assassinated or important political figures that we do not have these days for,” Polsky said as she called the bill another divisive legislation from Republicans.
“It makes me feel disgusting inside,” she added.
Martin defended his bill before the vote.
“The message we’re sending this bill — and the only message we’re sending in this bill — is that it is not OK to have political violence,” he said.
