Jeff Atwater Named 83rd Senate President
Nov 18, 2008
Above: Senate President Jeff Atwater
Senator Jeff Atwater (R-Broward and Palm Beach Counties) was elected Florida’s 83rd Senate President today, November 18, 2008, during an Organizational Session of the 2009 Florida Legislature.
Senator Atwater cited economic improvement goals as the first priority of his new office. The Senate press release is reprinted below.
A Senate Interim Committee Meeting tentative schedule also was announced for the week of December 8-12, 2008.
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Jeff Atwater Named 83rd Senate President
Vows Aggressive Steps to Restore Florida’s Economy
TALLAHASSEE – Vowing an aggressive focus on restoring Florida’s economy, Senator Jeff Atwater was named the 83rd Florida Senate President today.
Joined by friends, family and supporters from his District, Atwater said today, “I am deeply honored by the trust my fellow Senators have shown me, and humbled by the love and support of my family here today.” Senator Atwater was joined by his wife Carole, and their children Amy Leigh, John Broward, Amanda Marie and Courtney Anne. His mother, Patricia Hardee and his siblings Mike, Enid, Patti, Doug were also in attendance.
Atwater announced his first priority will be restoring Florida’s economic prosperity. To drive this effort, he announced the formation of a bipartisan panel to identify steps Florida can to address the national economic crisis.
“We will move immediately to jumpstart this economy. This is not a panel with an open calendar and a vague mandate: they will begin work immediately and are required to present the Senate with tangible plans and legislative options before the Legislative session begins,” said Atwater.
Atwater called for bold, bipartisan leadership on the economy and other issues, and vowed to work with Senator Al Lawson and the Democratic Caucus, as well as the House Speaker Ray Sansom and Governor Charlie Crist.
Senator Atwater’s roots in public service run deep. Broward County was named for his great-grandfather, Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, governor of Florida from 1905 to 1909. With a MBA from the University of Florida and more than 25 years of banking experience, his background provides him with unique insights into legislative issues pertaining to banking, insurance, finance, fiscal responsibility and the burden that taxes and regulations place on small businesses.
Jeff Atwater was elected to the Florida House in 2000 and to the Florida Senate in 2002. In the Florida Legislature, Jeff Atwater has been a tireless champion of lower property taxes, government reform, property insurance reform and imposing tough new penalties for criminals and gang members.
Atwater, of North Palm Beach, represents Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
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