Biographical Information
City of Residence: Pompano Beach
Occupation: Attorney
Child(ren): Jessica, Chloe, Robert, Bradley
Education: University of Rochester, B.A., History, 1971, Rush Rhees academic scholarship, junior year abroad at Universite de Paris, France; Case Western Reserve University, J.D., 1974, Dean's brief-writing competition finalist, Student Bar Association Committee Chair, Cuyahoga County Bar Association Scholarship, Cleveland Legal Aide Society Intern
Born: March 29, 1949, Oak Park, IL
History: Leland H. Rayson, father, six-term Member of the Illinois Legislature 1964-1976; Barbara C. Rayson, mother, Bremen Township School Board Member, Cook County, Illinois 1964-1968
Moved to Florida: 1976
Religious Affiliation: Methodist
Recreational Interest: tennis, fishing, and flying
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 1990, reelected subsequently
Majority Whip 1992-1994
Select Committee on Water Policy Chair 1994-1996
Democratic Caucus Vice Chair 1996-1998
Broward County Legislative Delegation Vice Chair 1996-1997, Chair 1997-1998
Florida Advisory Council of Environmental Education
Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida
Human Resource Development Commission
National Conference of State Legislatures - Science, Technology, and the Environment Delegate
Affiliations
American Bar Association 1974-1992
Royal Palm Civic Association President 1978
Broward Business Exchange Chair 1983
Pompano Beach Elementary School Advisory Board Chair 1989
Broward County Schools North Area Advisory Board Vice Chair 1990, 1991, and 1992
Highlights
Broward Community College Instructor, Criminal Justice Institute 1977-1980
Broward County Young Democrat of the Year 1991
North Area Advisory Outstanding Leadership Award 1991-1992
Democratic Women's Club of Florida Outstanding State Legislator 1991
Electrolysis Society of Florida Inc. Legislator of the Year 1992
Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Outstanding Legislative Member 1992
Broward Community College Presidential Leadership Award 1992
honored by the state Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council 1994, Gold Coast Shrine Club 1993 and 1994, DeHornele Alzheimer Pavilion 1994, Florida Association of School Psychologists 1993, and National Association of School Psychologists 1993
recognized by the Broward County Pharmacists Association 1991
Broward County Council of PTAs Legislator of the Year 1995
FTP-NEA Friendship of Education Award 1995
Nature Conservancy Outstanding Legislator of the Year 1995
Florida Consumer Action Network Consumer Champion 1996
Broward County Council of Professional Fire Fighters honoree 1996
Florida Wildlife Federation Legislator of the Year 1996
Environmental Coalition Legislator of the Year 1996
HMO Advocacy Committee Legislator of the Year 1996
Florida League of Conservation Voters Silver Star Award 1996
Florida Chapter American Planning Association Legislator of the Year 1996
Friend of the Nature Conservancy Award 1996
Florida Audubon Society Legislative Excellence Award 1996
Florida Chapter Sierra Club Most Effective Legislator for the Environment 1996
honored by the Broward County Trial Lawyers, Florida Autism Coalition Tribune, and Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward Counties Inc. 1997
The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Outstanding Representative Award 1997
Florida AFL-CIO Legislator of the Year 1997
Broward County AFL-CIO honoree for support of working men and women 1997
The Dolphin Democrat Club Jesse Portis Helm Award 1997
honored by the HMO Patients Advocate Committee 1997
North Broward Memory Disorder Center Appreciation Award for continu