Leroy Collins was the 33rd Governor of Florida. He had a profound impact on the Civil Rights movement in Florida. Collins saw the movement as both a legal and moral test. He questioned whether “This democracy of ours has the toughness of spirit, the humanitarian will, the strength under law to meet a crisis like this and still remain free.” Collins points out several important goals of the Civil Rights movement. Collins demonstrated the willingness to stand up for civil rights.

  The 33rd Governor of Florida gave up his job to work for a civil rights agency. He said, “It’s a big test of our time.” Collins notes that standing up for civil rights using violence is not the right move. People had to get there point across by standing together, because unity causes more of an impact than violence. If someone is acting against the law, they would not be able to get help from the civil rights agency.

  Collins stood for civil rights, but at the same time he was strict about it. When Collins mentions civil rights, he calls it a problem. This statement indicates that he realized there were people willing to break the law and others that needed to enforce the law. He noted, the people that break the law are just causing riots, and that does not help anyone.

  He believed people could make progress with peaceful protest, but the police may still arrest them. This is the crux of what he calls a problem. He felt, that those who resort to violence struck a blow on tyranny. He gave up a political career to serve to serve and assist in the Civil Rights movement. Over all, it paid off.

  Collins passed away March 12, 1991. The sacrifice he made in his career choice had an impacted on today. His memory will live on in today’s society. There are still problems today, but they are not as bad as it used to be. There will always be a problem to rise, but there are also always people like Collins to find the solution.