MEET THE CANDIDATE Fred Hawkins
school safety. Running this Bill taught me the value of teamwork with other legislators, and I am happy to report we worked unanimously Public service was something across party lines to pass this that started early in my life. Bill. I remember the thrill of running for Student Council in Being the Sponsor of the FlorHigh School. I really learned ida School Safety Bill was to enjoy expressing myself not easy and I learned much through public speaking and during the process. One of was also thrilled to campaign the reasons I felt so passionduring the process. Serving on ate about this law was I had the Student Council also was to opportunity to speak and gratifying in that I learned the listen to parents and educasatisfaction one could gain tors who had experienced the from public service and serv- Marjorie Stoneman Douglass ing others. I also learned the tragedy. This touched me at value of listening to the needs a deep level and provided of my constituents and being the fuel I needed to work that extra mile to make sure we accessible to them. worked together to make sure Early on in my life I was we could help save lives and taught by both of my parents help our future leaders in the the value of self- improve- State of Florida. Our future is ment through education. I our children and the return believe education, especially on investment we gain from early education is the path- our commitment to education way for people to realize their is a great investment for our full potential and empow- tax dollars. ers them to be able to pursue their version of the American My career path has been Dream. I have a passion for unique. From working in a education especially for those corporate law firm, to operwho may not have a great ating our family business, I family structure. I think it im- also rode on the professionportant that we pursue vigor- al Rodeo Circuit as a Head ous early education especially Team Roper. That’s right a by the Third Grade to make professional rodeo cowboy. If sure young men and women you are not sure, what team are aligned to have the proper roping is I encourage you to reading skills to stay on track google it. I was the guy that throughout their academic roped the head of the steer. This experience taught me career. the value of learning to work One of my greatest honors with others, continuance of and blessings is to serve the training & practice all while constituents of Florida, in the realizing that we are all deFlorida House of Representa- pendent on one another in tives. The area of education, learning to accomplish goals. including the focus on ear- I really enjoyed being a Cowly education and the issue of boy and learned the value of School Safety has been a pri- camaraderie and teamwork. I mary focus of mine. I really have seen this same transition believe that we can make a of fellowship by serving in difference in other people’s the Florida House. It is a great lives when we focus on get- honor to work with my fellow ting children early on to learn legislators and the bonds created from this organization to love reading. are special. Regarding the topic of School Safety, it was my privilege Although I was a real Cowthis past Florida Legislative boy, there are other sports I Session to Sponsor our School follow and hobbies I have. If Safety Bill, recently signed you connect with me on soby Governor Ron DeSantis cial media, you will see my into law. One of my goals of love for the Dallas Cowboys this legislation was to make and Florida Gators. Running, Florida a leader in the area of playing golf, reading and help us on raising awareness on the role Fathers can play in leading their families towards a better future.
I am blessed to have two great parents who from an early age instilled in me values that have served me well and provided the fuel for my current role as a public servant. From my father, I learned how to deliver superior customer service and to set goals. My mother from an early age encouraged me to serve others, especially those less fortunate than myself and she also help spark in me early, a burning desire to learn from reading books, especially historical biographies. From an early age, I was also infused with a strong work ethic. Sleeping in was not allowed. If there were chores that needed to be done, I was taught to get after them. My first real job outside our home at the age of 12 was bailing hay on farms. I wasn’t as big as the older guys but had to lift the same bales. This was tough work but having had the experience it has served me well to this present day. Having been blessed to have active parents in my life also taught me the value of family structure and what it means for Florida on a larger scale. Statistics show that the lack of parental involvement in a child’s life has very negative implications for that young person’s future. Therefore I was so honored to have had the ability to assist on helping pass legislation this past session on strengthening the role that Fathers play in their family’s life. Our focus on assisting Fathers on their abilities to lead and interact with their children will no doubt
of course cooking. My love for cooking comes from my mom. Like many of you I am hooked on the Big Green Egg and trying many recipes. Looking ahead to the immediate future, I have a burning desire to see education in Florida rise further in the national rankings. It has been a pleasure working with Governor Ron DeSantis and watching him really follow through by properly raising teachers’ salaries, increasing school choice for Florida parents and of course helping make Florida schools safer with the signing of the Florida School Safety Bill into law. Another key component of the Florida School Safety Bill was its focus on putting additional resources in the area of mental health. We now will have more mental health screening occurring and this not only will help keep our schools safer, but also provide a way to assist our students who may be struggling in this area to improve their outlook on life at an early age. It really is exciting to do such work and realize the positive impact it will have on the future of Florida. It has been my greatest honor to serve the constituents of Central Florida since 2020 in the Florida House of Representatives. I remain driven to work even harder this next Legislative Session to help build a stronger future for all Floridians regardless of their situation and will do my best to listen and lead on the critical issues facing our great state. I appreciate this opportunity and I pledge to work hard to help make the American Dream a possibility for every Floridian. Please, when you see me out in the Avalon Park area, come up and introduce yourself or connect with me on social media. Twitter @Hawkins4Florida or Facebook Hawkins4Floirda. I hope you and your families have a wonderful and Blessed Summer.
