Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation ELECTS CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR 2008-2009

On Tuesday, November 18, 2008, the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation, one of the State's largest legislative delegation re-elected State Representative Juan C. Zapata (R) as Chairman for the 2008-2009 term and Representative Luis Garcia, Jr. (D) as Vice-Chairman.
Representative Zapata was first elected to the House in 2002, reelected subsequently. Zapata held the position of Chairman of the Legislative Delegation during the 2007-2008 term. As Chairman of the Delegation, Representative Zapata worked with members to secure funding for projects including the FIU Medical School, Jackson Hospital and the Children's Zone.
Representative Zapata stated, "I am privileged that my colleagues have provided me the opportunity to continue to serve as their Chairman. During these challenging times for Florida it is more important than ever that the largest delegation be united in benefit to our county and in providing leadership to our state. I will also strive to ensure that we strengthen our partnership with the county, school board, municipal officials and other vital institutions in our community. My personal goal as Chairman will be to utilize state resources to increase access to primary healthcare for the uninsured in Miami-Dade County."
Representative Luis R. Garcia, Jr. (D) was re-elected Vice-Chairman of the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation for the 2008-2009 term. Garcia currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Florida Democratic Party; Vice-Chairman of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus and is a member of the Florida Legislature's Vision Caucus. The Representative has also served as Democratic Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety; member of the Safety & Security Council; member of the Committee on Tourism & Trade Garcia and member of the Committee on Healthy Seniors. He was elected to the House in 2006 and has been subsequently re-elected. "I am elated that my colleagues, once again, choose to elect me as the Delegation's Vice-Chair and I humbly accept this prestigious honor and thank the Delegation for their support. I look forward to working with Chairman Zapata again in the coming year. I pledge to work hard to unifying our Delegation, regardless of party lines, for the benefit of the all the people in Miami-Dade County," said Representative Garcia.