member of the House (behind only fellow Democrat Jamie Whitten). He is still the longest-serving member of either house of Congress in Florida's history. Proving just how Republican this district had become, the Democrats have only fielded a candidate in the district five times since Bennett's retirement, and none of them have cleared the 35 percent mark. Election Results Florida's 3rd congressional district, 1980: Charles E. Bennett (D) - 104,672 (77.07%) Harry Radcliffe (R) - 31,208 (23.0%) Florida's 3rd congressional district, 1982: Charles E. Bennett (D) - 73,802 (84.1%) George Grimsley (R) - 13,972 (15.9%) Florida's 3rd congressional district, 1990: Charles E. Bennett (D) - 84,280 (72.7%) Rod Sullivan (R) - 31,727 (27.3%) History Charles Bennett was a historical scholar who researched and wrote nine books about the history of north Florida, including General MacGregor: Hero or Rogue about Gregor MacGregor, Laudonniere & Fort Caroline, Three Voyages and Twelve on the River St. Johns. The Fort Caroline National Memorial and the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve were both created through his efforts. He is the only person to receive the Jacksonville Historical Society's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the society stated, "His contributions of original research and his additions to the body of knowledge on the area's history are staggering." The Charles E. and Dorothy J. Bennett Fund was established in 2008 at the University of Florida to encourage research and publication of Florida history. Death and legacy Bennett suffered a heart attack and a stroke in 2002, after which he used a wheelchair. His health steadily declined, and he died in Jacksonville in 2003 at age 92. His ashes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The Charles E. Bennett Federal Building at 400 West Bay Street in Jacksonville is named after him as is the Charles E. Bennett Elementary School in Green Cove Springs, Florida. The bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway on Jacksonville's Wonderwood Connector was dedicated on August 27, 2004 as the Charles E. Bennett Memorial Bridge. A life-size cast bronze statue of Bennett was installed on a granite base in a shady corner of Hemming Plaza in Jacksonville on April 23, 2004. Publications General MacGregor: Hero or Rogue , River City Press 2001 Laudonniere & Fort Caroline , University of Alabama Press, 2001 Three Voyages , University of Alabama Press, 2001 Twelve on the River St. Johns , University Press of Florida 1989 A Quest for Glory: Major