Former Clerk, Senator, County Commissioner Has Building Renamed In Her Honor

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Her 50-year legacy of public service is already evident throughout the hall of the Hillsborough County courthouse building at 419 Pierce St. And now the building will bear Pat Frank's name as well.

On Thursday, Hillsborough County hosted a dedication ceremony to rename the downtown Tampa building in honor of Frank, who most recently served as the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

Among those in attendance at the dedication of The Pat Collier Frank Courthouse was Frank herself, along with family, friends, colleagues and members of the Hillsborough County Commission.

The courthouse building is where Frank served as a Hillsborough County School Board member and where the legislative delegation met during her terms in as a state representative and senator.

The building now houses the State Attorney's Office, law library and official records, and it is where the clerk's office holds civil ceremonies.

Frank began her public service career when she was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board in 1972 during a time when there were fewer women leaders. Over the next 50 years, she served as state representative, state senator, county commissioner and clerk. Frank retired in January at the age of 91.

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously in February to rename the courthouse in honor of Frank upon the recommendation of Commissioner Harry Cohen.