Mr. Speaker, each year I am honored to recognize the outstanding and invaluable contributions of the African American community that have built this great Nation. The enduring impact and lasting legacy of countless African Americans must always be appreciated. Every year I pay tribute to African American men and women who exemplify this spirit of selfless and patriotic service. Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Mr. Sydney Potter.  As our neighbors in the Tampa Bay area know, you cannot talk about Sydney without also talking about his amazing wife, Thalia. Sydney and Thalia were true partners dedicated to their family and to serving our community. Sydney passed recently, but today I am happy to honor their countless… Read more »

Mr. Speaker: I rise today to celebrate Black History Month and to recognize a remarkable leader of the Tampa Bay community, Dr. Carolyn Collins. Her work as a public healthcare advocate, champion of education, and a broadcaster stand as a powerful testament to a lifetime of public service. After graduating from Howard W. Blake High School in the Tampa Bay area in 1965, Dr. Collins earned… Read more »

Mr. Speaker: I rise today to honor the life and legacy of an outstanding leader of the Tampa Bay community, Dottie Berger MacKinnon. Her tireless crusade to better the lives of neglected and abused children is an inspiration to the Tampa Bay community and to this great nation. Among Mrs. Berger MacKinnon’s numerous accomplishments is her work in founding charities that support needy… Read more »

Mr. Speaker:  I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Mr. Frederick Karl. His extensive contributions to numerous private and public agencies, including all levels of government in Florida, have left an unforgettable legacy for community leaders across the country to learn from and follow. Mr. Karl was born in Daytona, Florida, where he attended high school and was… Read more »

Mr. Speaker:  I rise today to celebrate Black History Month and to honor and highlight the distinguished career of Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich. Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich’s contributions to civil rights, education, and public service have left an indelible mark on our country. Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich has dedicated the majority of her life to public service. Born in Niagra Falls, New York,… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Mr. Vyrle Davis. His contributions to education and social reform in the Tampa Bay community and throughout the state of Florida are worthy of recognition by all. Mr. Davis, a native of the Tampa Bay community, attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, before beginning his teaching career at 16th Street… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lifetime of achievements and career of Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright, Sr. Dr. Wright's desire to help others, along with his achievements and service to the Tampa Bay community is worthy of recognition by all. A native Floridian, Dr. Wright grew up in Boynton Beach. In 1974, he graduated, with honors, from the University of Florida with a… Read more »

Mr. Speaker:  I rise today to honor and highlight the distinguished life of Bill McBride.  Mr. McBride’s contributions to the Tampa Bay community, the state of Florida, and the country are worthy of recognition by all. Born on May 10, 1945, Mr. McBride moved to Florida at the age of 9 and spent most of his childhood in Leesburg, Florida where he attended high school and… Read more »

Mr. Speaker: I rise today to honor the life and career of Lee Roy Selmon, a Hall of Fame football player and a pillar of the Tampa Bay community. As a player, Lee Roy Selmon was one of the greatest Buccaneers of all time, and his post-football career was equally distinguished. The youngest of nine children, Lee Roy Selmon would join two of his older brothers on the defensive line at… Read more »