Allan Bense
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Republicans and Democrats alike praised his efforts. He overcame tremendous personal loss and hardship and his rags to riches life story is something you might see in a movie, yet it provides the backdrop for his pull-yourself-up-by the bootstraps philosophy. He has referred to himself as “boring” and lives by the mantra that if you cannot reach agreement on an issue, just put it down and move on. He is Allan George Bense, Florida’s Speaker of the House and Tiger Bay’s next Speaker in the Slipper on Thursday, June 16, 2005. Republicans and Democrats, as well as the media, placed the label “statesman” on Bense as he and Senate President Tom Lee recaptured the dignity of the Legislature after a two year hiatus under former Speaker Johnnie Byrd. He is credited by one Democrat as “insuring a Legislative process that was fairer and friendlier” than any in recent times and by Republicans for “creating an orderly and transparent chamber” to do the real business of the State.” Please join the Capital Tiger Bay Club at the Silver Slipper on Thursday, June 16 when Speaker Allan Bense provides his perspective on the past Legislative session and what lies ahead.