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GOV. BUSH NAMES TONI JENNINGS AS LT.
GOVERNOR |
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| In This Issue: |
Governor's Press Release 3/3/03
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GOVERNOR BUSH NAMES TONI
JENNINGS AS LT. GOVERNOR
First Woman to Hold
the Office of Lt. Governor in Florida's
History
TALLAHASSEE-Governor Jeb Bush today
announced former State Senate President Toni
Jennings as his new Lt. Governor, replacing Frank
Brogan, who is leaving to serve as president of
Florida Atlantic University. Jennings, 53, a
native Orlando businesswoman and former two-term
State Senate President, will be the first woman in
Florida's history to serve in this
position.
"I'm excited to have enlisted
Toni Jennings to serve as my partner in this
endeavor. Her years of public service, as well as
her vast experience in the private sector, make
her uniquely qualified to be the next Lt. Governor
of Florida," Bush said.
"It's an honor to
have the opportunity to again serve the state of
Florida, and particularly to work with this
Governor, who has made improving education his top
priority," said Jennings. "I look forward to being
a part of his team."
"Toni's business,
legislative and education background will make her
an asset to the Governor, and for the state of
Florida," said outgoing Lt. Governor Frank Brogan.
As Lt. Governor, Jennings will work
closely with Governor Bush to promote and advance
his legislative agenda, and will also serve as a
conduit for agency issues with the Governor's
office.
Jennings currently serves as
President of Jack Jennings and Son, Inc., a
construction company in central Florida. This
year, she was elected chairman-elect of the
Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Her elected
public service career spans 24 years. She was the
youngest female ever elected to the Florida
Legislature, in 1976, and served an unprecedented
two consecutive terms as President of the Florida
Senate, from 1996-2000.
She is credited with
championing solutions to Florida's sky rocketing
workers' compensation costs, launching Florida's
successful efforts to move citizens from
welfare-to-work, and Florida's School Readiness
program. She is also a former teacher at Orlando's
Killarney Elementary. During her legislative
tenure, she was recognized by many of Florida's
top public and
private organizations for her
outstanding leadership.
Among those:
Legislator of the Year and Friend of Education
Award by the Florida School Board Association,
Florida Guardian of Small Businesses by the
National Federation of Independent Businesses,
Florida Wildlife Association/National Wildlife
Association Conservation Legislator of the Year
and twice received the Friend of the First
Amendment by the First Amendment Foundation.
Bush praised Lt. Governor Frank Brogan for
his four years of service to the state, and wished
him good luck with his future endeavors as FAU
President. "Frank's shoes will be hard to fill,
and I will miss his friendship, loyalty, and
particularly his wonderful sense of humor."
Jennings will assume the office of Lt.
Governor on Wednesday, March 5, at a swearing-in
ceremony in Orlando.
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