Welcome To The Florida House Web site

We here at Florida House are excited to introduce the new and expanded Web site for Florida House On Capitol Hill. You will find a wide range of information about the mission, history and future endeavors of the Florida House organization, as well as helpful info about everything from Florida's Congressional Delegation to the best places to visit while you're in D.C.

You will want to put www.floridaembassy.com on your favorite Web sites list, as we will be adding more exciting features and information in the coming weeks. Please check in with us often and be sure stop by Florida House the next time you're on Capitol Hill.

Hear from Fernando Flamingo himself!

Fernando Flamingo has his own blog, where you can read for yourself where he has visited. He talks about his favorite sites and museums, all the must sees when taking a trip up to DC. Check it out yourself by visiting his blog website at www.fernandoflamingo.blogspot.com

Florida House honors distinguished artist Jackson Walker

Jackson Walker was awarded the Distinguished Artist Award by Florida House for his impact on the state's cultural life and his excellent artistic skills. He was presented this inaugural award at the Spring 2008 Board of Trustees meeting. At the meeting, Walker gave a speech about an underlying theme of Floridian mavericks that can be seen in his most recent collection of paintings called Legendary Florida.

A piece from this collection is currently on display at Florida House, Zora: The Maverick of Eatonville. The Legendary Florida collection is owned by the Museum of Florida Art in DeLand, Florida. Whether in Florida or around Capitol Hill, please take the opportunity to view this magnificent Floridian artwork!

The Florida Highwaymen: A Disappearing Landscape

Discover the cultural and artistic legacy of the Highwaymen at Florida House! An exhibit of artwork by the famous Floridian artists is currently displayed throughout the house. To learn more about the display, click here for an educational brochure.

All pieces are on loan from private collector Tony Hayton. This exhibit of Florida Highwaymen art is presented as a partnership between Florida House on Capitol Hill and the Florida Humanities Council.

Florida House featured in the Citrus County Chronicle

Norman Wagy wrote an article on Florida House that was featured on the front page of the Citrus County Chronicle on April 15, 2008. Click here to view the article.

Fernando Flamingo Goes Live!

Florida House, with the generous support of Trustee Terri Shikany and her family, has gone live with its educational interactive web map!

This new educational tool allows visitors and students an opportunity to explore Washington, D.C. via an interactive map of Washington's famous landmarks. Click on each landmark to learn about the major attractions in our nation's capital. Fernando Flamingo provides stimulating historical facts and convenient touring tips, such addresses and hours of operation.

Check out the Florida House Web Map at www.floridahousemap.com!

Governor Crist Accepts Invitation as Chair of Florida House

We are pleased to announce that Governor Charlie Crist has accepted our invitation to serve as Chair of Florida House! We look forward to the Governor's input and participation at Florida's embassy in Washington, D.C. Please stay tuned for more information on coming events with the Governor.

Florida House now accepting intern applications!

Florida House has an intern program that provides work experience and contacts in Washington D.C. for young Floridians. Internships are available in the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semester and offer nominal pay of $1,000 to help off set expenses. Space is limited and positions are competitive.

To apply, please fill out the Intern Application form, and return it to info@floridaembassy.com.

Florida selected as "Feature State" at DC's Taste of the South

Florida’s Gulf Coast Kid’s House was selected as the feature charity for the 25th anniversary celebration of Taste of the South. A child advocacy center located in the panhandle of Florida, Gulf Coast Kid’s House serves abused and neglected children in their community by providing a safe and child friendly environment where victims have access to comprehensive care.  Gulf Coast Kid’s House is expected to receive over $200,000 thanks to the efforts of Taste of the South and Florida House.   Additionally, a smaller portion of this year’s proceeds will go to the Washington, DC based charity Cornerstone Community Schools, a private school for inner-city children that strives to equip DC’s youth with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Florida House's own Sarah Finnane Hanafin was the Chair for the Florida Committee for Taste of the South. The theme for the evening was Florida: Treasure of the South featuring VIP chef Jim Shirley, from Pensacola's Fish House. Members from the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla also joined in the celebration, and EventMakers Corporation provided the amazing decor for the evening. Thanks to all of the generous sponsors and supporters that made this evening possible!

University of Florida National Championship Celebration

Thanks to the efforts of Trustee Cindy O’Connell, Florida House was privileged to host a luncheon reception honoring the University of Florida National Championship football team during their visit to Washington, D.C.  The entire Florida Congressional Delegation served as honorary hosts for this event to benefit Florida House, and over two hundred guests were in attendance.

Congressmen Cliff Stearns, Jeff Miller and Adam Putnam presented to the UF gator football team a United States flag - which was flown over the Capitol– along with signed greetings from every member of the Florida Congressional Delegation.

Special thanks to our event sponsors: BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, Barbour, Griffith & Rogers, Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, Florida Power & Light, Florida Sugar Cane League and Pinnacle West Capital Corporation.

Congratulations to Coach Urban Meyer and the University of Florida National Championship football team. Go Gators!

Florida House

Presents

Myth, Mortals and Immortality:

Works from Museo Soumaya de México

Early in her position as First Lady of Florida, Columba Bush set a goal of creating a partnership to bring a significant art collection from Mexico for an important exhibition in our nation’s capital. Of particular interest to Mrs. Bush is the work of internationally recognized artist Diego Rivera. She has steadily worked toward that goal for 8 years, creating partnerships and cultivating relationships.

Mrs. Bush’s vision joins the resources of The Smithsonian Institution, the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City, and Florida House to mount a world-class exhibit at the Smithsonian Latino Center(International Gallery) featuring over 100 works by some of Mexico’s most renowned artists, including Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Jose Agustín Arrieta, Jorge Gonzalez Camarena and David Alfaro Siqueiros . Many of the paintings and art pieces involved, spanning the 17th to the 20th century, have never before left Mexico.