| Representative Fred Hawkins is advocating on your behalf in our State Capital since January 2021. A long-time resident of Osceola County, Representative Hawkins is your Florida House Representative for District 35, covering Eastern Osceola and Eastern Orange County, including Lake Nona, Bithlo and Christmas.
Since elected to the House; Hawkins sponsored HB157, a bill that requires every Florida high school in 9th and 11th grades teach CPR. Many say this could be the most lifesaving legislation passed in Florida Legislature history. Rep. Hawkins has also sponsored, or co-sponsored other legislation related to education including HB3 that gives free books monthly to students up to 5th grade that are struggling with reading.
Recently, Representative Hawkins was appointed by Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls to the Task Force on Closing the Achievement Gap for Boys.
One of the goals Rep. Hawkins campaigned on and achieved was increasing funding per student for Osceola and Polk Counties. Historically both counties were at the bottom of the list of counties when it came to these funds.
Besides His commitment to Education, Rep. Hawkins also advocates and supports legislation related to Personal Property Rights, Healthcare, the Environment, Economic Development and Pro Gun Legislation.
Current Committee Assignments Include-
Education& Employment Committee
Early Learning & Elementary Education
Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee
Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Government Operations Subcommittee
Join Select Committee of Collective Bargaining
K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee
Before serving the State of Florida, Representative Fred Hawkins, Jr. served three terms on the Osceola Board of County Commissioners. He was first elected in 2008 and has served as Chairman in 2010, 2014, and 2017.
Hawkins has a long history and is no stranger to volunteering and serving on many community boards and an array of organizations to include Osceola County Planning Commission, Osceola County Charter Review Commission, Chairman of the Republican Lincoln Day Dinner, Florida Association of Counties, Greater Osceola Partnership for Economic Prosperity (GOPEP), Harmony Institute, Boys & Girls Club, Children's Advocacy Center, Community Vision, Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, Workforce Central Florida, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Foundation for Osceola Education, St. Cloud Hospital's Advisory Board of Trustees and GOPEP's Agricultural Advisory Committee, Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce, St. Cloud Main Street and the Orlando Economic Partnership.
The agriculture and ranching industry will always be a top priority to Hawkins, along with advocating for their best interests in Tallahassee, he continues to keep the local traditions alive by serving and participating as member of the Silver Spurs Rodeo, the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show & Fair (KVLS) and participating in 4-H Club events.
Representative Hawkins graduated from the University of Akron with degrees in Pre-Law and Political Science and is the President and CEO of the Osceola County Education Foundation. He has ownership in H3 Environmental LLC, which does consulting in the field of renewable energy. He, his wife Tiffany, and daughter Kendrie, live in St. Cloud. When not working, Representative Hawkins enjoys cooking, golfing, running, reading, and cheering on the Florida Gators and Dallas Cowboys and playing with his rescue dog Whiskey.
Fred's priorities for Tallahassee-
- Education
- Lowering healthcare costs
- Improving local transportation & infrastructure
- Protect our agricultural community
- Conserve our natural resources
- Defend our Second Amendment
- Support the right to life
- Ensure high water quality
- Lowering insurance costs |