Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition President Jim Kallinger made the following statement today regarding the death of Frank Attkisson, former State Representative and Osceola County Commissioner:
“We mourn the tragic loss of Frank Attkisson along with every other Floridian that had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. In every capacity he held, he was fully committed to working hard and delivering results for the constituents he was elected to serve. His leadership and integrity will be missed.”
About Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition
The Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition is committed to educating, equipping, and mobilizing people of faith and like-minded individuals to be effective citizens. Together, the Coalition influences public policy and enacts legislation that strengthens families, promotes time-honored values, protects the dignity of life and marriage, lowers the tax burden on small business and families, and requires government to tighten its belt and live within its means.
ON THE WEB: www.ffcflorida.com
Jay Fant Statement on the Confirmation of Neil Gorsuch
Today, State Representative Jay Fant made the following statement following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch as the next Supreme Court Justice:
“Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation for the Supreme Court makes this a great day for America. His deep and abiding commitment to the U.S. Constitution combined with his humility, intellect, and fair-mindedness make him a superb addition to our nation’s highest court. He has demonstrated that Americans can count on him to respect the separation of powers and interpret the law rather than re-make it according to his personal political preferences. I look forward to the contributions his presence on the bench will make to our republic for generations to come.”
About Jay Fant for State Representative
Jay Fant’s strong ties to Jacksonville began when his grandfather’s family moved to the city in 1920. Jay’s father and grandfather have been local business and civic leaders, with both having served in elected office. In 1947, the family started First Guaranty Bank, one of the oldest banks in the city. In 1994, Jay was elected to serve on the board and led the company with his father through 2012. Jay has done much to continue the family tradition of investing in the community. He has been involved with many different organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Healthy U Now Foundation, Rotary, and the Florida Bankers Association. Jay and his wife, Lauren, have two sons and two daughters. They attend St. Johns Presbyterian Church. In his spare time, he coaches little league baseball and basketball.
ON THE WEB: www.jayfant.com
Paid by Jay Fant, Republican, for State Representative
Tax Reform Conference Call Tuesday at 11 am
MEDIA ADVISORY
Prospects for Tax Reform – View from the States
On Tuesday, April 11th at 11:00 A.M. ET, the National Black Chamber of Commerce will host a media teleconference to discuss the U.S. House of Representatives, Ways and Means Committee tax reform blueprint and the positive economic impact it will have on small and mid-sized businesses in states across the nation. The call will feature business voices from Florida, Nevada, and Louisiana who will give their perspective on how the blueprint’s pro-growth provisions—such as lower tax rates and full expensing—will enable local companies to expand and invest, creating jobs and bringing economic opportunity to their communities.
The NBCC reaches more than 100,000 African-American-owned small and mid-sized businesses and is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States.
WHO:
- Harry Alford, President and CEO, National Black Chamber of Commerce
- Barney Bishop, immediate past president of Associated Industries of Florida (Tallahassee, FL)
- Randi Thompson, State Director, National Federation of Independent Business (Reno, NV)
- Arnold Baker, former board chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Baker Ready Mix Concrete and Building Materials
WHAT: Media Conference Call
WHEN: Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 11:00 a.m. ET
CALL IN NUMBER: 1-888-225-8047
RSVP: [email protected]
Valrico woman claims $1 million prize playing new $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game
Wendy Raulerson poses with her oversized check after claiming a
$1 million prize in the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game.
The Florida Lottery announces that Wendy Raulerson, 44, of Valrico, claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $748,000.00.
Raulerson purchased her winning ticket from Erindale Food Mart, located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Road in Valrico. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The new $25 game, $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH, launched in February and features more than $549 million in total cash prizes, including two top prizes of $10 million and 46 prizes of $1 million! Overall odds of winning are one-in-2.89.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
Tampa-area student wins national and state Missing Children’s Day poster contests
Award-winning design by Audrey Link
When National Missing Children’s Day is recognized on May 25th, a Tampa area fifth-grader will be in the national and state spotlight for her award-winning design.
Audrey Link, a student at Resurrection Catholic School in Lakeland, is the winner of both the Florida and national Missing Children’s Day poster contests.
Audrey swept both contests with her intriguing colored pencil design, which shows a mom and dad reaching to hold the hands of their missing child, who can only be seen in her shadow.
“When I was brainstorming ideas I looked at last year’s winner and immediately thought shadows,” said Audrey. “I created this idea for my poster through a simple sketch. Afterword I thought of other goods ideas, but I ended up on this one. As you look at the picture, you should think of them once having a memory with a child, but now their child is missing.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse sponsors the contest in Florida and submitted Audrey’s 2017 winning poster to the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which sponsors the contest nationally.
The poster contest was organized to raise awareness of child safety and demonstrate the collaboration of various agencies to bring missing children home safely. The annual theme of National Missing Children’s Day is “Bringing Our Missing Children Home.”
Audrey has received an invitation to Tallahassee’s program and events recognizing Missing Children’s Day September 11th as well as an invitation to Washington, D.C., for the National Missing Children’s Day in May. Her poster will be used by DOJ and on billboards throughout the state via a partnership with the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association.
Twelve Florida College System students earn national scholarships
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Coca-Cola reward students’ hard work
During an awards ceremony in Tallahassee today, Florida College System Chancellor Madeline Pumariega honored the 127 Florida College System students who were named to the All-Florida Academic Team. Twelve of those students also earned scholarships ranging in value from $1,000 to $5,000 for demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence, intellectual rigor and community service.
Commissioner Pam Stewart said, “The Florida College System is recognized as a national model for its outstanding institutions, so it is no surprise that 12 of our colleges’ students were selected as recipients of these distinguished scholarships. I am pleased to congratulate these students and to thank Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Coca-Cola for investing in our students’ continued education.”
Chancellor Madeline Pumariega said, “As Chancellor of the Florida College System, it is my privilege to commend these students on the dedication they have shown to their studies and for the contributions they have made to their communities. These are just a few examples of the many truly remarkable students who make up the Florida College System.”
Listed below are Florida college students who are being recognized with national scholarships.
All-USA Community College Academic Team: Rachel Diaz, Miami Dade College
Rachel Diaz is one of only 20 students nationally to earn a spot on the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-USA Community College Academic Team, which includes a $5,000 scholarship. Currently, she is enrolled at The Honors College at Miami Dade College North Campus, where she is majoring in Economics. Rachel has demonstrated leadership and commitment to her community by developing a mentorship program for local students. With a long-term goal of becoming a lawyer, Rachel is looking forward to serving as an intern for the U.S. Department of State this summer.
Coca-Cola New Century Scholar Team: Veronica Aguilera, Florida SouthWestern State College
Veronica Aguilera earned a $2,000 scholarship as Florida’s Coca-Cola New Century Scholar. Currently, she serves as the President of Phi Theta Kappa and Vice President of Membership and Public Relations for National Collegiate Scholars. Veronica will continue her studies at Florida International University where she will major in Biology with a Pre-Med focus and a minor in Public Health.
Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team
A Coca-Cola Community Academic Team is selected annually by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation to recognize outstanding leadership, service to the community and academic excellence. Gold scholars are awarded with a $1,500 scholarship, silver scholars receive a $1,250 scholarship and bronze scholars receive a $1,000 scholarship.
- Gold Scholars
- Jayde Smelcer, Chipola College
- Elizabeth Varnum, Chipola College
- Juliana Arias, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
- Silver Scholars
- Jonathan Howell, Eastern Florida State College
- Geigh Olson, Florida Keys Community College
- Melissa De La Cruz, Hillsborough Community College
- Bronze Scholars
- Michele Khadir, Broward College
- Caleb Bockoras, Indian River State College
- Alexa Jauregui, Miami Dade College
- Jenifer Rodriguez, Miami Dade College
Gov. Rick Scott releases statement on Syria
Governor Rick Scott released the below statement following the Trump administration’s decision to conduct airstrikes against the Assad regime in Syria.
Governor Scott said, “President Trump took the right action and acted decisively. The Assad regime is responsible for the horrendous killings of innocent men, women and children. These chemical attacks against innocent Syrian people are sickening and it’s about time someone stood up for them. I appreciate our brave military heroes who conducted this mission.”
Law enforcement executives graduate from Florida Leadership Program
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute announces the graduation of 39 first-line supervisors from the Florida Leadership Academy on April 7, 2017. These graduates serve in leadership roles representing 22 criminal justice agencies throughout the state.
The graduates met for four week-long sessions at the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy in Fort Myers, Florida. They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges.
The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, which is housed within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and affiliated with the State University System, was established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to address the need for an innovative and multi-faceted approach to the education and training of criminal justice professionals.
Members of Class 38
Indian Harbour Beach Police Department
Shadrack Carter, Jr.
Cape Coral Police Department
Angela Fleming
David Gleason
Patrick O’Grady
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
Thomas Christensen
Christopher Maler
Clay County Sheriff’s Office
Thomas Cotchaleovitch
Mark Ottervanger
Collier County Sheriff’s Office
Melvin Gonzalez
Rebecca Gonzalez
Benjamin Lopez
Daniel McDonald
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Christian Coad
Shirley Padgett
Florida Department of Corrections
Richard Ferguson
Hugh Golden
Florida Department of Financial Services
Joseph Minervini
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Ellen Wilds
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Tracy Maurer
Andrew Watts
Alphonso Williams, Jr.
Mark Willis
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Michael Haney
William Holcomb
Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution
Tammy Wade
Jacksonville Beach Police Department
Laurence Smith
New Smyrna Beach Police Department
Christopher Kirk
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Jeffrey Kanehl
Michael Sherman
Plantation Police Department
Joseph Mercogliano
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Edwin Rodriguez
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
Ivan Nelson
Michelle Di Capua
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
Nilcia Marconi-Straker
Andrew Thomas
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
Kevin Kier
Jared Monie
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
Patrick Leahy
Justin Sawicki
Mast to convene Southern Reservoir Summit with local environmental groups
On Everglades Day, U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) will host a summit with local environmental groups on water quality and storage options south of Lake Okeechobee. Rep. Mast has been a vocal advocate of storing and directing water south of the lake to the Everglades and is committed to fighting for resources on the federal level to accomplish that goal.
WHO:
Rep. Mast
Bullsugar
Everglades Foundation
Rivers Coalition Members
National Parks Conservation Association
Audubon Florida
American Sportfishing Association
Everglades Trust
WHEN:
April 12, 2017
Meeting (closed press): 3:00 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
Meeting (b-roll and photos): 3:55 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Media Availability: 4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
WHERE:
201 SE Flagler Avenue
Stuart, FL 34994
RSVP:
Media please RSVP to [email protected].
WHAT:
With ongoing changes to plans on the state level, Rep. Mast will convene a summit to hear from local environmental groups about the impact that those plans would have on the Treasure Coast. He will reiterate his support for securing federal resources to help the state of Florida build storage and flow capacity south of Lake Okeechobee.
Sen. Bill Nelson statement on air strike in Syria
Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on the U.S. air strike in Syria:
“I support the administration’s strike on the air base that launched the chemical attack. I hope this teaches President Assad not to use chemical weapons again.”
