Gary Siplin
Encyclopedia
Gary Anthony Siplin is a Democratic
member of the Florida Senate
, representing the 19th District since 2003. Previously he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives
from 2000 through 2002.
Siplin earned a B.A.
in political science
from Johnson C. Smith University
, where he became a member of Omega Psi Phi
fraternity. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh
, earning an M.A.
in Public and International Affairs. His Juris Doctor
was earned at the Duquesne University School of Law
.
In 2006, he was convicted of third-degree felony grand theft of $5,000 or more, as well as a misdemeanor statutory violation, for using the services of employees for his candidacy. He is the first convicted felon
to serve in the Florida Legislature
, and sponsored legislation
that would restore voting rights to himself and other convicted felons. While able to vote in the Senate, Siplin could not vote for himself in general elections. Siplin, however, enjoyed support from leaders in both political parties. In addition to members of the Democratic Party, Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt
, a Republican
, refused to call for the expulsion of Siplin from the Legislature until his appeals were exhausted.
On December 28, 2007, the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal
reversed his convictions and remanded the case to the trial court with directions that Siplin be acquitted of the felony charge, and that prosecutors be given permission to retry him on the misdemeanor charge.
Siplin sponsored SB 228, the "droopy drawers" bill in 2011. The bill would require Florida public school districts to add a ban on sagging pants
to their dress codes.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Florida Senate
Florida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....
, representing the 19th District since 2003. Previously he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
from 2000 through 2002.
Siplin earned a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University is a private, co-ed, four-year liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. JCSU is also a historically black college...
, where he became a member of Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos...
fraternity. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, earning an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Public and International Affairs. His Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
was earned at the Duquesne University School of Law
Duquesne University School of Law
Duquesne University School of Law is a private Catholic university law school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The School of Law was founded in 1911, and is the only multiple-division law school in western Pennsylvania. Located on the Duquesne University campus, the law school is walking...
.
In 2006, he was convicted of third-degree felony grand theft of $5,000 or more, as well as a misdemeanor statutory violation, for using the services of employees for his candidacy. He is the first convicted felon
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
to serve in the Florida Legislature
Florida Legislature
The Florida State Legislature is the term often used to refer to the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution states that "The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature of the State of Florida," composed of a Senate...
, and sponsored legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
that would restore voting rights to himself and other convicted felons. While able to vote in the Senate, Siplin could not vote for himself in general elections. Siplin, however, enjoyed support from leaders in both political parties. In addition to members of the Democratic Party, Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt
Ken Pruitt
Ken Pruitt was a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 28th District from 2000 to 2009. His district includes portions of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties...
, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, refused to call for the expulsion of Siplin from the Legislature until his appeals were exhausted.
On December 28, 2007, the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal
Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal
The Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida.-History:The Fifth District Court of Appeal was created by the 1979 session of the Florida Legislature.-Chief Judges:...
reversed his convictions and remanded the case to the trial court with directions that Siplin be acquitted of the felony charge, and that prosecutors be given permission to retry him on the misdemeanor charge.
Siplin sponsored SB 228, the "droopy drawers" bill in 2011. The bill would require Florida public school districts to add a ban on sagging pants
Sagging (fashion)
Sagging is a manner of wearing trousers below the waist, hanging below the waist area and therefore revealing much of the underwear. Sagging is predominantly a male fashion...
to their dress codes.
External links
- Gary Siplin official website
- Florida State Legislature - Senator Gary Siplin official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Gary Siplin (FL) profile
- Follow the Money - Gary Siplin
- Siplin v. State, No. 5D06-4071 (Fla. 5th DCA, Dec. 28, 2007)
- Business IT Services Inc Gary Siplin's IT Consultant