Bill Galvano presented the G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Award

Bill Galvano and Gary Lesser.
Described as “a true definition of a servant leader,” especially when it comes to service to his community, former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano was awarded the G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Award at the Bar’s Annual Convention in Boca Raton.
Established in 1998, the award recipient selects a Florida law school and a scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates an exceptionally high degree of integrity, ethics, professionalism, and a concern for others.
Outgoing Bar President Gary Lesser said he chose Galvano for the award because of his service on “so many levels.”
Galvano served Florida as an elected official starting in 2002 though 2020. After serving in the Florida House, Galvano ran for the Florida Senate where he served in many leadership roles, most notably as Senate majority leader for two years, and president from 2018 through 2020. During his time in office, Lesser said Galvano was a great supporter of funding for the judicial branch and was recognized for his leadership and efforts by The Florida Bar and many other organizations.
“But Bill is also a lawyer’s lawyer, working out of his firm’s downtown Bradenton office,” Lesser said. “And Bill is the true definition of a servant leader, especially when it comes to service in the community. Bill has been recognized by many organizations for his work in K to 12 and higher education, health care, state infrastructure, protecting children, and supporting people with unique abilities. Bill was the sponsor of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act in 2018 following the tragic shooting in Parkland.”
Lesser said through the Annual Phil Galvano Golf Classic, named in memory of his father, Galvano has raised millions of dollars for public schools to provide enhanced educational opportunities for students and teachers. As an advocate for the homeless, he has also helped serve countless people through the Bill Galvano Center at the Turning Points facility in Bradenton.
“But if you asked Bill what his biggest accomplishment is, he would tell you that it’s his family,” Lesser said. “His wife Julie, who is with us today, and his three children: Michael, William, and Jacqueline.”