Florida State Majority Whip Jennifer Carroll wins Award

REP.JENNIFER CARROLL
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 13

In 2003, Jennifer won election to the State House of Representatives, District 13 and was
subsequently reelected without opposition in 2004. She is the first African-American female
Republican ever to be elected to the Florida Legislature. Currently, Representative Carroll is the
Vice-Chair of the Ethics and Elections Committee and serves on the Finance & Tax, Growth
Management and Business Regulation Committees, in addition to her duties as Majority Whip.

During the 2004 Legislative Session, Jennifer was able to pass meaningful legislation that
protects members of Neighborhood Crime Watch Programs from harassment and intimidation.
She also sponsored the "Live the Dream" specialty license plate which pays tribute to Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., by using his likeness. The proceeds from the sale of the plate will go to several
worthwhile organizations, including the March of Dimes and the Association of Healthy Start
Coalitions, to help reduce health disparities in low income communities. Jennifer was also
successful in securing much needed funding for library construction in Northeast Florida, as well
as securing statewide dollars for the Boy Scout's Learning for Life program and the Girl Scout's
character education functions.

Jennifer is the former Executive Director of Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. She was
responsible for the claims and benefits of over 1.8 million veterans. Under her leadership, more
than $63 million in retroactive compensation was awarded to Florida veterans. She lobbied for
the retention of state construction funds for the Bay and Charlotte County State Veterans' Nursing
Homes, and led the generation of two federal matching grant applications that resulted in $15
million in federal funds for these projects. She was also the Chairperson for Florida's Council on
Homelessness. Jennifer sought ways to provide enhanced services toward solving Florida's
homeless problem, particularly within the veteran's community. She also worked closely with the
Federal Department of Veterans Affairs to secure Jacksonville as a site to receive a national
veteran's cemetery.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of New Mexico and an
Honorary Doctorate Degree from Florida Metropolitan University.

Jennifer enlisted in the Navy in 1979, and rose through the ranks from an enlisted Jet Mechanic
to retire as a highly decorated Lieutenant Commander Aviation Maintenance Officer after
20-years service.

Jennifer has received numerous awards for her community service. She was the recipient of the
2001 Center for New Black Leadership Excellence in Leadership Award, 1998 First Coast African
American Women Award, 1996 Clay County Chamber of Commerce Military Person of the Year,
1996 YMCA Black Achievers Award recipient. In 1999 and 2002 she was awarded the "Top 10"
Republican Award from the Clay County Republican Party, and in 2004, "Legislator of the Year"
from the Northeast Florida Realtors Association.

Jennifer is a graduate of Project Blue Print Class of '97 and Leadership Jacksonville Class of
'97. She is a Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Orange Park Rotary, Paul Harris Fellow,
First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, member of Florida Metropolitan University
Board of Governor, Clay County Republican Executive Committee, Federated Republican
Women of Clay, dual member of Federated Republican Women of Duval, and dual member of
Duval Federated Republican Women's Club. She is the former Commissioner on the
Jacksonville Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women, a former Board Member of Gateway
Girl Scouts Council, Inc., and also a former Jacksonville Community Council Inc. member. She
was also an affiliate, and former Governor Appointee to the Northeast Regional Planning
Council. Jennifer is also an active member of American Legion Post 0197 and The Fleet
Reserve Association Post 128.

Jennifer is currently a board member of the Jacksonville Waterway Commission and the
Barco-Newton YMCA of Clay County.

In 2001 President George W. Bush appointed Jennifer to "The White House Presidential
Scholar's Commission," where she served until the spring of 2004. In May of 2004, Jennifer was
appointed to the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission by President Bush.

Jennifer resides in Clay County and is married to Mr. Nolan Carroll. They have three children.