Press Releases
Rep. Lawson Announces District Winners of Congressional App Competition
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (Fl-05) is proud to announce Florida's 5th Congressional District App Challenge winners are Tallahassee School of Math and Science students Liam Tolia, Issa Allison, Jackson Flowers and Gabriel Campbell. The Congressional App Challenge's mission is to inspire, include and innovate efforts around STEM and computer science education. The app, "Escape the CoronaVirus," was created to entertain all who play the game, and to relieve some of the stress caused by the pandemic. … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Rep. Lawson Helps to Secure National Science Foundation Grant for Jacksonville University to Train Students in STEM
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) has helped to secure a $943,266 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for Jacksonville University. This grant will support "Project-based Service Learning and Career-training to Support Graduation and Career Readiness of Engineering and Computing Science Majors," which will help meet the national need for engineers and computer scientists by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students at Jacksonville … Continue Reading
November 16, 2020
Rep. Lawson Requests Support for Conservation Projects in Florida
WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) sent a letter to Chief of the United States Forest Service Vicki Christiansen requesting the support of the Osceola National Forests' Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) application. These funds would restore longleaf pine habitat, improve watershed protection and increase public recreational access by acquiring the Pineroots property and the Summers property. "Protecting these lands will deliver expanded access to … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Earns 100 Percent Rating on Human Rights Campaign Congressional Scorecard
WASHINGTON DC -U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) recently earned a 100-rating supporting on the Human Rights Campaign Congressional Scorecard for the 116th Congress. The score chart was used to measure a candidate support for equality and equality promoting measures. This recognition is given to members of Congress for supporting and aiding the LGBTQ community along with some of society's most marginalized groups. Throughout the duration of his career, Lawson has been dedicated to working towards … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Rep. Lawson Secures Funding for Transitional Housing Assistance Grants
WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Rep. Lawson (FL-05) recently helped to secure $1,000,000 in Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for the City of Jacksonville and the Refuge House in Tallahassee, Fla. The grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program will provide aid to victims who are homeless, or in need of transitional housing as a result of their victimization. Both centers will use grant funds to offer holistic, victim-centered approaches to … Continue Reading
September 19, 2020
Rep. Lawson Statement on the Passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) released the following statement about the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg: "We have lost an icon with the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She was a woman only 5'1 in stature, but moved mountains to propel our nation forward. She was a trailblazer who paved the way for so many who have come after her. Justice Bader Ginsberg provided a platform for women, and fought for to ensure they had a voice at the table. From … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
CLYBURN, JOHNSON, JOHNSON AND LAWSON CALLS ON SENATE TO PASS THE GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (SC-06) and Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Al Lawson (FL-05) held a call with regional reporters calling on the Senate to take up the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the House in June with bipartisan support. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act reimagines policing for the 21st Century by banning chokeholds, stopping no-knock warrants, combatting racial profiling, … Continue Reading
August 27, 2020
Rep. Lawson Introduces House Resolution to Honor James Weldon Johnson Park
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) introduced H.Res.1088 on August 18 to designate James Weldon Johnson Park in Jacksonville, Florida as part of the National Park Service's African American Civil Rights Network. The site, formerly Hemming Park, stood at the center of the August 27, 1960 race riot - known as Ax Handle Sunday - where a mob of some 200-middle aged and older white men armed with baseball bats and ax handles attacked a group of non-violent, peaceful protestors … Continue Reading
August 22, 2020
Rep. Lawson Votes to Pass the Delivering for America Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Lawson (FL-05) voted to pass H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act, 257-150. This legislation requires the Postal Service to return to the operations that were in place on January 1, 2020 throughout the duration of the coronavirus public health emergency. It also requires all election mail to be treated as First-Class mail. The Delivering for America Act provides $25 billion in critical funding for the Postal Service - the same level of funding recommended … Continue Reading
August 19, 2020
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson to Host Virtual Military Academy Day
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) will host a Virtual Military Academy Day on Monday, August 31 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Recruiters from the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marines Academy will be on the virtual call to discuss the application and admissions process. Rep. Lawson's staff will also be on hand to answer … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson to Host Virtual Roundtable with Tallahassee Minority Small Business Owners
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - Tomorrow, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) will host a virtual small business roundtable to focus on some of the unique challenges facing Tallahassee's minority small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for all small businesses, but we know that Black-owned small businesses face distinct barriers adding to their struggles," Rep. Lawson said. "We have to do more to support Black small businesses, which are cornerstones in … Continue Reading
July 30, 2020
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Votes to Pass the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act
WASHINGTON DC - This week, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson voted to pass the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act, which will establish a 19-member commission to examine the social disparities that disproportionately affect black males in America. Commission members will review homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rates, poverty, violence, fatherhood, mentorship, drug abuse, death rates, disparate income and wealth levels, school performance in various grade levels and health … Continue Reading
July 30, 2020
Rep. Lawson Votes to Cut Off Justice Department Funds for Anti-ACA Lawsuit
WASHINGTON DC - Today, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson voted to pass an amendment to prevent the Justice Department from spending any federal funds for the Trump Administration's lawsuit to strike down the Affordable Care Act. "For months, the coronavirus crisis has wreaked a deadly toll on the lives and livelihoods of the people of Florida and all Americans," Rep. Lawson said. "Today, as our nation reached a staggering 4.5 million people infected, the need for access to quality, affordable health … Continue Reading
July 17, 2020
Rep. Lawson Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis
WASHINGTON, DC. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) issued the following statement on the passing of civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis: "We have lost a giant with the passing of Congressman John Lewis. He was a humble leader who dedicated his life to service, justice and equality for all. When we talk about a true 'Champion for the People,' John Lewis is the embodiment of that title. He was more than a colleague, but a mentor to all of us who serve in Congress. I will never forget earlier … Continue Reading
July 08, 2020
Lawson Returns More Than $3.4 Million to North Florida Families, Closes Over 1,100 Cases
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) announced that he and his staff have recovered more than $3.4 million owed to residents of Florida's 5th Congressional District by helping to push their cases through the federal bureaucracy. Since taking office in January 2017, Rep. Lawson and his staff have closed more than 1,100 constituent cases, with 170 resulting in a financial reimbursement, with federal agencies. "A large number of the cases we help with are dealing with Veterans Affairs … Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Rep. Al Lawson Announces Congressional Art Competition Winner
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) has announced that Desiree Thompson-Huderson, a student at the Pace Center for Girls in Jacksonville, has been selected as the winner of his Congressional Art Competition. Thompson-Huderson's artwork, "The Stray," will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year along with other first-place winners from across the country. "I congratulate Desiree on her winning piece, 'The Stray,'" Rep. Lawson said. "We had several talented artists to … Continue Reading
June 26, 2020
Rep. Lawson Votes to Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) voted in favor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the House by a vote of 236 to 181. The legislation is a direct response to the calls of countless Americans who have demanded action to address the crisis of systematic racism and police brutality. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act holds police accountable, changes the culture of law enforcement, empowers our communities and builds trust between law enforcement and … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Lawson Statement on the Murders of Oluwatoyin “Toyin” Salau and Victoria Sims
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson released the following statement regarding the murders of Oluwatoyin "Toyin" Salau and Victoria Sims in Tallahassee, Fla.: "This has been a devastating hit, not just to our Tallahassee community, but people across our nation are also grieving. The world is wrestling to understand how two women dedicated to helping others, one heading into the prime of her life, could be taken in such an abrupt and violent way. Although their voices have been silenced … Continue Reading
June 02, 2020
U.S. Reps. Lawson, Dunn Request Immediate Federal Aid for Lake City’s HAECO Airframe Services
LAKE CITY, Fla. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) and Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) sent a letter to U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza requesting federal aid through the Payroll Protection Program be approved for Lake City's HAECO Airframe Services, LLC. The company, which performs aircraft maintenance for U.S. airlines, is also one of the largest employers in the city. They filed for federal assistance under the … Continue Reading
May 29, 2020
Rep. Lawson Requests Aid for Community Volunteer Fire Departments in Next Relief Package
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to express his concerns about the waiver in the House passed Heroes Act that would eliminate the requirement that FEMA allocate 25 percent of Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awards to voluntary fire departments. Lawson asked that the waivers are not be included in next round of … Continue Reading