With the start of the 2011 Session of the Florida Legislature, observers can look for members to honor the traditions of the 2 bodies, including legislators making their “maiden speeches” on the floors of their chambers. All former members can remember their first speech–mine was on the major reorganization bill of the various environmental agencies in 1975. I was supporting Governor Reubin Askew’s position in opposition to the position supported by both Speaker of the House of Representatives Don Tucker (D., Tallahassee) and the Senate President Dempsey Barron (D., Panama City). My nervousness must have been apparent, because the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Representative Bill Fulford (D., Orlando), on behalf of the Speaker, took the floor to ask me a number of difficult to answer questions. I am told I held my own, but it was not an easy maiden speech for this freshman member of the House of Representatives.
