HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 28, No. 6 | Page 10

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ’ S M E S S A G E J o h n F. K y n e s - H i l l s b o r o u g h C o u n t y B a r A s s o c i a t i o n 2018 Liberty Bell award goes to Former Fla. gov. Bob martinez; Law day Luncheon Celebration marks end to Stellar year T “[gov. martinez] literally changed the face of the judiciary in Hillsborough County and the entire state of Florida. as governor, he made diverse appointments to the bench before diversity was part of our vocabulary.” —thirteenth Circuit Chief Judge ron Ficarrotta ampa native son Bob Martinez was sworn in as the 40th Governor of Florida in January 1987, and his impact on Florida’s judiciary is still being felt today, more than 30 years later. The first Hispanic to be elected to Florida’s highest office, Martinez used his executive power during his one term in office to appoint people to the bench who reflected Florida’s increasingly diverse population. (l to r): 2nd DCA Chief Judge Edward LaRose, former Circuit Judge Manny Menendez, Bob “He literally changed the face of Martinez, former Circuit Judge Dennis Alvarez, and 13th Circuit Court Chief Judge Ron Ficarrotta. the judiciary in Hillsborough County and the entire state of Florida,” said Thirteenth Circuit Chief Judge Ron Ficarrotta. “As governor, he made diverse appointments Continuing, Ficarrotta talked about Martinez’s long to the bench before diversity was part of our vocabulary.” and distinguished service in public life, and his lifelong Ficarrotta’s remarks came as he announced Martinez devotion to the Tampa community. as the 2018 Liberty Bell Award winner at the HCBA’s Martinez was elected as the 54th Mayor of Tampa in annual Law Day Luncheon at the Hilton Downtown on 1979. And, after his term as governor, he was appointed May 9. by President George H. W. Bush to the Cabinet-level Joining Ficarrotta in making the award presentation position of Director of National Drug Policy Control. were former Thirteenth Circuit Chief Judges Manny He currently is a Senior Policy Advisor with the Menendez and Dennis Alvarez, and also current Second Holland & Knight law firm in Tampa. DCA Chief Judge Edward LaRose. In accepting the award, Martinez talked about the The Liberty Bell Award has been presented annually great responsibility associated with making judicial by the HCBA since 1964, and it is intended to honor a appointments, and he thanked the HCBA for the award. citizen who does not practice law but who has worked “I will cherish it,” he said. tirelessly to preserve and strengthen our system of justice. Ficarrotta noted Martinez appointed numerous * * * minorities, including the first African-American woman During the luncheon, the outstanding work of the to the Thirteenth Circuit bench, and the first African- HCBA’s Law Week Committee was also highlighted. American woman to the Hillsborough County bench. Continued on page 9 8 SUMMER 2018 | HCBA LAWYER