February 15, 2017

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Welcomes New Fellow Rashad Stafford

WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-5) announced the addition of Jacksonville native Rashad L. Stafford to his Washington D.C. office staff.

Stafford will serve as a Public Engagement Fellow in Lawson’s office over the next four months. His responsibilities will include developing a strategic social media engagement plan, planning and executing press events in Florida’s fifth Congressional district, writing news releases and speeches and responding to constituent mail.

“We are excited to have Rashad as part of the team,” said Rep. Lawson. “In the short time he has been with our office, he has made an immeasurable impact. I am confident he will spend the next few months further developing his skillset and learning from everyone on Capitol Hill.”

Stafford is a graduate of Florida A&M university, where he majored in Public Relations, and also of Robert E. Lee Senior High School, where he served as senior class president.

“I never thought I would be here in D.C., working for my own Congressman,” said Stafford. “Congressman Lawson represents many of my family and friends that reside in Jacksonville and Tallahassee. It is truly an honor to be here during such a vital time in history and witness America’s democracy first-hand."

Stafford’s elementary school teacher, Helen Dunbar, is not surprised by his recent accomplishment.

“As an elementary student, whom I had the privilege to teach for two years, Rashad was an exceptional student who always exhibited leadership,” said Dunbar. “He was an eager student who set goals, accomplished them and then immediately set more. Rashad was like a sponge!  He internalized learning to a high degree but was selfless for he always wanted to make sure his classmates learned just as much as he did. He understood as a child how to lead and to give.”