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U. S. Representatives Introduce Resolution Honoring Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Wednesday (Feb. 24th), U. S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL14), Gus Bili- rakis (FL12) and Charlie Crist (FL13) introduced a res- olution honoring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their de- cisive Super Bowl LV victory.
“It’s been an incredible year for Tampa Bay sports, and there was no better way to start 2021 than with a Bucs Super Bowl win,” said Rep. Castor. “We’re proud that our sports teams have given us so much to cheer for during a difficult year, and I’m proud to join my Florida colleagues in recognizing the Buccaneers for their incredible win on the House Floor.”
“In the Tampa Bay Region we’ve been incredibly blessed this year to have all three of our major sports teams reach their respective Champi- onships,” said Rep. Bili- rakis. “With the Bucs winning the Super Bowl, Tampa Bay has solidified itself
as Title Town USA. Fire the Cannons! Raise the Flags!”
“Sports have long been a great unifier, and in these challenging times, CHAMPA BAY has been truly blessed, now sharing in the joy of a Bucs championship,” said Rep. Crist. “It’s an honor to recognize their Super Bowl victory, but also their commit- ment to our community – both on and off the field – from the players, managers, coaches and ownership. It’s all a team effort. Go Bucs!”
The Representatives pre- sented a 3-page resolution congratulating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for winning Super Bowl LV. The resolution rec- ognized so many other acco- lades the team accomplished.
In conclusion the Resolu- tion read, “Be it Resolved That the House of Representatives congratulates and honors the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their hard fought victory in Super Bowl LV.
Tampa Bay History Center Names Fred Hearns Curator Of Black History
The Tampa Bay History Center has named historian and long-time community ad- vocate Fred Hearns as their Curator of Black History.
Hearns joins Saunders Foundation Curator of Public History Dr. Brad Massey and Touchton Map Library Director Rodney Kite-Pow- ell, adding depth to the His- tory Center’s curatorial ranks as they take on new commu- nity initiatives, such as assist- ing with research on lost African American cemeteries, revamping part of the History Center’s permanent exhibit galleries, and collecting 2020-related artifacts as part of their Tampa Bay Stories effort.
Hearns has a long tenure with the History Center. In 2004, then-mayor Pam Iorio appointed him to rep- resent the City on the History Center’s Board of Trustees. It was a pivotal time, as plans were underway for a new His- tory Center to be constructed along a proposed 2.6-mile Riverwalk.
“I was thrilled that I got to have some input into how the history of Black people in
FRED HEARNS Historian
Tampa should be reflected and honored,” says Hearns. “Along with several other trustees, I got to sign my name on a beam as the new facility was topped out. So I'm literally a part of this story.”
Hearns has remained a mainstay of History Center programming, frequently ap- pearing as a guest lecturer for educational programs at the museum. In 2017, he worked to develop the History Cen- ter’s Central Avenue Black History Walking Tour, which he led for three years.
“In a way, Fred has al-
ways been a part of this or- ganization,” said C. J. Roberts, the History Cen- ter’s President and CEO. “He served as a Trustee, he’s led walking tours, and has served as an advisor and supporter for more than a decade,” he said. “Hiring him as Curator of Black History formalizes his ongoing involvement with the History Center.”
When Hearns steps into his new role at the History Center, he’ll start a new chap- ter in a career more than 40 years in the making.
The Bronx native and adopted Tampa son grew up in East Tampa and graduated from USF. After graduating, he worked as a journalist be- fore being hired by the City of Tampa in 1975. He retired as Director of the Department of Community Affairs under Pam Iorio in 2007, a 32- year run.
Soon after, he had a new title: Tour Guide. Hearns led more than 300 tours through Tampa’s historic neighbor- hoods over more than a decade in business.
As a history consultant for the City of Tampa and several private developers, he weighed in on major infra- structure projects including the Encore Housing Develop- ment and Perry Harvey Park. As a community volunteer, he worked to re-establish his alma mater, Middleton High School, and led the charge to build both the 78th Street Community Library and a new Robert W. Saunders Public Library.
Hearns holds two Mas- ter’s Degrees, one in Africana Studies from USF and an- other in Organizational Man- agement and Leadership from Springfield College. He has two books, “Getting it Done: Rebuilding Black America Brick By Brick” and “It’s Your Move!” about the Rev. Abraham Brown, to his name. For now, he’s put his Ph.D. coursework at USF on hold and, this spring, he will begin a new chapter with a new title: Curator of Black History at the Tampa Bay History Center.
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