Florida Chamber Names 2013 Distinguished Advocates Recipients

The Florida Legislature named 29 legislators as 2013 Distinguished Advocates on Tuesday, honoring them for championing the Florida Chamber of Commerce's Florida Business Agenda. Each year, the Florida Chamber names Distinguished Advocates who go "above and beyond" in advocating pro-jobs legislation to make Florida a more competitive state.

According to a press release from the Florida Chamber, the 29 Florida Chamber 2013 Distinguished Advocates helped to "ensure consideration of the business communitys legislative priorities, and furthered the Florida Chambers legislative agenda to make Floridas business climate more competitive and lower the cost of living for Floridas families and small businesses." Each of the 2013 Distinguished Advocates sponsored Florida Chamber-backed legislative priorities that successfully passed during the 2013 legislative session and were signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, or exemplified leadership during the legislative session.

As we prepare to celebrate our nations freedom, the Florida Chamber is proud to honor legislative leaders who stood strong in support of the entrepreneurial free-enterprise system which made our country great and that is helping put Florida in position to become the No. 1 job creator in the nation, said David Hart, executive vice president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Early on we encouraged lawmakers to focus on making Florida more competitive and improving the economic conditions for families and businesses, Hart said. In doing so, they helped put Florida in position for continued private-sector job creation this year, and improve the economic health of communities and regions across Florida. The Florida Chamber is pleased to honor the Distinguished Advocate award to lawmakers who championed free-enterprise principles for job creation.?

Here's who made the grade as a Distinguished Advocate in 2013:

FLORIDA SENATE

Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg

Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville

Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring

Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla

Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon

Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples

Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach

Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula

Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton

Rep.Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres

Rep. Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island

Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach

Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples

Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta

Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha

Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples

Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City

Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park

Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando

Rep. Jake Raburn, R-Lithia

Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville

Rep. David Santiago, R-Deltona

Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven

Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa

House Speaker Will Weatherford.