Scott Franklin

ACCURATE Act

in committee

SCHEDULES Act of 2026

in committee

Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026

in committee

“Mr. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, I missed Roll Call vote No. 130, due to a House Appropriations Committee Markup. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 130. ____________________”

2026-04-27 · Government Reform

“Mr. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable public servant from Winter Haven, Florida, Ms. Ellie Threlkel, who passed away in February 2026 at the age of 88. Ellie Threlkel was more than a former mayor and city commissioner. She was a pillar of the Winter Haven community and a woman who truly embodied servant leadership. Ellie served on the Winter Haven City Commission from 1988 to 1996 and was appoInted mayor from 1991 to 1994. During her time in office, she demonstrated steady leadership and a deep commitment to the people she served. Her husband of 68 years, Dr. Jim Threlkel, once said that Ellie was ``the city employees' commissioner and mayor.'' They knew she genuinely cared about them. Her impact on Winter Haven is still felt today, particularly in the world of sports and economic development. When the Boston Red Sox left spring training in Winter Haven, it was a significant blow to the local economy. Ellie refused to let that chapter close without a fight. Following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, she worked tirelessly to bring Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians--now the Cleveland Guardians--to Chain of Lakes Park for spring training. From 1993 through 2008, that partnership brought jobs, visitor's, and pride to our community. Each year, Ellie proudly threw out the first pitch, often wearing her now famous gold sequined Cleveland baseball cap--just one piece of her legendary hat collection that earned her the affectionate nickname, ``The Hat Lady,'' But Ellie's service extended far beyond City Hall and the baseball field. She was a Girl Scout leader, a charter member of the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven, a leader in [[Page E187]] the Garden Club, and a Ruling Elder at First Presbyterian Church. She served on boards supporting youth programs, drug prevention initiatives, hospice care, and senior living communities. In 1984, she was recognized as Winter Haven's Woman of the Year. Even after stepping down from elected office, Ellie continued to serve on the city's Board of Adjustment and Police Pension Board. For her, public service was not a position--it was a way of life. Born in Hawaii, educated at Vanderbilt University, and rooted in Winter Haven since 1972, Ellie led by example with a cheerful spirit and unwavering dedication to her family and her community. She is survived by her loving husband, Jim, her daughters Kit and Peggy, her grandson Kasey, and many cherished friends and family members. She leaves behind a legacy of leadership, generosity, and civic pride that will continue to inspire generations in Winter Haven. Mr. Speaker, communities are shaped by individuals who choose to give more than they take. Ellie Threlkel was one of those rare individuals. On behalf of Florida's 18th Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to the Threlkel family and my gratitude for Ellie's extraordinary life of service. May she rest in peace. ____________________”

2026-03-04 · Government Reform

“Mr. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Clifton Lewis, a beloved constituent from Bartow, Florida, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 82. Clifton was a veteran, a community leader, a tireless advocate for historic preservation and the driving force behind one of Florida's most important cultural landmarks, the L.B. Brown House. Clifton devoted more than two decades of his life to preserving and sharing the extraordinary story of Lawrence B. Brown, a man born into slavery who rose to become a respected builder, businessman and community leader in Bartow. When the Victorian home Brown constructed faced demolition in the late 1990's, Clifton stepped forward. He rallied neighbors, secured state support and carefully led the restoration of the structure. Thanks to his conviction and leadership, the L.B. Brown House stands today as one of the only known surviving homes in Florida built by a formerly enslaved person. But Clifton did far more than save a building, he revived a legacy. He founded and directed the L.B. Brown Heritage Festival, which celebrated its twenty-fourth year in 2025 and now attracts thousands of visitors. Through historical presentations, reenactments, music, food and fellowship, Clifton brought people together to honor the resilience, faith and contributions of African Americans in Polk County and across our Nation. His work gained national recognition. The Smithsonian displayed artifacts from the site, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., includes an exhibit dedicated to Brown and the Bartow home, a testament to Clifton's perseverance in telling this remarkable American story. Clifton also served his country honorably in the United States Army and broke barriers as the first Black telephone technician in Washington, D.C. Throughout his life, he remained a man of deep faith, boundless positivity and unwavering commitment to his community. Even as he battled serious health challenges, he continued welcoming visitors to the museum, guiding tours and encouraging others to carry the work forward. His friends and fellow historians remember him as gracious, diplomatic and always focused on preserving not just facts, but the humanity and soul of a community. His leadership inspired a generation of local preservationists, and his legacy will live on through the museum, the festival and the many lives he touched. Mr. Speaker, Clifton Lewis was a remarkable Floridian and a guardian of our shared history. On behalf of Florida's 18th District, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Vendarae, his family, his friends and all who continue the mission he championed. May his memory be a blessing and may his life's work continue to educate and inspire for many years to come. ____________________”

2025-12-01 · Civil Rights