TALLAHASSEE – When the Florida House of Representatives officially reconvenes on Jan. 13, Fleming Island’s Sam Garrison will gavel the session in order.

The Florida Republican Conference unanimously voted Garrison, who represents most of Clay County, as the 91^st Speaker of the House on Thursday, as hundreds of colleagues, friends, family and more than 100 from Clay County cheered from the Chamber and two galleries overlooking the House floor.

In doing so, Garrison replaced Miami’s Daniel Perez, and he became just the third representative from Clay County to run the Florida House, joining Green Cove Springs’ Robert Wyche Davis (1985) and Orange Park’s John Thrasher (1999-2000) to be the Speaker since the House was created in 1845.

“By any measure, Florida Republicans enjoy a success that our predecessors could have never dreamed of,” Garrison said. “Let's face it, we have only known victory in this town. We have only known Republican dominance, and the temptation is to believe, because it is all we have known, that it's all that ever was, and it's all that ever will be.

“History, of course, tells us a different story. It tells us that political successes bring their own set of challenges, and they are summed up in one word: complacency.”

Garrison challenged all fellow representatives constantly to be vigilant towards their constituents. He reminded them that they were elected to represent their needs and interests, and understanding those needs means working and leaving a personal thumbprint on every project.

“Let me ask members: Do we spend as much time learning every detail of legislation, preparing to defend it, to refine it, or do we outsource it, sometimes to interest groups?” he asked. “Think up model legislation. Just assume that someone else has done the hard work of making sure it's the right thing for Florida. Do we do the arduous work of leaving this state and fighting for our people back home, or do we sometimes hit the easy button, simply ride the wave, shrug our shoulders and leave the tough decisions, the intractable problems and the big dreams to someone else?

“Our communities sent us here. They sent you here. They sent us here for a reason – it is to be their voice, to bring our collective experiences to bear in addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities that we face as a state. There is a reason that complacency creeps in, because fighting against it takes hard work. It takes commitment to master the intricacies of the healthcare systems, Medicaid, tackle the never-ending challenges in our prison system, to proactively prepare for the reality of the next Cap Five (Athlete Representation and Compensation).”

Every bold vision drew an enthusiastic reaction from a contingent of Who’s Who in Florida political history, like Gov. Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson, U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, current Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Florida Rep. Judson Sapp, former Florida Sen. Rob Bradley and Florida Rep. Travis Cummings, State Attorney Melissa Nelson, members of the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, Sheriff Michelle Cook and most of her department directors, Superintendent David Broskie, members of the Orange Park Town Council, Green Cove Springs Police Chief Shawn Hines, Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock, Clay County Manager Howard Wanamaker, Clerk of Court Tara Green, Tax Collector Diane Hutchings and Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless.

Garrison was flanked by his wife, Gayle, and his two daughters, Mary Beth and Jane. He was also joined by his parents, Mike and Alice Garrison, his in-laws, Bob and Jamie Simpson, his brothers Matt and Steve, his sister, Mary and his brother-in-law, Clark Simpson.

The session was clearly Clay County-themed. It included the presentation of colors by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the playing of the National Anthem by four students from Ridgeview High.

But once the formalities ended, it was all about Garrison.

Rep. Demi Busatta (R-Miami-Dade) nominated Garrison, saying: “We don't know what the future of our state looks like, but what I do know is that Sam Garrison is the right one to lead it. Sam is prepared. He is principled. He is tested. He will not waver. He will not surrender. He will not relent. It is with tremendous honor that I nominate Sam Garrison – someone I am proud to call a friend, a mentor and a true statesman to be the 91st speaker of the Florida House.”

Then, John Snyder (R-Martin/Palm Beach counties) seconded the nomination.

“Let me tell you why Sam was the right choice and still is,” he said. “As a Marine, I know what it's like to follow a commanding officer through Afghanistan, so I don't say this lightly, but I would follow Sam Garrison to the depths of hell and back if that's what it takes to defeat the enemies of Florida.”

There were no other nominations, and the vote was merely a procedural matter.

Garrison mentioned one of his mentors, John Thrasher, during his acceptance speech. He said Thrasher told him he only had one more opening session left. The former Speaker of the House, Florida Senator and Florida State President died on May 30.

To honor him, and with Thrasher’s widow, Jean, sitting in the gallery, Garrison closed by using the exact words Thrasher said after he was selected as the Speaker 27 years ago.

“He said, ‘I want to say this to each of you: I recognize that I am standing here today in a room full of leaders. There are many of you who could be behind this podium in my place and perhaps ought to be. I am deeply honored by the trust that each of you have placed in me, and I pledge to you that I will work every day as hard as I can to keep your confidence and show you, my thanks. History is indeed ours for the making; let us make it together.’”

He stepped away from the lectern to a thunderous standing ovation, stopping once to look toward the West Gallery filled with Clay County representatives. He smiled and gave a thumbs-up before being mobbed by fellow Republican lawmakers.