Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 11-30-18

Feature
House Democratic Head Names New Floor Leaders
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, Florida House Democratic Leader Kionne L. McGhee selected three legislators to serve as the Democratic Floor Leaders. The appointees represent their respective districts won during the last election.
Rep. McGhee said, “As we transition into a new leg- islative year, I am confident of the progress this caucus will achieve. I am thrilled and honored to appoint such ded- icated public servants and know that they will success- fully execute these pivotal roles in order to launch for- ward into a new era of coop- eration.
“We look forward to forg- ing the kind of legislative pri- orities that will work to serve the best interests of Floridi-
REP. KIONNE McGHEE House Democratic Leader
ans,” he said.
The newly appointed
Florida House of Representa- tives Democratic Floor Lead- ers are: Ben Diamond, Rep. District 68; Dianne Hart, Rep. District 61; and Geral- dine Thompson, Rep. Dis- trict 44.
Rep. Ben Diamond is a graduate of Yale University, where he earned his B. A. in
REP. BEN DIAMOND District 68
2000. He earned his J. D. De- gree from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law.
A practicing attorney, Rep. Diamond is married and the father of 3 children. He was first elected to serve in public office in 2016.
Rep. Dianne Hart is a Tampa native and graduate of Springfield College, where she earned a B. S. degree in
REP. DIANNE HART District 61
Human Services. She is the mother of 3 children.
Elected to serve in No- vember 2018, Rep. Hart is the only Freshman Legislator chosen to serve as a Floor Leader.
Rep. Hart, who is a small business owner said, “I’m honored to have been ap- pointed by House Democratic Leader Kionne McGhee to serve as a floor leader.
“Now more than ever it is crucial for Democrats to stand united as a caucus to pass legislation that will im- prove the lives of all Floridi- ans. I look forward to working alongside my Democratic col- leagues and ensuring that no Floridian is left behind,” she said.
Rep. Geraldine Thompson was first elected
REP. GERALDINE THOMPSON District 44
to serve in a public office in 2006. She is a graduate of Miami-Dade Community Col- lege, the University of Miami, where she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree, and graduate of Florida State Uni- versity, where she earned her Master’s Degree.
A retired college adminis- trator, Rep. Thompson is married and the mother of 3 children.
The newly appointed Democratic Floor Leaders will serve as liaisons between the Democratic Leader and the Office of the Speaker and Rules Committee. They will also manage the debate of Democratic members when special procedures have been implemented on bills and amendments for floor de- bates.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018