State Rep. Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee), immediate past
chairman of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, received the 2014 Thomas S.
Boyland, Legislator of the Year Award from the National Black Caucus of State
Legislators (NBCSL). This distinction is annually bestowed upon a legislator
whom the organization deems to have made a significant contribution to the
advancement of NBCSL’s policy priorities promoting equal access to opportunity
and protecting the rights of all Americans.NBCSL comprises nearly 675 lawmakers from 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands representing over 65 million constituents.
“We are delighted to present this award to a legislator who
has stood with us for so many years,” said Rep. Joe Armstrong (D-Tennessee).
“Representative Williams is a tireless advocate for civil rights in his home
state of Florida and across the entire nation.”
Williams, a FAMU alumnus, authored and led the passage of legislation in Florida consistent with NBCSL values. His successful bills included: the creation of a Civil Rights Hall of Fame Act directing the governor to annually select three civil rights icons to be displayed permanently in the Capitol; the Early Voting Hours Amendment as part of Florida’s election reform package, which created the most early voting hours in Florida history; and the Ronshay Dugans Act requiring the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to lead the state’s week-long awareness campaign about the dangers of drowsy driving each September.
“I am grateful to NBCSL, an organization that has made a
significant impact in the lives of millions Americans,” Williams said. “It is
such an honor to be presented with the Legislator of the Year award. This recognition underscores the hard work of
all our members whose core values will continue to propel our organization.”