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 »
Madam Speaker, I rise today in admiration and respect to honor the life of true civil rights champion, James Hammond. Retired Lt. Col. U.S. Army James Hammond was born on November 11th - Veterans Day, a fitting beginning for a man who would give so much to our state and our country. A pioneering civil rights leader, Mr. Hammond helped shape my hometown of Tampa and we… Read more »
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the living legacy of Dr. Juel Smith. Her story starts in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where she was born and graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1960. She married and became a mother of five children. Tragedy struck her and her family when her husband suddenly passed away, and Dr. Smith became a widow. She realized that pursuing higher education was her best… Read more »
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor beloved community leader, Florida State Representative Betty Reed. She was raised in Thomasville, Georgia, in a close-knit family of hardworking sharecroppers and with 12 other siblings. Representative Reed and her husband, James, moved to Tampa after he was discharged from the military to raise a family of their own.
Representative Reed was an active… Read more »
