Former Florida Senate President Jim King Dead

July 27th, 2009 - 2:16 am ICT by John Le Fevre  

Jim King Jim King, the former president of the Florida Senate died on Sunday aged 69 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

King served in the Florida Senate from 1999 until he died on Sunday and was its President from 2002 to 2004.

Prior to his move to the Senate, King was a member of the Florida House of Representatives for 12 years and in a 23 year public service career served as majority leader of both Florida houses of parliament.

King was one of the longest serving members of the Florida legislature.

In 2001 King sponsored a law to prevent public access to autopsy records without the consent of the deceased’s next of kin, and in In 2005, he led the effort to attempt to block the bill that restarted life support for Terri Schiavo, also known as “Terri’s Law”.

His support of Death with Dignity laws was one of his most notable achievements, enabling adults to make their own decision about treatment during terminal illness.

King is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Linda Braddock King and his two daughters Monta Bolles and Laurie Anne Dolan.

Sarah Bascom, family spokeswoman, said, “it is with great sadness that the King family informs you of the passing of former Senate President James E. “Jim” King, Jr.

“President King battled his final campaign as he did all others - with a fighter’s heart and with humor and humility,”

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