[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD STARK AS THE ELECTED OFFICIAL 
         OF THE YEAR BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF BROWARD COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 8, 2019

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize State Representative 
Richard Stark of Weston, Florida, a dedicated public servant and my 
good friend and who will be honored as the Elected Official of the Year 
by the Jewish Federation of Broward County.
  Richard attended New York public schools before receiving his 
Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver. He then moved to 
South Florida to join his family's furniture business. In 1990, he 
became an independent insurance agent, and today, operates a thriving 
independent agency specializing in life, health and insurance plans for 
seniors.
  After holding leadership positions with Temple B'Nai Aviv, Rotary 
Club of Weston, and the American Youth Soccer Organization, Richard was 
elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2012. Soon after, he 
was elected Chair of the Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus. Under his 
leadership, the Caucus has been instrumental in promoting legislation 
to combat the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, securing 
funding for human services needs in the Jewish community, and ensuring 
the security of Jewish Day Schools throughout our state. As a State 
Representative, he works closely with rabbis, Jewish community leaders, 
and Hillels at Florida State University to engage students in the 
policy process and grow the next generation of Jewish leaders.
  Richard currently Chairs the Broward County Legislative Delegation, 
serves as Deputy Leader of the House Democratic Caucus, and serves on 
the House Appropriations Committee, Commerce Committee, Justice 
Appropriations Subcommittee and Health Quality Subcommittee.
  He has been married to his wife, Debbi, for over 30 years and his 
children, Lindsey and Jason, attended and graduated from Broward County 
public schools.
  Madam Speaker, this award is a true testament to Representative 
Richard Stark's ongoing commitment to his community. I want to extend 
my warmest congratulations to him on receiving the Elected Official of 
the Year Award from the Jewish Federation of Broward County, and send 
along my best wishes on such a momentous occasion.

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