AdvocacyReport
Jeanne W. Reynolds Chairwoman Government Relations Committee
A True Champion
It is one thing to file a bill on your con-
stituents’ behalf; it is quite another to
champion the bill. Senator Rouson is a champion.
Senator Rouson is not a member of
the Education Committee, so you may
wonder why he is a strong arts education advocate. The senator represents south-
ern Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) and parts of Hillsborough County (Tampa). There are strong arts communities and many arts institutions in his district. And
if I remember correctly, he participated in a theatre program when he was in high school. Certainly, he understands
the strong value of arts and arts educa-
tion to the health of our communities, yet I don’t think this completely explains his support. Most people know Senator
Rouson as an effective and transformative leader on issues related to criminal justice
Steven N. Kelly, Jeanne W. Reynolds, Senator Darryl Rouson, and Kathleen Sanz
I
n late October 2019, I went to a leg-
many incentives for strong arts programs
meeting. As I arrived, the senator was
tem. The senator understood our inter-
islator’s home office for a scheduled
walking into the building at the same time. I introduced myself and we immediately started to talk about arts and arts education before we even sat down in
his office. I had always admired Senator
Darryl Rouson’s work, but on that day, I got to see firsthand how he works each
day to make our state a better place. On
and quietly reflected for a moment. He
asked knowledgeable, probing questions regarding the need for the legislation and what barriers we might face. We
explained that, at present, there are not
his support is the verb to serve. He truly
serves his community. In an age of image
making a phone call to gauge support for
of democracy. It is not easy work. Senator
next thing I knew, Senator Rouson was
and sound bites, he does the hard work
this initiative. In other words, in a span of
Rouson is respected on both sides of the
a few minutes, he was doing the work to
aisle. And I am certain he has the battle
get this legislation moving.
scars to prove it. He is serving his constit-
That October meeting was more than
filed and shepherded this bill through
Senator Rouson read the draft language
the House. I think what best describes
high-quality achievement in the arts. The
Arts legislation.
Dr. Kathleen Sanz and I had drafted
in the Senate, he served eight years in
est in passing legislation to recognize
two years ago, and Senator Rouson has
the bill language prior to this meeting.
and mental health issues. Prior to serving
given the current accountability sys-
that day, this well-respected elected leader agreed to help us with our Seal of Fine
reform and funding for substance abuse
uents and getting the job done.
In an age where there is so much talk of
worked on our behalf ever since. He
political polarization and despair that our
the Senate in 2020 and 2021. Before filing
beacon of hope. He is an effective, well-
systems are broken, Senator Rouson is a
the bill in 2021, FMEA worked with the
respected legislator who is making our
Florida Department of Education to make
state a better place. We are honored that
some changes to improve the bill. This
he has championed our Seal of Fine Arts leg-
year, Senator Rouson has filed the Florida
islation. The 2022 Session begins on January
Seal of Fine Arts, Senate Bill 318. You can
11. Let’s honor Senator Rouson’s work
read the bill here: flsenate.gov/Session/
by helping him get the Seal of Fine Arts
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legislation over the finish line this year.
December 2021
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