Fuller Warren
Fuller Warren (
October 3,
1905 –
September 23,
1973) was the 30th
governor of
Florida.
Born in
Blountstown, Florida, he attended the
University of Florida in
Gainesville. While attending the university, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives at the age of 21 in
1927. Following graduation, he moved to
Jacksonville, Florida and began practicing law. He served on the
city council from
1931 until
1937 and returned to the Florida House in
1939. During
World War II, he was a gunnery officer in the
U.S. Navy. During the election for governor in
1948, the debate over whether
Florida would become a "dry state" heated up. When asked on what he felt about banning the sale of alcohol, Warren replied famously:
"If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I'm against it. But if you mean the elixir of Christmas cheer, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little crippled children, then I'm for it. This is my position, and I will not compromise."Fuller Warren won the election and assumed the office of governor on
January 4,
1949. During his term, he set the foundations for the state's
turnpike system, began the Florida
reforestation program, quality control programs on Florida's citrus crops were instituted and new laws were established that forbade cattle to wander freely. After he left office on
January 6,
1953 he moved to
Miami, Florida and practiced law. He ran for governor again in
1956, but lost the election. He died in Miami in
1973.
The
Fuller Warren Bridge in
Jacksonville, Florida is named for him.
*
Official Governor's portrait and biography from the State of Florida
