Gabrielle Russon
Orlando recently lost two giants — Sen. Geraldine Thompson and hotelier Harris Rosen — and now the Legislature is advancing a bill to honor them.
The Senate unanimously passed a committee substitute for SB 274 to rename a stretch of two roadways after Thompson and Rosen in Orange County. The measure passed 38-0.
Rosen, CEO of Rosen Hotels and Resorts and a beloved local philanthropist, died Nov. 25 at age 86. As the largest independent hotelier in Florida, he spent millions on a variety of causes such as helping local students go to school, cancer research and more.
Thompson, 76, who had represented Orlando in the House or Senate for nearly two decades, died Feb. 13 at age 76. She was remembered as a civil rights activist and someone who fought for Black history to be remembered.
The roads to honor them are significant to their legacies.
Harris Rosen Way would be located in the busy tourism corridor near his hotels, on International Drive between State Road 528 and Sand Lake Road.
Geraldine Thompson Way would be designated on West South Street between South Division Avenue and U.S. 441, going by the Wells’Built Museum of American-American History where Thompson was once the Director.
“She was an icon, a champion for the people of Orlando as well as the state of Florida,” said Sen. Tracie Davis, a Jacksonville Democrat.
The designation markers would cost $4,800, according to staff analysis of the bill.
The House version of the bill (HB 177) cleared the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee and is now in the Commerce Committee.
In a nod of bipartisan support, the Senate voted Thursday to cosponsor the measure originally brought by Sen. Kristen Arrington.
“I just want to say it is such an honor to be able to run this,” said Arrington, a first-term Democratic Senator from Kissimmee. “I truly am honored, and love, that this is going to be the first bill that I passed on the Senate floor.”
If passed, the bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
