Webster gets a room named after him

Sen. Daniel Webster, the veteran Winter Garden Republican who became the first GOP speaker since reconstruction back in 1996, will get a room named after him. The House voted to name 212 Knott Building, one of the largest committee rooms in the entire Capitol, after Webster as of Nov. 4. when he ends his lengthy legislative career. The House also gave him a lengthy standing ovation as both Senate President Ken Pruitt and Sen. Lisa Carlton watched.

Webster joins other legislative veterans, including former Senate President Toni Jennings, who now has a room in the Capitol named after him.

""He is the power of a good example and a life well lived,'' said Rep. Dean Cannon, an Orlando lawmaker who is in line to become House Speaker in 2010. Cannon said Webster's example inspired him to run for the Florida Legislature.

House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber praised Webster for debating Democrats "without animus or judgment."

Webster himself told House members that he was totally surprised by the honor, saying that Cannon tricked him and told him to come to the House chamber "immediately."  "This is really awesome,'' said Webster. Webster, who was in the minority when he entered the Legislature in 1980, said his goal when he was speaker was "let every member" be part of the process and that he thought he had achieved his goal.

(UPDATE: The Senate this afternoon also honored Webster by approving the resolution.)