May 28, 2023 - Mayfield Minute - Memorial Day Weekend

Mayfield Minute - May 28, 2023_Memorial Day

Good Morning!

As we enjoy barbecues and activities with our friends and family on this long weekend, please take a moment to remember those brave men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. These heroes protected our nation with courage and honor for the country they loved.

Freedom is not free and we should never take our freedom for granted as stated by President Ronald Reagan.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Statewide Update

Governor DeSantis Approved the Following Bills Agreed Upon by the FL Senate and FL House

Since we last reported in the May 21st edition of the Mayfield Minute, the Governor has signed the following bills:

CS/HB 1047 – Increased Penalties for the Protection for Working K-9's Dogs

HB 233 – Family and Household Members of Homicide Victims and Deceased Minors

SB 838 – Motorcycle Safety and Education Programs

CS/CS/SB 110 – State Board of Administration

CS/CS/SB 130 – Domestic Violence

CS/SB 190 – Interscholastic Extracurricular Activities

CS/CS/SB 306 – Catalytic Converters

CS/CS/SB 540 – Local Government Comprehensive Plans

SB 678 – Disposal of Property

CS/CS/SB 770 – Residential Loan Alternative Agreements

CS/CS/SB 838 – Proceeds Funding Motorcycle Safety Education

SB 7006 – A Review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act

CS/SB 7050 – Elections

CS/HB 199 – Ethics Requirements for Officers and Employees of Special Tax Districts

CS/HB 341 – 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certifications

CS/HB 431 – Solicitation of Minors to Commit Lewd or Lascivious Acts

HB 441 – Removal of Unknown Parties in Possession

CS/HB 607 – Money Services Businesses

HB 641 – Restoration of Osborne Reef

CS/HB 737 – Secondhand Goods

HB 825 – Assault of Battery on Hospital Personnel

CS/HB 1161 – Venomous Reptiles

CS/CS/HB 1185 – Consumer Protection

HB 537 – Custody and Supervision of Specified Offenders

HB 535 – Funeral Services for Public Safety Officers

CS/SB 50 – Public Records

SB 218 – Genetic Counselors Using Telehealth

CS/SB 232 – Exploitation of Vulnerable Persons

CS/CS/SB 346 – Public Construction

SB 708 – Estoppel Letters

CS/SB 1002 – Motor Vehicle Glass

CS/CS/CS/SB 1068 -- Drone Delivery Service

CS/SB 1318 – Spaceflight Entity Liability

CS/HB 33 – Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

HB 35 – Public Records and Meetings

CS/CS/CS/HB 49 – Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries

CS/CS/HB 487 – Department of Financial Services

CS/CS/HB 535 – Funeral Service Benefits for Public Safety Officers

CS/HB 537 – Custody and Supervision of Specified Offenders

CS/CS/HB 645 – Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act

CS/HB 667 – Victims of Crime

CS/CS/HB 721 – Paid Family Leave Insurance

CS/CS/HB 761 – Telephone Solicitation

CS/CS/HB 847 – Vessel Regulations

HB 1087 – Child Support

CS/HB 1215 – Public Records

CS/CS/HB 1279 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

CS/HB 1307 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

CS/CS/CS/HB 1595 – Law Enforcement Operations

HB 7063 – Taxation

CS/SB 1154 – Labor Pool Act

2023 Hurricane Season Begins June 1st thru November 30th

Disaster Preparedness Tax Breaks are included in the State's $2.7 Billion Tax Relief Plan

Florida's disaster preparedness sales tax holiday began May 27th and will end on June 9th. The second disaster preparedness sales tax holiday takes place August 26th thru September 8th. The State Legislature included the tax breaks to help and encourage Floridians to prepare their homes and businesses for impending storms.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management released the following preparedness measures:

Make a Plan – Every household should have a disaster plan specific to the needs of everyone in their household, including consideration of children, pets, and seniors.

Have Multiple Ways to Receive Weather Alerts – Every household should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and follow all directions from local officials. Residents are encouraged to have a battery-operated or hand-crank weather radio to ensure they can continue to receive alerts from the National Weather Service in the event of power outages or damaged cell towers.

Know Your Zone, Know Your Home – It’s important for residents to know if they live in an evacuation zone, a low-lying, flood-prone area, a mobile home or an unsafe structure. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know for more information and to find your zone.

Build a Kit – Take inventory and identify items your family may need on hand during or after a Hurricane. For a complete checklist, click here.

Keep Gas Tanks Half Full – Residents should keep their vehicle’s gas tanks at least half full in the event of evacuation and gas shortages. For electric vehicles, it is recommended that the battery be maintained between 50% - 80% capacity depending on vehicle type and dealer recommendations. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/HalfwayFull for more information.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is forecasting a range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Five to nine could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and possibly one to four major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher).

Constituent of the Week

Tom Fitzgerald, United States Marine Corps Veteran and Founder of Solemn Pride, Inc.

Our Constituent of the Week is United States Marine Corps Veteran, Sergeant Tom Fitzgerald. He is a tireless advocate for Veterans and first responders, and founder of the non-profit Solemn Pride, Inc.

Sergeant Fitzgerald is a native of Rome, New York and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating high school in 1982. He served from 1982 thru 1986 on active duty and was trained as a military police officer stationed at Camp Pendleton, California and Iwakuni, Japan. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a police officer in Marietta, Georgia from 1987 to 1989.

Sergeant Fitzgerald moved to Florida to pursue his education full-time, graduating from Seminole Community College earning an Associate of Arts degree. He then attended the Florida Institute of Technology on a scholarship, and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics Education.

After graduation, he served as the Information Technology Manager for the City of Port Orange from June 2000 thru July 2006. His next career endeavor was with Brevard Public Schools (BPS) as the Director of Information Technology at the beginning of their technology integration project where he was in charge of retrofitting all schools with fiber optic and network cabling. In 2020, he retired from BPS after 14 years of service.

Throughout his career, Sergeant Fitzgerald has utilized his personal time to honor Veterans and first responders in memory of his brother, Army Veteran and Federal Marshal William "Bill" Fitzgerald, Jr. Together with his wife Denise, they support Veterans and first responder families in their most difficult times in a unique way through their passion for horses. They lead equine caisson escorts for military and first responder funerals through their non-profit Solemn Pride, Inc. organization. which began in 2019.

With the mission of transforming somber emotions at life’s end into prideful memories, Solemn Pride, Inc. has honored over 700 veterans and first responders. They provide the humble service of horse drawn carriages carrying the coffins or urns for America’s Heroes at Veterans' and first responder funerals throughout Central Florida. They also assist with memorials for the Missing in America Project, Wreaths Across America, the America Police Hall of Fame, Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, among others.

Sergeant Fitzgerald is the Chairman of the Memorial Day Committee for the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. He and Denise will be leading the equine caisson at the ceremony on Monday, May 29th (details below in Upcoming Events).

This Memorial Day and everyday, in District 19 we honor our national and local heroes who have dedicated their lives in service. And, the patriots like Sergeant Fitzgerald, who are committed to preserving the treasured memories of those we lost.

District Highlights

The City of Cape Canaveral Celebrates 60 Years

Recently the City of Cape Canaveral celebrated the 60th Anniversary since its founding in 1963. I was honored to provide a Florida Senate Proclamation recognizing the history and future of the City of Cape Canaveral.

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act (NASA) launching America into the Space Age. As the Space program flourished, the beach community of Cape Canaveral did as well. Population began to soar and a committee was formed to begin the process of incorporating the land between Port Canaveral and the City of Cocoa Beach. The City Charter was submitted to the Florida Legislature and became law on May 16, 1963.

Congratulations to the residents and current and past city leaders on this exciting milestone. There is much to be proud of as the quaint City of Cape Canaveral continues to be a national leader in the science, engineering, and space travel industries.

Two Brevard Businesses Advance to Finals of NASA's Space Food Challenge

NASA announced the participants advancing to the final phase of its Deep Space Food Challenge. Phase 2 tasked dozens of teams with building and demonstrating small-scale prototypes of technologies that use minimal resources and create little waste while producing safe, healthy, and appetizing foods for astronauts.

A panel of judges selected eight winners to build and demonstrate full-scale food technologies over the next year in Phase 3. Of the eight companies selected to advance, two Brevard-based companies made the cut: Interstellar Lab of Merritt Island and Kernel Deltech USA of Cape Canaveral. They will compete in the Phase 3 challenge against three other American companies, and three international companies.

The Interstellar Lab created a modular bio-regenerative system for producing fresh microgreens, vegetable, mushrooms, and insects. Kernel Deltech USA developed a system for cultivating mushroom-based ingredients. Each company received $150,000 from NASA for their innovative ideas and will compete for up to $1.5 million in prizes in the final phase.

Congratulations to the leadership and employees of Interstellar Lab and Kernel Deltech USA for being selected to continue on this highly innovative and intense competition.

For more information about NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge, click here.

Upcoming Events

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery Memorial Day Observance

The Cape Canaveral National Cemetery will hold its annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 29th beginning at 11:00 a.m. located at U.S. Highway 1 in Mims. Colonel Mark A. Shoemaker, Vice Commander for Operations, Space Launch Delta 45, Cape Canaveral SFS will serve as keynote speaker. Tom Fitzgerald is the Chair of the Memorial Day Committee, and Trooper Steve Montiero of WKMG News 6 will serve at the Master of Ceremonies.

The agenda includes presentations by the Cape Canaveral Ladies, Brevard Police and Fire Pipes and Drums band, Patrick Space Force Base Honor Guard, and many others.

For more information, click here.

Memorial Day Ceremony: Never Forget Our Fallen, POWs, MIAs

On Monday, May 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., the Veterans Memorial Center (located at 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway) in Merritt Island will hold "A Solemn Remembrance of American Sacrifices for our Freedoms."

The event recognizes fallen service members, prisoners of war, those missing in action and the families who have endured the ultimate sacrifice. Special presentations include:

Musical tributes by the Lonnie and Delinda, and TAPS by Bob Doyle
Color Guards from Veteran and Cadet Units
Veterans Memorial Center Welcome by Dean Schaff
Fallen First Responders Tribute by Sheriff Wayne Ivey
The Ultimate Sacrifice by LTC Tim Thomas, United States Army, Ret.
Gold Star Families Left Behind by Donn Weaver
Honor of the Fallen by Ruck March of Cocoa
Rifle Salute by Brevard County Sheriff's Office

For more information on the Memorial Day Ceremony in tribute to the fallen, POW's, MIA's and families, contact the Veteran's Memorial Center at 321-453-1776.

Veterans Council of Indian River County Memorial Day Observance

The Veterans Council of Indian River County will hold a Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 29th beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary (100 Dahlia Lane) in Vero Beach’s Riverside Park. This event is free to the public.

Petty Officer First Class Rob Ryan, United States Navy will serve as keynote speaker. He is a Marine Corps Combat Veteran who served in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Phantom Fury in November of 2004. Petty Officer First Class Ryan worked for the State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan as a sniper team leader for dignitary protection and diplomat security operations.

The ceremony will include full military honors with the Parade of the Colors and other presentations. Ample parking is available at Riverside Park and attendees are reminded to bring your lawn chair to enjoy the ceremony.

For more information about the Veterans Council of Indian River County event, click here or call l (772) 410-5820.

Eastern Florida State College Youth Golf Camp Registration

The popular Youth Golf Camp at Eastern Florida State College is encouraging those interested in attending to sign up as soon as possible.

Children and young adults ages 10 to 17 are welcome free of charge. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required in order to ensure your enrollment. The camp will take place Monday, June 6th thru Thursday, June 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the EFSC Fred Gay Golf Academy, located at 3570 S.R. 524 in Cocoa.

Orientation will take place on Wednesday, June 1st from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the EFSC Cocoa Campus in the Clark Maxwell, Jr. Lifelong Learning Center (Bldg. 3, Rm. 103), located at 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa.

Founded in 1992, the EFSC Youth Golf Camp teaches basic golf skills such as golf course etiquette, conduct, and sportsmanship combined with self-confidence development and guidance on setting successful goals and positive life choices.

The registration packet can be found at easternflorida.edu/documents/golf.pdf

For more information, contact Diane Taylor at taylord@easternflorida.edu or call (321) 433-7060.

The Vero Beach Film Festival is Back for the 6th Year

Beginning Wednesday, June 7th thru Sunday, June 11th the Vero Beach Films, Food, and Fine Wines Festival will take place celebrating their 6th year as one of the most popular local events. The event is nationally recognized for the pairing of independent filmmakers to audiences seeking new voices, fresh perspectives, and to highlight up and coming artists.

Hundreds of international filmmakers have screened hundreds of films and they are bringing their favorite comedies, dramas, documentaries, and movie shorts to Vero Beach.

The Vero Beach Film Festival benefits local charities, independent and student filmmakers, and also serves to provide opportunities for the local community to screen new movies for themselves.

The full Vero Beach Film Festival schedule is here and to purchase passes online, click here.