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Longworth Receives Top Honor

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From the President

From the President

Bartow Vice Mayor presented E. Harris Drew Lifetime Award

by Kelli Gemmer, Florida League of Cities

Leo E. Longworth, Vice Mayor for the City of Bartow, was presented with the E. Harris Drew Municipal Official Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Florida League of Cities (FLC) annual conference. This award recognizes local elected officials who have made lasting and worthwhile contributions to the citizens of Florida through their efforts and dedication in performing their duties at the local level.

“Leo Longworth has been an elected official for the City of Bartow for 27 years,” said Phillip E. Walker, City of Lakeland Commissioner and outgoing FLC President. “His dedication and willingness to go the extra mile for what he believes in have not gone unnoticed and serve as an example for all of us.”

This prestigious annual award is the League’s highest honor and is named for Supreme Court Justice E. Harris Drew, who was an advocate of local government throughout his career. (See p. 31 for more information on Drew’s legacy.) Drew was appointed to Florida’s Supreme Court while serving as the League’s First Vice President and coined the League’s motto: “Local self-government, the key to American democracy.”

Raised in Bartow, Longworth was drafted into the U.S. Army while in college and served his country on a tour of duty in Vietnam. He returned to school to graduate after serving a two-year stint. Longworth became involved with the City as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and he served in that role for 10 years before running for City Commission when an incumbent decided not to seek reelection. Longworth has not been opposed for reelection during his 27 years of service.

A dedicated advocate for all Bartow residents, Longworth has helped elevate the quality of life for his community through initiatives, projects and perseverance. He consistently leads the effort to make sure the implementation of a diversity, equity and inclusion plan and process continues to be a top priority for the City. Longworth also led the establishment and implementation of the City’s first Mayor’s Youth Council.

Leo E. Longworth (left) accepts the E. Harris Drew award from outgoing FLC President Phillip E. Walker.

Photo courtesy of Florida League of Cities

During his tenure, Longworth has served as Mayor five times and represents Bartow in numerous regional, state and national organizations, including the Ridge League of Cities, Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (FBCLEO), National League of Cities (NLC) and National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO).

Longworth is also a past President of the FLC. He served from 2018-2019, when the League celebrated the 50th anniversary of Home Rule. His initiative, “We Live Local,” helped highlight the importance of keeping local decisionmaking in the hands of the government closest to the people. Longworth has been recognized for his outstanding advocacy efforts with eight consecutive Home Rule Hero awards.

After receiving the E. Harris Drew award, Longworth said, “I’m so humbled, and I must give honor to God. I thank God so much for what he’s done in my life and in the life of the Florida League of Cities. I’m honored to receive this award from my longtime and good friend, FLC President Phillip Walker. I will always honor and cherish this, especially the fact that this is being given during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Florida League of Cities.”

Kelli Gemmer is the Assistant Editor for the Florida League of Cities.

Award Namesake Served with Character and Conviction

At age 20, E. Harris Drew graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1923, received a waiver that allowed him to start his law practice and was appointed attorney for the Town of Palm Beach – a position he held for 29 years.

He was active in the Florida League of Municipalities, now the Florida League of Cities, in the 1940s and early 1950s. Drew was serving as First Vice President of the League when he was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in 1952. He retired in 1971 after serving twice as Chief Justice – from May 6, 1955, to January 8, 1957, and again from July 1, 1963, to July 1, 1965.

His nephew Robert Harris Turner, who goes by “Harris,” was named for his uncle. Turner carried on a family tradition of law and has served as the attorney for several cities in the Miami-Dade County area.

“My uncle was a great person,” said Turner. “He demonstrated his courage and determination to serve all people throughout his life, but he is most remembered as a dissenting voice in the Virgil Hawkins case.” In 1957, Drew wrote a dissenting opinion from a decision of the Florida Supreme Court to deny Hawkins admission to the University of Florida Law School on the basis that he was Black. “Times were different in the 1950s, but he was committed to providing justice for everyone.”

Some of the past E. Harris Drew award winners with this year’s recipient, Leo Longworth. (From left) Robert Apgar, Frank Ortis, Sam Ferreri, P.C. Wu, Patricia Bates, Longworth, Marlene Wagner, Louie Davis, Matthew Surrency and Scott Black.

Photo courtesy of Florida League of Cities

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