Madam Speaker, this Black History Month, I am celebrating Tampa’s health care heroes. I rise today in immense gratitude of a life of service led by Heddie Sumpter, whose contributions of her time and talents are a living example of selfless service to others. Born in 1955 in Donalsonville, GA, and raised in Detroit, MI, where her family worked in the automotive industry, Heddie moved to… Read more »

Madam Speaker, this Black History Month, I am celebrating Tampa’s health care heroes. I rise today in admiration and respect for the service and leadership of Dr. Kevin Sneed, a tenured professor and the founding dean of the University of South Florida (USF) College of Pharmacy. Born in 1968, he was raised in Orlando, FL. His parents were both public school teachers and were part of the… Read more »

Madam Speaker, this Black History Month, I am celebrating Tampa’s health care heroes. Today I rise in admiration and respect for the public service and leadership of Dr. Dana Darien Glenn, who proudly serves our Veterans as Women’s Center Medical  Director  at the James A. Haley Veterans (VA) Hospitals and Clinics in Tampa, FL. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1966, she relocated to… Read more »

Madam Speaker, this Black History Month, I am celebrating Tampa’s health care heroes. Today I rise in immense gratitude for the life of service of retired pastor, Dr. Patrick Emmanuel Vincent, who because of his vision and leadership, approximately 1,500 of our neighbors of the East Tampa community have a medical home and access to free health care through the Calvary Community Clinic.… Read more »

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true “Man of Vision,” Mr. Ross Anderson.  He was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and has left an indelible mark in our hometown. Mr. Anderson graduated from Hillsborough High School and the University of South Florida. He received his graduate degrees from Columbia Southern University and Waldorf College, respectively. While Mr. Anderson takes… Read more »

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a jurist who has served our Tampa neighbors for decades – and continues his dedication to this day. Through his work spanning more than 40 years and as the second African American appointed to the bench in Hillsborough County, which is the longest tenure for an African American judge in the county’s history, Judge Perry A. Little has helped shape our… Read more »

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of Florida’s most distinguished jurists - and one of the highest integrity. Judge Marva L. Crenshaw was born in 1951 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, one of seven children. A child of faith, naturally reflective in her calm demeanor, she would epitomize a commitment to justice and the judicial temperament that would distinguish her service on the… Read more »

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Dena Gross Leavengood, a tireless advocate for Florida, our Tampa Bay community and indeed our planet. Her determined advocacy has left a profound impact on our community and almost impossible shoes to fill.  A Florida native, Dena graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Florida and received her… Read more »

Madam Speaker, I rise today in admiration and respect to honor the life and unselfish works of Amy Shimberg. Amy’s remarkable contributions to our hometown of Tampa had a tremendous impact on our neighbors and is worthy of recognition. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren, brother and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved very much. Amy was born,… Read more »

I am saddened to hear of the passing of a truly great Floridian, Sandy D'Alemberte.  As it does for so many, his passing pains me both personally and for our state and country. Sandy was a voice for reason, the rule of law, decency and kindness - a "necessary man" for all his time and certainly for these times. It is enough to remember him as a brilliant legislator, president of… Read more »