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ProcCamatim
<br />HONORING DALE DAWKINS
<br />-Whereas, Indian River County celebrates African American Pioneers who, through their service in the
<br />business, public, and elected arenas, have paved the way for this and future generations; and
<br />-Whereas, Dale Dawkins, a native son of Indian River County, was born in 1966 to Henry and Verdell,
<br />and developed into one of Vero Beach High's all-time greatest athletes, graduating in the Class of 1986; and
<br />-Whereas, Dale received both football and basketball scholarships from the University of Miami,
<br />eventually choosing to play wide receiver for legendary coach Jimmy Johnson and winning two NCAA National
<br />Championship rings between 1987 and 1990; and
<br />-Whereas, Dale advanced to the National Football League as a 1990 draftee of the New York Jets,
<br />playing with the team for four years and winning the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award in 1992 for excellence
<br />in team leadership and perseverance in overcoming a potentially career -ending leg injury; and
<br />-Whereas, upon retiring in 1994, Dale returned to Vero Beach as an entrepreneur, public speaker, and
<br />founder of ProFitness of the Treasure Coast, where he held sports camps and small group athletic training before
<br />branching out as a minister at St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church, gaining ordination as Assistant Pastor and
<br />overseeing operations of existing ministries and associated staff, starting new ministries, providing personal
<br />training for young athletes, and serving as Dean of Students at St. Peter's Academy Charter School; and
<br />-Whereas, in 2005, Dale's entrepreneurial spirit led him and his family to Bozeman, Montana, where he
<br />founded ProFitness of Montana, a non-profit organization that sponsors annual basketball tournaments, teaches
<br />kids, and funds scholarships for young adults seeking to further their educational and athletic goals; and
<br />-Whereas, after returning to Vero Beach in 2017, Dale has again immersed himself in his hometown,
<br />coaching football at VBHS, continuing as Dean of Students at St. Peter's, and starting C4L Charities, a
<br />partnership organization that most recently produced the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Parade in 2022.
<br />Naw, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Indian
<br />River County, ,Florida, that the pioneer spirit and civic contributions of Dale Dawkins have positively
<br />impacted the lives of many Indian River County and Treasure Coast residents, and that the Board extends its
<br />heartfelt thanks for his tireless efforts within our community.
<br />Adopted this 21St day of February, 2023. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,
<br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
<br />Joseph H. Earman, Chairman
<br />Susan Adams, Vice Chairman
<br />Joseph E. Flescher
<br />Deryl Loar
<br />Laura Moss
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