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March 21, 2025
Paul Renner, Defensor Dignitatis Award
Paul Renner served with great distinction in the Florida House of Representatives, and as Speaker of the House from 2022-2024. Multiple pro-life initiatives ensuring support for women and young families were accomplished during his tenure, including the Heart Beat Protection act that ushered in Florida's 6-week abortion limit. When Amendment 4 reached the ballot, Speaker Renner gave generously of his political acumen to strategize with committees to see to its defeat. Towards the end of the campaign, he made a significant financial contribution that helped Vote No on 4 messaging to maintain parity with the other side.
Speaker Renner also made universal education savings accounts one of his top priorities, contributing to the successful passage of HB 1 in 2023, which expanded access to Florida’s already robust school choice programs to all students, regardless of income, and put Florida ahead of the rest of the United States in parental choice in education.
Speaker Renner is also a U.S. Navy veteran, former prosecutor, and business attorney. He resides in Palm Coast with his wife Adriana, and they have two children.
Steven Christie, M.D. and Grazie Christie, M.D., Distinguished Catholic Leader Award
Dr. Steven and Grazie Christie received the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award in honor of their determined commitment to the pro-life cause, and especially for their roles in defeating Amendment 4. Dr. Steven Christie specializes in radiology and is a member of the State Board of Medicine. He is also an attorney and a member of the Florida Bar. Steven is author of the book, Speaking for the Unborn: 30-Second Pro-Life Rebuttals to Pro-Life Arguments, endorsed by notable pro-life leaders, including Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Bishop Robert Barron.
Dr. Grazie Christie also specializes in radiology, and is a member of the State Board of Education. She is a well-known bilingual speaker on a range of topics. Her writings have been featured in the Washington Post, Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal; she has been a regular on EWTN.
As proponents of Amendment 4 began their ad campaign that distorted Florida abortion laws, the Board of Medicine acted to protect women at risk, releasing public service announcements featuring Dr. Steven Christie. When the Vote No public communications campaign got into full swing, Dr. Grazie Christie stepped up as the face and medical expert in a key ad highlighting the deceptive nature of the amendment. Together, they valiantly and publicly stood up to defeat Amendment 4, fielding many speaking events and interviews.
The Christies reside near Miami with their five children.
John Sowinski, Distinguished Catholic Leader Award
John Sowinski was presented with the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award in recognition of his instrumental role in defeating Amendment 4 at the ballot box last November. Sowinski is a founding partner of Orlando-based Consensus Communications, has over 30 years of experience in public policy and media relations, and is regarded as the premier expert on statewide referendum campaigns in Florida.
Among the many successes of the Amendment 4 campaign, he identified the most persuasive messages that were used among almost all opponents. He was also able to work closely with Governor DeSantis and his team as well as the Vote No management committee on nearly every aspect of the campaign.
Before Amendment 4, Sowinski was no stranger to the Conference, having worked closely with the bishops on many projects over the years.
He is a lifelong Catholic who now resides near Fort Pierce, and raised three sons with his wife, Patty.