[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E513-E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TONI JENNINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 2003

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker I rise today to 
congratulate Florida's new Lieutenant Governor, Toni Jennings, who was 
appointed Monday by Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
  I served with Toni in the Florida State Senate and I know from 
working with her in that capacity what a dedicated public servant she 
is.
  A Florida native and the first woman to hold this post in Florida's 
history, Toni brings a wealth of legislative knowledge and dedication 
to the State of Florida with her to the Executive Branch.
  Toni was the youngest woman ever elected to the State Legislature 
when she took office

[[Page E514]]

in 1976 at the age of 27. In 1980, she was elected to the Florida 
Senate where in 1996 she became the first woman ever elected as 
President of the Florida Senate. In 2000 she became the first senator 
ever to be elected to two consecutive terms as Senate President. 
Senators trusted Toni. The House leadership trusted Toni and the voters 
trusted Toni.
  She was also the first woman Minority Leader in either house of the 
legislature serving two terms, from 1983-84 and from 1986-88 while in 
the Senate.
  A former fifth-grade teacher, Toni was a strong champion of education 
issues in the Senate and earned a reputation as such. Toni instilled in 
every senator that there were no ``Ds'' or ``Rs'' in TEAM.
  I am proud to say she's the Lieutenant Governor of my state and I 
know Florida is lucky to have her. Congratulations, Toni.

                          ____________________