It's no surprise that Bill Nelson has always put Florida first. He's a fifth-generation Floridian, whose grandfather's homestead was just a few miles from the pad where Bill was launched into space as a crew member of the space shuttle Columbia. Indeed, Bill's roots in the Sunshine State run deep. He was born in Miami and attended public schools in Melbourne. Much of Bill's extended family lives in Florida's Panhandle, near the small town of Chipley. Since 1972, Bill has served Florida in various elective posts, including the state Legislature, U.S. Congress, Florida Cabinet and currently, as Florida's senior U.S. Senator.