[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 53 (Monday, March 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF JANICE KAMINIS PLATT IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 2009

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, in recognition of Women's 
History Month, I rise today to honor Janice Kaminis Platt, a devoted 
advocate for our natural environment, high ethical standards, and 
education in the Tampa Bay area. Ms. Platt's life is an example of true 
integrity in public service.
  Ms. Platt was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and is a 1958 graduate 
of Florida State University where she was the Vice-President of the 
student body, President of the Student Council and was a member of Phi 
Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, and Hall of Fame. Later in 
life, from 2004-2006, Ms. Platt returned to her roots, serving as the 
Chair of the Tampa Bay Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association.
  Ms. Platt's love of Tampa Bay's natural environment formed her strong 
advocacy for growth management and environmental protections. She was 
never afraid to say ``no'' to special interests who sought unwise or 
untimely permission to promote development or environmental harm.
  Ms. Platt was elected to serve on the Tampa City Council from 1974-
1978 and then elected to serve as a commissioner on the Hillsborough 
Board of County Commissioners from 1978-1994 and from 1996-2004. She 
also served as chair of the commission several times during her tenure.
  Ms. Platt was named as a member of the American Library Association's 
``Freedom to Read Honor Roll'' and received the ``Best Friend of the 
Year'' award from the Friends of the Library of Hillsborough County, 
Inc. in 1999. In honor of her committed work with libraries and 
education, the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library was dedicated to her 
on December 11, 2000. Hillsborough Head Start is viewed as a model 
among other institutions nationwide because of Jan Platt's guiding hand 
over many years.
  Her extensive list of awards and achievements is remarkable. She has 
received more than fifty, demonstrating how much time and energy she 
devotes to truly making a difference. Her awards include: the Florida 
State University Distinguished Alumna for the College of Social 
Sciences Award, The University of Tampa Ethics Award, the Mortar Board 
Distinguished Lifetime Member Award, and the Don Hansen Conservationist 
of the Year Award.
  In her lifetime as a public servant Ms. Platt has been a member of 
more than 40 community Boards and has served as chair of more than 20 
of these organizations. Ms. Platt was also a distinguished member of 
the Constitutional Revision Commission.
  Madam Speaker, Jan Platt is an incredible woman who has dedicated her 
life to improving reading education in Tampa. I was proud to call her a 
colleague. She served as one of my most important role models of what a 
public servant should be. I join many others to applaud her lifelong 
contribution to the Tampa Bay community.

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