ORLANDO, Fla. – Harris Rosen Way now marks a section of International Drive, honoring a man whose name is synonymous with Central Florida.
Rosen, a beloved businessman, hotelier and philanthropist, passed away last year at 85.
The official street sign was unveiled on Friday, recognizing Harris Rosen’s lasting impact on the community.
[WATCH: Remembering Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen following death]
The bill, filed in the Florida House and Senate by State Sen. Kristen Arrington, D-Kissimmee, and State Rep. Rita Harris, D-Orlando, was unanimously passed by the state legislature this year.
The location of Harris Rosen Way, on International Drive between Sand Lake Road and State Road 528, was chosen because of the many Rosen businesses that line it.
Rosen bought his first hotel on International Drive in 1974, gradually building a hotel empire that includes seven locations in the tourist area, including the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, the Rosen Centre and the Rosen Plaza.
“The record shows as of this day that Harris Rosen did it his way,” said Joshua Rosen, executive vice president of Rosen Hotels & Resorts and son of Harris Rosen.
“My favorite interpretation of Harris Rosen Way is what I believe Dad would want,” he said. “Everyone’s takeaway from it is not a boast, but a call to action, not necessarily to do things exactly the way the dad would have, but a reminder that here in America, where anything is possible, that when your head and your heart are in alignment, telling you there has got to be a better way, even when everyone and everything else seems to be against you, to trust in yourself and to do it your way.”
[WATCH: Orange County breaks ground on community center in Tangelo Park]
Rosen’s legacy lives on through his generous contributions to the region.
District 6 Orange County Commissioner Michael Scott grew up in Tangelo Park, a community Rosen entered in the early 90s to offer classes, preschool, mentoring programs and scholarships. He praised Rosen’s commitment to the community.
“I’ve known Mr. Rosen since 2011,” he said. “My journey as a young person and the benefit of it, to elected service, to kind of follow in his footsteps, but in a different path. It’s just amazing. You don’t have a lot of people that are intentional about caring for others, and Mr. Rosen was intentional about caring for people.”
Frank Santos, president and CEO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, said Rosen’s mission lives on.
“Harris guides me every day. Everything I do is in the spirit of Harris. I was with Harris for 39 years, and I believe that I understand his culture, his motivation to always get back and help others who might need a helping hand,” Santos said.
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