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Florida's Election Results Certified; Legislature Holds Organization Session
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 Official election returns for the November 3 general election were certified on the morning of Tuesday, November 17 by the Florida Elections Canvassing Commission. More than 11 million Floridians cast ballots, reaching a final voter turnout of 77%.
Election results for federal, state, multi-county offices, and constitutional amendments can be found on the website of the Florida Division of Elections. Learn more about many of those who were elected to office by viewing their responses to the FCCB's candidate questionnaire.
In the Florida Senate, Republicans picked-up one seat, increasing their majority to 24-16. A final recount in District 37 gave Republican Ileana Garcia a 32-vote advantage over Democrat incumbent Jose Javier Rodriguez.
In the Florida House, the Republican majority grew to 78, just below the super-majority mark in the 120-member chamber. Three Democratic members lost their seats to Republican challengers. Republicans also picked-up two seats vacated by Democrats who unsuccessfully ran for higher office. All incumbent Republicans in the House running for re-election held their seats.
Legislature Holds Organization Session
Also on Tuesday, November 17, most Florida House and Senate members were present at the Capitol in Tallahassee for an organization session. Nine lawmakers were excused from attending because they tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to the coronavirus in recent days. Newly-elected state lawmakers were sworn in and new leaders were selected by their peers during the largely ceremonial meeting.
Senator Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, was elected Senate president. Representative Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, was elected House speaker. Both lawmakers will lead their respective chambers during the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions.
Additionally, Senator Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, and Representative Bobby DuBose, D-Fort Lauderdale, will serve as minority leaders in the Senate and House for the next two years. |
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Save the Date: Virtual Catholic Days at the Capitol, February 2-3, 2021
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 This coming year, Catholic Days at the Capitol will be a virtual event to ensure the health and safety or all participants in light of the coronavirus. The event will continue to include a legislative briefing, remarks from bishops and FCCB staff, and an award presentation to a legislator. Virtual meetings with legislators will be scheduled for participants. A Red Mass of the Holy Spirit will be celebrated on the evening of Wednesday, February 3.
Registration information will be coming soon. Please mark your calendars! |
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Dioceses Participate in Cities For Life Movement to Abolish the Death Penalty; Interview with Death Row Exoneree
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.jpg) Each November 30, communities across the globe participate in International Day of Cities for Life, Cities against the Death Penalty, which takes place on the anniversary of the first abolition of the death penalty on the part of a State, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany on November 30, 1786. Specific efforts vary by location, but many cities take part by lighting up major historical, religious, or civic monuments. In turn, those illuminated monuments become symbols of a commitment to creating a world without the death penalty. This annual event has been spearheaded by the Rome-based lay Catholic community of Sant'Egidio since 2002. Today, the top five nations carrying out executions are China, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
In solidarity with this international movement, dioceses in Florida are marking the occasion in various ways:
Archdiocese of Miami: During Mass, several parishes will include a prayer to end the death penalty in the general intercessions.
Diocese of Orlando:
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Outdoor Grotto, Daytona, November 30, 6:00 pm
Multimedia incorporated to ensure the safety of all attending by sharing the Ted Talk by Lindy Lou Isonhood, as well as sharing from Mark Elliott and death row exonerees, Herman Lindsey and Clemente Aguirre
Diocese of Palm Beach: Bishop Gerald Barbarito has invited all parishes to read an announcement during Mass.
Diocese of St. Augustine:
St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cody Enrichment Center, Jacksonville, November 30, 6:30 pm
Speakers: Bishop Felipe Estevez, Karen Gottlieb, former chair of the Florida Public Defenders' Capital Litigation Steering Committee, and Joseph Thornton, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry and chief of psychiatric services for University of Florida Health Shands Hospital
Event Flyer
Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee:
Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Pensacola, November 30, 7:00 pm
Speakers: Father Joe Callipare, Bishop William Wack, Father Dustin Feddon
Event Flyer
Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Tallahassee, November 30, 7:00 pm
Speakers: Father William Ganci, Ingrid Delgado, FCCB associate director for social concerns/respect life, and two death row exonerees
Livestream available at: https://goodshepherdparish.org/
Event Flyer
Interview with Death Row Exoneree
A two-part interview with Florida death row exoneree, Clemente Aguirre is available on FCCB's podcast, "Catholics Across the Aisle." Clemente tells the in-depth story about how he was wrongfully incarcerated and sentenced to death. You can listen to his story on: Apple (part 1, part 2); Spotify (part 1, part 2); Stitcher (part 1, part 2); or Google Podcasts (part 1, part 2) |
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Culture of Life Conference Videos Available to View Online
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 Videos of the presentations at the 2020 Culture of Life Conference, hosted virtually by the Diocese of Palm Beach on October 24, are available to view online. Presenters spoke on a variety of topics, including pregnancy and motherhood support, abortion in Florida, human trafficking, theology of the body, end-of-life care, and the death penalty.
List of the speakers and topics for each session
The conference was jointly sponsored by the State Pro-Life Coordinating Committee and the Florida Catholic Conference and keeps with Church teaching that all human life has dignity and is to be protected. |
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New Blog: Education and the Common Good
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 The FCCB Education Policy Team has launched a new blog on the FCCB website titled, "Education and the Common Good." This blog will be a place to discuss the mission of the Church as it pertains to education policy.
Mike Barrett, associate for education, will be authoring the majority of posts, but we expect to have guest authors from time to time as well. Mike's first entry answers the question "What Would You Say You Do Here?" by providing a glimpse into the complex world of education policy and the work of the FCCB, guided by the Gospel and the teachings of the Church, to equip Catholics for political participation.
You can also follow Mike on Twitter @fccb_education. |
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