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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Contact:
Michele M. Taylor
Associate Director for Communications
(850) 205-6817
mtaylor@flacathconf.org
Catholic
Bishops of Florida honor
Representative Will Weatherford with Defensor Parentum
Award
Tallahassee,
FL
– At the annual Catholic Days at the Capitol luncheon,
Representative Will W. Weatherford was presented with the
Florida Catholic Conference Defensor Parentum (Defender
of Parents) Award for his untiring, courageous and committed
defense of parents in the education of their children. In
attendance at the luncheon, held Wednesday, March 10, 2010, were
the bishops of Florida, several members of the Florida
legislature and approximately 350 Catholic faithful representing
each of the state’s seven dioceses.
James
Herzog, Associate Director for Education at the Florida Catholic
Conference, introduced Rep. Weatherford and acknowledged his
efforts with respect to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
Program this year and in years prior. “Throughout his
legislative career, Representative Weatherford has been a
defender of parents’ rights to choose the best education for
their children,” Herzog said. “He has sponsored key legislation
that helps low-income families to have better educational
options, from kindergarten to twelfth grade.”
During the
introduction, Herzog shared former Governor Jeb Bush’s remarks
on the award, "Will Weatherford's emergence as a leader is a
blessing for Florida’s parents and families who want choices for
a quality education."
In his
acceptance speech, Rep. Weatherford thanked luncheon attendees
for their support of his sponsorship of this year’s House Bill
1009, which will incrementally increase the amount of the
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. He also asked those present to
pray for him and his colleagues in the legislature as they serve
the state during difficult economic times.
Rep.
Weatherford represents District 61, Wesley Chapel, which
includes parts of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, and was first
elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2006. He
presently serves as chair of the Education Policy Council in the
Florida House of Representatives.
Catholic
Days at the Capitol is held annually during the Florida
Legislative Session. Catholics from around the state gather in
Tallahassee for a legislative briefing before attending
scheduled meetings with their elected officials. Each year,
during a luncheon for participants, selected lawmakers are
honored for their work in the Florida Legislature. Click
here for a list of past award recipients.
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