PRESS RELEASE: State Senator Frederica Wilson Throws Her Hat Into the Ring, Announces She Will Seek Congressional District 17 Seat
Miami Gardens - State Senator Frederica Wilson confirmed today that she will be a candidate for the Congressional District 17 seat, which Congressman Kendrick Meek is vacating to run for the US Senate. Wilson succeeded Meek in the Florida House of Representatives and then the Florida Senate and now hopes to succeed him in Congress.
In her more than a decade of service in the Florida State Legislature, as a State Representative (1998-2002) and State Senator (2002-present), Wilson has already represented many of the communities making up Congressional District 17. She has also served the community as a teacher, principal and school board member. “This is a District I already know well,” Wilson said. “These are the same schools, businesses and families I’ve worked with and fought for my whole career. And just as I’ve made sure these communities had a voice in Tallahassee, I will do the same for them in Washington.”
State Senator Wilson continued, “Our nation faces unprecedented challenges. Families are losing their jobs and their homes. Schools are struggling to find the resources to educate our children. Our communities need help now, and they need leaders in Washington that understand that. And I do.”
Her entire career, Wilson has stood up for those without a voice. As a school principal she stood up for her students and their families and fought against an environmentally dangerous composting plant that was built across the street from her school. It was a battle she won and the Miami Dade County Commission was forced to close the plant. Wilson also took a stand when Haitian refugees were incarcerated in a local detention center in 1984. Wilson personally and tirelessly lobbied Congress for the fair treatment of these refugees. And because of her efforts, all of the women held in the detention
center were released. Wilson would later be named to the Haitian Refugee Center Board of Directors in recognition of her committed service to the Haitian community.
As a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board, Wilson introduced reading labs and an African-American history curriculum into our schools, as well as a dirty dancing ban in our community. She also established herself as a leader prepared to tackle the county’s most difficult challenges.
It was then that Wilson saw the need for a program to intervene in the lives of at-risk youth before it was too late. Many said the problem was insurmountable but not Wilson, and she founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program.
The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program has become a national model for drop-out prevention programs, and the Foundation has awarded more than $5 million dollars in scholarships to minority boys since its inception in 1992. It has helped thousands of young boys turn around their lives. It currently operates in 110 Miami-Dade County Schools and helps more than 6000 youth. The Program has received numerous awards including Florida’s Promise to Youth award and the President’s Summit for America’s Future Teaching Example for the Nation award.
“We were losing generations of our children. They didn’t believe the American Dream was for them. They didn’t believe in the future because they didn’t believe they had one, and that’s why I started the 5000 Role Models Program,” Wilson explained. “The program molds good men, good husbands and good fathers for the next generation.”
“Change only happens when someone rolls up their sleeves and takes a stand. And it’s that determination and commitment that I’ll take with me to Washington. We’ve got a lot challenges in front of us, and the time for talk is over. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and bring the change our families need.”
As a state legislator, Wilson has been a vigilant supporter of quality public education. Her tenure in Tallahassee has been recognized both for her effectiveness and her ability to work across party lines. While others have merely spoken about bipartisanship, Wilson has practiced it. She worked with then-Governor Jeb Bush to remove the Confederate flag from the state capitol, to start HIV/AIDS testing in prisons and to reform the implementation of the FCAT. She joined with Governor Charlie Crist to achieve the restoration of voting rights for felons. Wilson’s legislative career has been one of significant accomplishment.
During the 2008 Presidential contest, Wilson was among the first elected officials in Florida to endorse Barack Obama and served as one of the campaign’s surrogate speakers. She was also elected as one of Florida’s 27 electors for the Obama Presidency.
In the coming months, State Senator Wilson will be holding small gatherings across the district to hear firsthand from the District’s families and to tell them more about her views and ideas.
Senator Wilson will also launch a website in the coming weeks with full interactive capacity to provide a dedicated portal for Wilson and the District to communicate.
Check www.fredericawilsonforcongress.com for further launch information.
State Senator Frederica Wilson represents State Senate District 33, which consists of
part of Miami-Dade County.
