Catholic Bishops of Florida honor
Representatives Flores and Galvano with “Defensor” awards

Tallahassee, FL – As part of the annual Catholic Days at the Capitol events, selected lawmakers were honored for their work in the Florida legislature at a luncheon on Wednesday, March 12, 2008.  Those in attendance included the bishops of Florida and over 240 faithful from throughout the seven Catholic dioceses in Florida.

Representative Anitere Flores, District 114, Miami, receives Defensor Vitae Award
Rep. Anitere Flores was presented with the Florida Catholic Conference Defensor Vitae (Defender of Life) Award for her ongoing, courageous and valiant defense of the sanctity of life. 

In 2005, she was one of the small number of House champions to actively push for the Women’s Health and Safety Act, which gave the Department of Health/Agency for Health Care Administration the authority it needed to regulate abortion clinics.   

Last year, at the outset of her second term in the Florida legislature, Rep. Flores filed legislation that would establish an ethical and productive state policy for stem cell research funding. Governor Crist subsequently endorsed her bill, and her efforts opened the debate on this topic and clarified for many the successes made using adult and core blood stem cells. 

Michael Sheedy, Associate Director for Health, Florida Catholic Conference, introduced Rep. Flores, “It has been my pleasure to work with her and to witness her commitment and courage”.  Sheedy continued, “Not everyone sees the importance of defending human life from conception to natural death, regardless of age, health status, ethnic origin, or creed, but she does, and she has truly invested herself in the defense of life”.

Rep. Flores, joined at the luncheon by her mother, Ana Maria Flores, and legislative assistant, Maria Chamorro, gave a moving acceptance speech.  She highlighted the important role Catholic Days participants play in communicating their positions on issues to their elected officials and thanked those who traveled from all corners of the state to participate in the events.

Rep. Flores, elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2004, is a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, Florida International University and the University of Florida’s school of law.  She is married to Dustin Anderson. 

Rep. Flores currently chairs the Florida House of Representatives Committee on Pre-K-12 Education. 

Representative Bill Galvano, District 68, Bradenton, receives Defensor Dignitatis Award
Representative Bill Galvano was presented with the Florida Catholic Conference Defensor Dignitatis (Defender 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.  His has shown concern that all individuals are able to obtain health insurance and has supported Florida’s Kidcare program, which would expand health care coverage for uninsured children.

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 it 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.

In 2005, 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.

In the civic arena, Rep. Galvano hosts an annual golf tournament in his deceased father’s name, Phil Galvano, which benefits Manatee Education Foundation, allowing schools to buy items that cannot be purchased with tax dollars.

Sheila Hopkins, Associate Director for Social Concerns/Respect Life, Florida Catholic Conference, stated in her introductory remarks, “We are privileged to work with Rep. Galvano on issues affecting the dignity of the human person, and it is with pleasure that we present this award to a true humanitarian”.

In attendance at the luncheon was his mother, Betty Galvano, a long-time Catholic Days at the Capitol participant, his sister Mary who has sung with the choir at the Annual Red Mass in Tallahassee and his legislative assistant, Kathy Galea. 

Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2002, Rep. Galvano is married to Julie and the father of Michael, William and Jacquelyn. The family resides in Bradenton, FL and attends both Saints Peter and Paul and Sacred Heart parishes. 

Rep. Galvano is past chair of the Bay Area Delegation and presently serves as chair of the Healthy Families Committee in the Florida House of Representatives.