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Committee recommends confirmation of Lt. Gov. Jeanette M. Noonan as Space Florida board chair
Summary
The Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security voted to recommend the confirmation of Lieutenant Governor Jeanette M. Noonan as chair of Space Florida’s board of directors; a public speaker urged action on veteran suicide and a new program for elderly veterans.
The Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security voted unanimously to recommend the confirmation of Lieutenant Governor Jeanette M. Noonan as chair of the board of directors of Space Florida during its session, committee members announced.
The recommendation was made on a motion by Senator Trudeau and carried on a roll-call vote in which Chair Wright, Vice Chair Collins, Senator Burgess, Senator Jones, Senator Sharif and Senator Truenow were recorded as voting "yes." Committee staff noted Noonan was not required to be present for the vote.
The recommendation advances the nominee’s appointment by the committee; the committee did not record further debate on the appointment. Prior to the motion, the committee opened the floor to public comment.
Ellsworth Williams, who identified himself during his remarks as Elvio Twentewa and introduced his affiliation as CEO and president of Veterans Counseling Veterans, addressed the committee about veterans’ issues in Florida. Williams said Florida has "over 719,000 elderly veterans over the age of 65" and warned that "the elderly veterans... suicide rate is still increasing." He described a new program he called "Serving the elderly veterans and their families," saying it has "four major functions: referrals, advocacy, disadvocacy, collaboration, and counseling" and noted monthly support groups in Hillsborough County.
"This is something I'm only pushing for the next couple of years. This is my God assignment," Williams told the committee after being sworn in to give testimony. He said his organization's work focuses on preventing veteran suicide by addressing isolation, health and income stressors.
After the confirmation recommendation, members exchanged brief remarks of appreciation for committee service before adjourning. The committee did not take additional formal actions on grants, rules, or other appointments during the recorded portion of the meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Motion: Recommend confirmation of Lieutenant Governor Jeanette M. Noonan as chair of the board of directors of Space Florida (mover: Senator Trudeau). Outcome: recommended favorably (roll call: Wright — yes; Collins — yes; Burgess — yes; Jones — yes; Sharif — yes; Truenow — yes). No abstentions or no votes were recorded. Noonan was not present and was not required to attend, according to committee remarks.
