Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 08:46:59 -0500 (EST) From: A Jay Eddy Subject: LCR An Historic First - A Tallahassee Mission BLCCF REPORT - 3/19/99 For Immdeiate Release LEGISLATIVE DAY IN TALLAHASSEE Log Cabin's Historic Visit Prepared by: A. Eddy, VPPR BLCCF Community Relations and Outreach (954) LCR-1995 P.O. Box 1218, Ft.Lauderdale,FL 33302 Representatives from Florida's Gold Coast Broward Log Cabin Republican Club (BLCCF) attended three days of special legislative political, cultural and social events scheduled in the State Capitol. The group arrived in Tallahassee on Sunday morning, March 14th , and returned to South Florida on the 17th. The consensus was that the visit, although brief but intense, was productive and rewarding for all concerned. On Sunday, March 14th, representatives of Log Cabin attended a private welcoming cocktail reception. BLCCF reps were fortunate enough to meet several individuals associated with various groups participating in Tallahassee~s Annual Legislative Day. This was invaluable in that it offered an opportunity for access that was never anticipated. On Monday morning, March 15th, Andy Eddy, BLCCF Public Relations Vice President, and Mark Ferrar, Executive Vice President of the BLCCF Board of Directors visited the Capitol Press Center where the offices of The Miami Herald are located. After their courtesy call they joined several other activists attending a State and Federal Legislative review being held in the chambers of the Florida House of Representatives. The special annual legislative session was opened by Rep. John Thrasher, the Republican Speaker of the House, who introduced the Governor. Gov. Bush presented the welcoming address. Rep. John Thrasher then introduced U.S. Senators Connie Mack and Bob Graham who each addressed the body on the issue of Education. Both Sen. Mack and Sen. Graham received standing ovations. House Speaker Thrasher then welcomed the Florida delegation from the U.S. House of Representative. That segment of the morning session also featured Rep. E. Clay Shaw who led a distinguished panel of U.S. House Republicans and Democrats addressing a variety of issues directly and indirectly challenging the future course of Florida. The D.C. and State Legislators, being on a tight scheduled, adjourned about noon. LCR reps then had a brief opportunity to meet some of the members of the delegation on the 4th floor of the Capitol Building, just outside the House and Senate Chambers. The Log Cabin delegation attended an afternoon luncheon which was followed by a tour of the Old Capitol and New Capitol buildings. The new buildings currently house the offices of our Florida State Senators and House Representatives. Unfortunately, a scheduled meeting with David Rancourt, Chief of Staff for Gov. Jeb Bush, was inadvertently overlooked because of miscommunications on the part of BLCCF. On Monday evening Florida Gold Coast LCR Broward club members joined Jim Driscoll, head of the LCR-DC National AIDS Policy office, for a private advisory dinner. Later that evening the BLCCF delegation attended the "44th Sometimes Annual Press Corps Skits." A wide cross-section of elected officials and media representatives attended this hilarious fry highlighted as "The Press is Watching." Everyone from Bush, Brogan and Buddy Mackay to Senate Leader Toni Jennings and House Leader Rep. John Thrasher were trashed with the wildest of skits and knee-jerking video productions. This event proved to be a wonderful opportunity for the LCR delegation to mingle and meet a number of State officials and Tallahassee staffers. On Tuesday morning , March 16th, Andy Eddy, PRVP Director for Community Relations and Outreach for Broward LCR and James Driscoll, Director of the LCR National AIDS policy office, attended a Florida AIDS Action Consortium (FLAAC) policy review breakfast meeting at the Governors Hotel. The informative event and informational exchange was chaired by Bill Skeen MD/MPH, the Director of Public Policy for FLAAC. BLCCF reps were then invited to a luncheon hosted by Joiner Simms. Drew McCarthy of the Northeast Florida AIDS Network, Inc. (NFAN) also joined the group which later broke up into pairs and visited a number of legislative staffers within the State Capitol Office Building. The Log Cabin Team, led by club President Jack Majeske, spent the afternoon of the 16th visiting with Sen Jim Scott and other members of the House and Senate. The focus of those encounters was centered around the one particular meeting arranged by State Rep Debbie Sanderson. Rep Sanderson and Log Cabin met with Rep. John Thrasher, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. The LCR delegation had an opportunity to discuss HIV/AIDS funding for such items as the AIDS Insurance Continuation Program. During the round- table discussions members of the press were welcomed in as observers and many used the meeting for photo OPS. The BLCCF visit was rapidly coming to a close as many other politically interested Broward residents arrived for Tallahassee~s Broward Day. Unfortunately, due to a limited amount of available time, the BLCCF reps were unable to participate in a number of events scheduled by the Broward County Republican Executive Committee. Regardless, all certainly left the State Capitol with the belief that a substantial and productive dialogue was realized and many doors were opened to BLCCF for the very first time. .......... Photos Available