ORLANDO, Fla. – State Sen. Geraldine Thompson planned to introduce several bills and budget requests during the annual Florida legislative session, which starts next week.
With Thompson’s sudden death earlier this month, her colleagues are working to make sure those proposals live on.
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State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, told News 6 he will sponsor Thompson’s bill to bring a planned Florida Black history museum to Eatonville.
“This, of course, is really, really important. The museum project is of tremendous cultural significance not only to the history of Eatonville and the history of our state but also for African-American and black history in the state of Florida,” Smith said.
Thompson co-chaired the task force on the museum, and even though the Eatonville site came in at number two on the group’s recommendation list, Thompson had wanted the legislature to reconsider that.
Smith says he is also taking on a planned budget request for money to renovate Eatonville’s police department.
State Sen. Kristen Arrington, who represents part of Orange and Osceola counties, also tells News 6 she is taking on some of Thompson’s budget requests.
Thompson passed away from complications from knee replacement surgery at 76. The longtime Orlando lawmaker served in both the Florida Senate and the House for almost 20 years.
Smith said Thompson was a dear friend and his seatmate when they served in the Florida House together.
“You know, she was an inspiration to so many people, to so many folks who, you know, really looked up to her. She has a tremendous legislative legacy that includes civil rights, that includes the teaching of Black history, that includes so much. And we were lucky to have Senator Thompson for as long as we had her,” Smith said.
A Homegoing Service is set for Friday at 11 a.m. at Majestic Life Church on Kirkman Road. Women are asked to wear scarves at the Homegoing Service in Thompson’s honor.
The 60-day annual legislative session begins in Tallahassee on March 4.