Florida Catholic | Legislator Awards

DAY TWO | 03.12.08

Legislator awards

MARY ST. PIERRE | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

TALLAHASSEE | When Michael Sheedy, Florida Catholic Conference, associate director for health, made his way to the podium for the award’s presentations, I wondered what words of thanks the recipients would offer. Rep. Anitere Flores, recipient of the 2008 Defensor Vitae (Defender of Life) for her ongoing, courageous and valiant defense of the sanctity of life. She made it clear it has not been easy and spoke about the challenges she faces daily as a firm believer in the consistent ethic of life. Flores admitted there are mornings she would like to just stay in bed and let the other side win without a fight from one who believes all life is sacred. When Rep. Flores was running for the House of Representatives, she remembers thinking — “I can do a better job then that guy.”

After being voted in, Rep. Flores said the reality of her job often takes a toll on her desire to keep fighting for what is right, but like most Catholics, the dark moments bring her to prayer and it is there she let’s God take over so his voice is heard. Progress is being made, Flores reminded everyone in pointing out the parental notification bill is one example where voters said yes to a pro-life cause. Rep. Flores chairs the Florida House of Representatives Committee on Pre-K-12 Education.

After Rep. Flores’ moving acceptance speech, Sheila Hopkins, associate director for social concerns/respect life presented Rep. Bill Galvano with the FCC Defensor Dignitatis (Defend of Dignity) Award for his ongoing efforts to protect the human dignity of the residents of Florida. From the beginning of his career as a legislator, Rep. Galvano has shown passion and respect for the dignity of the human person. He has worked to seek health insurance for the poor and uninsurable supported Florida’s KidCare program, which would expand health care coverage for uninsured children.

In 2007, Rep. Galvano sponsored a land contamination bill requiring proper notification to communities like Tallavest, just outside of his district, where the county and Department of Environmental Protection had knowledge of contamination for four years before action was taken.

Two years ago, Rep. Galvano sponsored a bill to create the office of Child Protection. Last year, he similarly sponsored a bill that expanded the office’s responsibilities and is now known as the Office of Adoption and Child Abuse Prevention. Under this office, the Children’s Cabinet and the Child Abuse Prevention and Permanency Council will be looking closely at how the state can move into prevention strategies to protect children and encourage adoption of children from state foster care.

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