(Florida House) Speaker Byrd Focuses On Public Promises

Brandenton Herald ^ | Dec. 09, 2003 | LISA MARIE LENTZ

[Pubbie]

BRADENTON - When Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd addressed the East Manatee Republican Club's holiday banquet Monday night, he could could have focused on any number of high-profile, controversial issues.

Instead, he chose to focus on the three promises he said Florida Republicans had delivered for the state.

"At Jeb Bush's second inaugural, he had three goals for the state," Byrd said. "Diversify the economy, encourage reading and strengthen marriage."

"We delivered on the promises Bush made only 10 months later," he said, "and we're going to create more jobs. . . . the glue that holds families together is jobs."

Byrd promised Florida would emerge as "the strongest economy in the nation," and pointed to California's debacle as an example of how not to run a state.

"They blew it," he said simply. "I feel sorry for Ah-nold."

Byrd's words fell on the very receptive ears of more than 100 attendees, close to one-third of the new club's enrollment.

The club was formed in January by Donna Hayes, a linchpin in Manatee County's Republican party, and 21 friends. Less than 10 months later, its enrollment has reached 280, Hayes said.

In August, Hayes was elected chairwoman of the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee. Previously, she chaired the county's Republican party for eight years.

The celebration was attended by such GOP celebs as state Reps. Ron Reagan and Bill Galvano; Supervisor of Elections Bob Sweat; and Manatee County Commissioners Jonathan Bruce, Jane von Hahmann and Amy Stein.

"We have a great nation," Byrd said. "It is invested with so much hope, so much optimism."

And Byrd wants to take that optimism to Washington. He is seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

"Why?" Byrd asked, "Two words: Keep promises."

Byrd told guests that they have the opportunity to send someone to Washington who has a track record for keeping his word, although his words sometimes invite controversy.

In response to the recent ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, which found that homosexual couples are entitled under that state's constitution to marry, Byrd responded: "If state supreme courts are going to continue to make rulings similar to today's ruling by Massachusetts' highest court, we must continue the fight to protect the sanctity of marriage and to enact legislation making defense of marriage a part of the U.S. Constitution."

Byrd, who as a freshman House member in 1997 sponsored the state's same-sex marriage ban, said he strongly believes in the sanctity of marriage as a sacred institution between a man and a woman.

Similarly, Byrd has been involved in a "right to life" case, of sorts.

"Terri's Law," enacted by the Legislature on Oct. 21, allowed Bush to order doctors to reinsert a feeding tube in Terri Schiavo after she was forced to go six days without food and water.

Schiavo, who is severely brain damaged, has been kept alive with the assistance of the tube for more than 13 years.

The law was championed by Byrd, who has since written a "friend of the court" brief in its defense.

The case and subsequent law have spurred national debate about right-to-die issues and the constitutionality of the new law, which some say overrules the Florida judiciary.

But no such subject spoiled the spirit and cheer of the party.

"I have a feeling that next year, Christmas is going to come in November for the Republicans," Galvano said.

[Pubbie]

Go Byrd!