[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1023-E1024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND UNSELFISH WORK OF HILLSBOROUGH 
                COMMISSIONER LESLEY ``LES'' MILLER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2020

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in admiration and 
respect to honor the achievements and unselfish work of Hillsborough 
Commissioner Lesley ``Les'' Miller, Jr. and to congratulate him on his 
retirement. Les' remarkable contributions to our hometown of Tampa have 
had a tremendous impact on our neighbors and citizens of Florida and is 
worthy of recognition.
  Les was born in Tampa in 1951, graduated from Middleton High School 
and later served in the United States Air Force as an administrative 
specialist. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and 
master's degree in public administration from the University of South 
Florida (USF) and received an honorary doctorate degree in humane 
letters from Florida A&M University in 2005. During his academic 
career, Les served as the First African American President of the 
Student Government Association and President of the Black Student 
Union. Before making a switch to political science, Les was a music 
major and rose to be drum major at Middleton High.
  Les' involvement and willingness to serve did not stop after his 
college career. He also served as a member of the Florida House of 
Representatives from 1992 to 2000 and as a member in the Florida Senate 
from 2000/ 2006. Commissioner Miller was the first Democrat in Florida 
to serve as both Florida House and Senate Minority Leader. His hard 
work and dedication towards public policy and passion for giving back 
to his community, has granted him several awards including the Florida 
Education Association President's Award; the Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr. Interfaith Memorial Service Robert W. Saunders Award for Efforts to 
Promote Civil Rights; the University of South Florida Presidents' 
Distinguished Citizen Award; the Early Learning Coalition Legislative 
Excellence Award; Florida League of Cities Legislative Award; and the 
Florida Housing Coalition Legislative Award.
  Les has been an integral part of the growth and development of 
Moffitt Cancer Center, Florida's only National Cancer Institute-
designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Les was already a cancer 
survivor before Moffitt opened, but throughout his life, he and his 
loved ones still needed Moffitt more than he might have imagined. Les 
has survived three bouts of cancer, and both his wife, Gwen and 
daughter LeJeane, have twice survived cancer. Through his career in the 
Florida Legislature, Les made funding Moffitt one of his priority 
issues. His many accomplishments there, include, a measure he authored 
to earmark a percentage of Florida's tobacco sales taxes for Moffitt 
research and patient care. Les continues to give back through Moffitt's 
annual Men's Health Forum which encourages men regardless race, 
religion and socioeconomic background to get information and guidance 
on prostate and men health. Les credits Moffitt for being alive today 
and has made it a life mission to help the center in any capacity.
  Les' relentlessness to fight for what is right inspired him to lead 
efforts throughout his career, both at the state and local level, for 
tough laws to stop gun violence and keep guns out of the hands of 
people like the men who shot his son, Trey. Les' tough and 
collaborative approach has allowed him success despite strong 
opposition from special interests and even the Florida Legislature. It 
passed a law to try to take gun violence efforts from local 
governments. Les' strength and passion can be seen in his continuing 
efforts to fight to stop gun violence even in the face of rules that 
threaten local officials personally who try to protect their 
communities.
  During his tenure as a Commissioner for Hillsborough County, Les has 
continued to improve the lives of many by continuously fighting for 
affordable housing, better transportation and protection of the 
environment. He also served on several Boards and Councils including 
Aviation Authority, Committee of Six, Expressway Authority, Florida 
State Fair Authority, HART, Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group, 
Metropolitan Planning Organization, Visit Tampa Bay, Tourist 
Development Council and Election Canvassing Board.
  Outside of his role as Commissioner, Les continues to be an active 
voice in civic affairs including being a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi 
Fraternity, Inc. a member of Harram Temple No. 23, Prince Hall 
Shriners; a member of the United Supreme Council, 33rd Degree Mason, 
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliate; 
Life Member and Past Master of Landmark Lodge No.

[[Page E1024]]

93 of Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons; Life Member of the Tampa 
Branch of the NAACP; and a Deacon of the New Mount Zion Missionary 
Baptist Church of Tampa, Inc. He also continues to uplift and highlight 
the history and contributions of the African American community to 
Hillsborough County.
  Madam Speaker, Les Miller, Jr. embodies what it is to be a public 
servant and citizen. He has shown the way for generations to come, 
always giving his very best, leading by example and always working to 
make lives better for those he serves. On behalf of the citizens of 
Florida and my neighbors across Tampa Bay, I am proud to honor Les 
Miller, Jr. for his formidable efforts and selfless devotion to the 
people in our community and congratulate him one more time, on his 
retirement.

                          ____________________