Biographical Information
City of Residence: LaBelle
Occupation: Real Estate
Spouse: Barbara "Bobbie" Waters of Clewiston
Child(ren): Jim, Beth
Education: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 1965-1967; Edison Community College 1967-1968; Troy State University, B.S., Biological Science, 1970
Born: March 10, 1947, Hamlet, NC
History: J. R. "Jack" Spratt, father, member Florida House of Representatives 1965-1967
Moved to Florida: 1948
Religious Affiliation: Methodist
Recreational Interest: hunting, fishing
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 1996, reelected subsequently
Other Public Services
Jobs and Education Partnership Consortium (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties) 1995-1996
Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida 1995-1996
Hendry County Commissioner 1988-1996 (four years as Chair)
Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council 1989-1996
Hendry-LaBelle Recreation Board of Directors 1990-1996
LaBelle City Commission 1972-1974 and 1977-1982
Affiliations
LaBelle Masonic Lodge #379
York Rite Bodies
Araba Shrine Temple
LaBelle Jaycees, past President
Swamp Cabbage Festival, past Chairman
LaBelle Lions Club, past President
National Wild Turkey Federation, past Co-Chairman
Highlights
Florida Chamber of Commerce-Florida Business Agenda Legislative Report Card, 111% (Highest Scorer) 2002
National Federation of Independent Business "Good Friend" 2002
Small County Coalition Recognition for Leadership and Support on Behalf of Legislation and Funding Impacting Small Counties and Rural Communities in the State of Florida 2001, 2002
The Trust for Public Land, Legislative Leadership Award 2001
Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce, Dal Hall Memorial Award 2001
Florida Farm Bureau, Legislator of the Year 2001
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Legislator of the Year 2001
American Heart Association, Thank You For Your Support 2001
Associated Builders & Contractors of Florida Inc, Friend of Free Enterprise 2001
Florida Cattlemen's Legislator of the Year 2001
Distinguished Service Award "Road Builder of the Year" For Outstanding Work Securing Funding for Rural Road Projects, Hendry County Commission 2000
Florida Sheriffs Association Legislative Leadership Award 2000
Appreciation For Your Support on Legislative Issues, Heartland Educational Consortium 2000
Hendry County School System, Administrators, Teachers and Support Personnel, Appreciation for Advocacy and Support of Educational Concerns of Rural Small School Districts 2000
Florida Rural Health Association Appreciation for Service and Dedication to the Delivery of Health Care in Rural Florida 2000
Certificate of Appreciation from the Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County 2000
Certificate of Appreciation from Highlands County Board of Commissioners 1999
For Outstanding Leadership in Supporting State Legislation and Issues of Importance to Hendry County, Florida and All Small Rural Counties in Florida, Hendry County Board of County Commissioners 1999
Highlands County Farm Bureau Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Service 1999
Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award 1999
Small County Coalition Legislative Leadership Award 1999
For Continuing Leadership and Support of Florida's Small School Districts, Small School District Council Consortium 1998
Recognition and Thanks for Leadership and Support During the 1998 Legislative Session on Behalf of Small Counties and Rural Communities, Small County Coalition 1998
National Federation of Independent Business, Guardian of Small Business Award 1998
Greater LaBelle Chamber of Commerce, Citizen of the Year 1998
Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Government Official 1997
Small School District Council Consortium, Freshman Courage Award 1997