[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 64 (Monday, April 13, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E315-E316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING LINDSAY TOZER

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2026

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
service and leadership of Lindsay Tozer, a volunteer advisory board 
member for the Service Dog Alliance of Florida, where she also serves 
as chair of its public awareness campaign.
  Ms. Tozer has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to advancing 
accessibility, dignity, and equal opportunity for individuals with 
disabilities who rely on service animals in their daily lives. While 
Florida Statutes 413.08 and 413.081--enacted in 2015--provide important 
legal protections for service animals, including coverage for animals 
in training and penalties for misrepresentation or interference, these 
safeguards have historically been underrecognized by the public and 
even by some in law enforcement. Recognizing this gap, Ms. Tozer led a 
comprehensive effort to improve public understanding and compliance 
with these critical laws. As campaign chair, she convened a diverse 
group of community leaders and stakeholders to develop a clear and 
effective public awareness toolkit, including rack cards, door decals, 
and posters. Initially piloted in Citrus County, these materials were 
designed for use by businesses and local governments to reduce service 
animal misrepresentation while reinforcing both the rights and

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responsibilities of handlers and establishments. Following the success 
of the pilot program, this initiative has now been implemented 
statewide. Her concise and powerful message--``Service Animals Welcome. 
It's a crime to misrepresent.''--has resonated widely with service 
animal handlers and business owners alike, fostering greater awareness 
and encouraging meaningful dialogue in communities across Florida.
  In addition to her leadership in public outreach, Ms. Tozer serves as 
the organization's lead social media specialist, ensuring that 
information is timely, accessible, and widely distributed. She has also 
become a model for digital accessibility, aligning organizational 
communications with best practices such as the Web Content 
Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and setting a high standard for peer 
organizations. The impact of her work has been both measurable and 
meaningful, resulting in a 28 percent increase in training requests and 
a 21 percent increase in requests for technical assistance--clear 
evidence of the effectiveness of her outreach and leadership. Lindsay 
Tozer exemplifies the very best of public service and professional 
excellence. She is a dedicated communicator, a trusted advocate, and a 
tireless relationship builder whose work has strengthened partnerships 
among businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local governments 
throughout Florida. Her efforts have helped build more informed, 
inclusive, and accessible communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Ms. Tozer for her exemplary 
service and her lasting contributions to improving the lives of 
individuals with disabilities.

                          ____________________