Dean Cannon Becomes Speaker of the Florida House

On Tuesday morning the overwhelming Republican majority selected Rep. Dean Cannon of Winter Park to be speaker of the Florida House -- and the new speaker responded with a promise to fight for conservative values as he wields the gavel for the next two years.

Cannon was nominated by Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine. The task we confront will test the ablest of leaders, said Proctor, who added that he believed that Cannon was up to the task based on the close relationship that had built over their years in the House. Rep. Cannon has shown the attributes of a good and true leadership, not the least of which is his capacity for growth.

Cannon replied, I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the incredible honor and privilege you have entrusted to me to be your speaker. I promise you I will hold myself accountable, and ask that we all hold each other accountable, to the high standards of this institution and the people we represent.

Cannon praised outgoing Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala. I have sought the counsel of many of the former speakers for advice over the years, and especially Speaker Cretul, said Cannon. And I intend to do so again, gentlemen. And, they cautioned me that each speaker must confront the issues at hand, not the issues they wished were at hand when they were first elected. I'll tell you that's true.

Together we all share a responsibility to address the tough issues facing our state now, continued Cannon.I know we will not always agree on the difficult choices ahead, but regardless of the circumstances, we are privileged to hold in this chamber the trust of the people of Florida and with that trust comes a responsibility to do our very best for them.