U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, named members of his party to the various appropriations subcommittees Friday -- and three Florida Republicans won some plum assignments, giving the Sunshine State a large seat at the table when Congress sets federal expenditures.

With Americans marking the 518th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage on Monday, a bit of the spotlight should fall on Florida. Few Floridians are aware of the important part their state played in the epic and tragic tale of the Spanish discovery and conquest of the New World.