Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Richard ``Rick'' Ellis Namey, who died of a heart attack on February 26 at the age of 66. Rick wasn't a man defined by one title, one line of work, or one talent. He was many things: successful concert promoter, advertising genius, pitchman, standup comic, author, screenwriter, and political activist. Friends and family say one thing is certain; he didn't do anything halfway. With every endeavor, he went all out.

Rick was born in Baltimore on February 12, 1949. The oldest son of Albert and Salam Namey, his father met his mother while traveling abroad in Beirut, Lebanon. An aerospace engineer, Albert took a job with Martin Marietta and the family moved to Orlando when Rick was 10.

Rick began pursuing his ambitions while attending Winter Park High School and Sanford Naval Academy. At age 16, he won a teen disc jockey competition on WLOF-AM and began managing local bands like Mr. Banana and the Bunch and Marshmallow Steamshovel. He was also a performer.

Rick's first business venture was a coffee shop called The Hobbit in Daytona Beach, which catered to the hippie crowd, followed by The Purple Door in Bithlo. His success booking national acts like Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band for events at the Tangerine Bowl and the Daytona International Speedway led him to start Cosmic Productions. Rick was part of the promotional team for Woodstock and appears in a documentary about the 1969 music festival.

Rick took ideas and turned them into reality, even if they failed. During the Summer of Love, he started a business selling love beads. He had an importer, stringer, and packager and he was going to make thousands--until it was revealed the ink on his product was poisonous. Despite some setbacks, Rick's many successes were featured in an Orlando Sentinel article when he was just 23.

An active participant in the civil rights movement, Rick attended rallies and worked on presidential campaigns including McGovern/ Eagleton and Carter/Mondale. Though Central Florida was always his home and he worked hard to promote it, he often rubbed elbows with the rich and famous. Old photos show Rick and the Carter family at home watching the Kentucky Derby in the 1970s.

The list of Rick's accomplishments is long. Rick and his brother, Charles, started two of Orlando's first black pop radio stations--WORJ and WORL--and Kissimmee's first tourist channel. Rick had a nationally syndicated radio show with Hugh Rodham, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's brother. He also served as interim manager for the Backstreet Boys and cut an album of Vietnam War protest songs.

Through his company, Stuyvesant Corporation, Rick wrote hundreds of TV and radio ads including ``Mr. Stereo and Video,'' ``Mad Max,'' ``Cheese Wars'' and ``Sounds Unlimited.'' Many of his ads garnered him national Addy Awards for creative excellence.

Rick was most proud of his screenwriting, which included Lake Woebegone Boys with Garrison Keiler, and Matt Merlin, a story about a kid wizard. Universal Studios optioned Matt Merlin well before Harry Potter took the world by storm.

He was also the author of several published non-fiction books including Fodor's Disney Like A Pro, Orlando Like A Pro, and Buy This Book and Make Me Rich, a political satire. His most recent book, Casey's Ghost, chronicled his brief stint as the ghost writer for Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of the 2008 murder of her daughter Caylee in a trial televised worldwide.

Mr. Namey was a longtime member of Mensa. In recent years, he spent his time volunteering for local Democratic candidates and rallying for liberal causes. His ideas never stopped, his opinions grew stronger with age, and his love for his family was unparalleled.

I am humbled to honor the memory, life, and outstanding achievements of Richard Namey.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding member of the Central Florida community, Trevor Colbourn. Trevor passed away on January 13, 2015 at the age of 87 and will be deeply missed.

Born in Armindale, New South Wales, Australia on February 24, 1927, Trevor became the second President of, what was then known as, the Florida Technological University in 1978. Recognizing that the University had grown beyond being just ``Florida's Space University,'' Trevor renamed the institution the University of Central Florida. In addition to the high-profile name change, Trevor also established the University's honors program and a football program that went on to earn national rankings. Trevor nurtured Orlando's fledgling research park, and developed a partnership with Orange County that has created thousands of high tech jobs and helped transform the region's economy.

Under Trevor's leadership, the University introduced the state's first stand-alone doctoral program in computer science, and expanded its Ph.D. offerings to include civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, industrial and environmental engineering. Trevor also spearheaded a long effort to create equitable funding for the state's newer universities to put them on the same financial footing as the well- established state universities.

Known as the ``Scholar President,'' Trevor held degrees from the University of London, the College of William and Mary, and the Johns Hopkins University, where he earned his doctorate in American History in 1953. An expert on the American Revolution and Thomas Jefferson, Trevor penned a number of books and articles, including The Lamp of Experience, Fame and the Founding Father, and The Americans: A Brief History.

Trevor was an active member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, the Orlando Crime Prevention Association, the Board of Visitors of the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, the United Way, the Greater Orlando Sports Organizing Committee, the Kiwanis Club, the boards of the local opera company and public television station and the Organization of American Historians.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Trevor is survived by Beryl, his wife of 66 years, his daughters, Katherine ``Kit'' Wrye and Elinor Colbourn, and four grandchildren.

I am saddened by the loss of such a valuable member of the Central Florida community and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Florida's LGBT community in their fight against discrimination. In particular, I would like to commend their commitment to bringing marriage equality to the great State of Florida.

Following decades of advocacy and exhaustive legal battles, marriage equality finally became legal this week in Florida. At 12:01 a.m. on January 6, 2015, the Osceola County Courthouse opened its doors. I stood with Armando Ramirez, the county's Clerk of Courts, as he conducted the first same-sex marriage ceremony in Central Florida, which united County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb and her partner of 22 years, Patti Daugherty. At long last, the promise of marriage equality was fulfilled.

More than twenty couples participated in marriage ceremonies, before the courthouse doors closed at 2 a.m. These couples had at last achieved one of the greatest promises of this nation, the promise of equal protection under the law.

What this demonstrated is that the American Dream is not really about a house, a job, or a 401(k) plan. The American Dream is also about love, opportunity, and equality--the promise that each and every one of us has the right to love whomever we please, and the opportunity to have our love recognized equally by the law.

Thanks to the unrelenting efforts of Floridians fighting for marriage equality, same-sex couples in Florida finally had that opportunity. The marriages that began on January 6th at 12:01 a.m. could not have happened without the perseverance of these individuals.

To those Floridians who fought for this day, I say ``congratulations'' and ``thank you.'' Thank you for helping our State and our communities come one step closer to true equality. I am proud to have worked with you to achieve this goal. There is more work to be done, and I look forward to serving as your ally in the years ahead.

The Osceola County Commission and the Osceola County Clerk of Courts Armando Ramirez also deserve thanks for their efforts. When county clerks in Florida were advised that they would face arrest if they issued same-sex licenses, Commissioner Grieb and I called on State Attorney Jeff Ashton to promise that he would not prosecute clerks for doing so. Thankfully, he agreed. Following my letter urging the County Commission to ensure that same-sex marriages could take place in Osceola County immediately, the Commission and the Clerk worked together to issue licenses and conduct ceremonies as soon as legally possible.

I also want to acknowledge the Floridians who fought for marriage equality but never lived to see this dream become reality. For those who called for marriage equality when others said it was impossible; those who had the audacity to believe in equality when many could not; and those who paved the way for this historical achievement but never experienced it for themselves. This is their legacy. May their memory serve as an inspiration for the next generation of Floridians striving to achieve a more equal and just world.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to celebrate this enormous accomplishment and honor the Floridians who made this happen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Eduardo Posada. Born in Puerto Rico on February 8, 1929, his father was a Colombian native and his mother was Puerto Rican. He spent his early years in New York City until 1935, when his family moved back to Puerto Rico. Except for two brief stints back in New York, Ed stayed in Puerto Rico where he obtained his BA from the Polytechnic Institute of Puerto Rico (now Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico) in 1949.

Ed worked for two years in Puerto Rico as a secondary school teacher. He married Urania Feliciano and had a son, Luis. The family then moved to New York, where Ed joined the U.S. Air Force. While serving at Governor's Island, New York, Ed and his wife had a second son, Danny. In June, 1955 Ed was separated from the Air Force as a sergeant and assigned to the U.S. Air Force Reserves. In 1956, he was found unfit for active duty and discharged from the service due to disabilities.

Ed went to work as a secondary school teacher and completed his MA at Hunter College of the City University of New York in 1959. Ed eventually became Assistant Dean for Boys at Theodore Roosevelt High School.

The family next moved to Miami where Ed continued to teach until 1987, when he retired. While in Miami, he had the honor of being part of the newly formed United Teachers of Dade and served as vice president for the group. In 1987, Ed retired from teaching and moved to Orlando with his wife.

Ed has since been an active member of the American Legion, Korean War Veterans, and

the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He has held leadership positions in all three organizations and, at present, he is a member of the executive board and legislative officer for the local chapter of the DAV. He also volunteers at the VA Medical Center and runs the Bingo event once a month at the VA nursing home in Lake Nona.

I am happy to recognize Eduardo Posada, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his service to our country and the Central Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Kenneth D. McClintock. McClintock served as the 22nd Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. As Secretary of State, he fulfilled two roles, serving as the head of Puerto Rico's Department of State and, perhaps even more important, serving as lieutenant governor. McClintock also served as Acting Governor whenever the Governor was away from Puerto Rico.

As Secretary of State, he digitalized his department, reducing backlogs and speeding up services, in spite of having lost 60 percent of his employees through early retirements, attrition and involuntary layoffs triggered by the fiscal crisis of 2008 to 2009. Governor Fortuno delegated multiple additional responsibilities to McClintock, such as chairing the Advisory Council on Government Reform and Reorganization. McClintock's government reorganization plans resulted in the streamlining of government services and agencies, the creation of new agencies, such as the Financial Education Institute, and multi- million dollar savings.

McClintock capped a 16-year career as a member of the Puerto Rico Senate, serving as the 13th President of the Senate of Puerto Rico from 2005 to 2009. He also served as the youngest and the first Hispanic chairman of the nationwide Council of State Governments in 1999. In 2000, McClintock served as the second president of the hemispheric-wide Parliamentary Conference of the Americas (COPA).

McClintock is the author of Puerto Rico's Telecommunications Reform Law of 1996 as well as over 100 other laws.

McClintock is an adjunct professor of US Government and Government Management at

Interamerican University's San Juan campus. He coauthored a book with Puerto Rico's State Democratic Chair, Roberto Prats, about the 2008 Clinton presidential campaign in Puerto Rico, which they co-chaired.

The founder of a congressional internship program that has been replicated by nineteen states and territories, he is a longtime board member of a DC-based nonprofit, The Washington Center for Academic Internships and Scholarships. In his spare time, McClintock is an avid coin collector and an active member of the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico.

Born in London, England in 1957, his father, a native of Texas, was an architect, while his mother, born in Puerto Rico, was a college professor. McClintock is the proud father of a Georgetown University sophomore and aspiring actor, Kevin Davison, and a high school senior, Stephanie Marie.

I am happy to honor Kenneth McClintock, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his contributions to the Puerto Rican community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Izadeli ``Iza'' Montalvo Vazquez. Iza was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and was raised in the town of Sabana Grande. From a very early age, she demonstrated a gift for poetry and by the age of seven, she wrote her first poem. Her love for writing was inherited from her uncle, Emilio Forestier Gregory, a lawyer and published poet in Puerto Rico.

Her parents, both public school teachers, encouraged her to get involved in the community. She started writing theatrical plays for her school to bring awareness to different topics and to raise funds for student clubs. In middle school, she founded the student's newspaper, ``Eco Estudiantil.'' Iza was an honor student throughout her school years. At the age of 14, she started playing professional volleyball. In her senior year of high school, she was offered a scholarship to play for the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico's volleyball team. The Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation also signed her to join Las Leonas de Ponce.

In college, Iza continued to follow her passion for writing by joining the Jose Gautier Benitez literature club, where she received numerous awards for her poetry. She also earned third place in a poetry competition where film director, Jacobo Morales, served as the judge.

In 1998, Iza moved to New York City. She continued her undergraduate studies at St. John's University in Queens, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism in 2001. During that time, she interned at Univision 41 in New Jersey and at El Diario La Prensa, where she was hired to work as reporter. She has reported about the protests at the United Nations against the Navy's presence on the island of Vieques, protests in Times Square against the War in Iraq, the World Economic Forum, the aftermath of September 11th, Abner Louima and Amadou Diallo's police brutality cases, and dozens of homicides.

In 2004, Iza moved to Orlando to work as a reporter for El Nuevo Dia Orlando, part of Puerto Rico's largest daily newspaper. Her work has been published in newspapers including Caribbean Business, El Nuevo Dia in Puerto Rico, La Prensa in Panama, La Opinion, La Raza and El Mensajero.

Iza has also worked as a reporter for The Ledger, a company owned at the time by The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group. There she covered immigration and other topics of interest to the Hispanic community. In Florida, Iza reported on the 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the NBA's All-Star Game in Orlando, and the 2012 presidential and local elections, among other stories. Iza has conducted many interviews, including one with Jose Melendez Perez, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Protection Inspector at the Orlando International Airport who became a key national figure when he refused entry to a terrorist involved in planning the 9/11 attacks. As a TV producer, she arranged an exclusive interview with Joseph Acaba, the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to be named as a NASA astronaut candidate.

Iza's professional experience also includes working as a producer for Univision WVEN TV 26 in Altamonte Springs and as my press secretary during 2013. She has been a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) since 2001, and she was recently named honorary godmother of the International Association of Writers and Poets (AIPEH). At age 39, Iza became the editor in chief of La Prensa, Central Florida's oldest Spanish language newspaper. La Prensa is owned by ImpreMedia, the leading Hispanic news and information company in the

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Dennis Freytes. Dennis has worked and excelled in the business, government, and non-profit sectors, and as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army.

During his time in the Army, he was the Commander of Infantry, Special Forces, Engineer, Medical, and other units deployed worldwide on security and humanitarian missions. He served on General Staff and dealt diplomatically with over 32 countries.

Upon retiring from the Army, Dennis worked at a number of institutions and companies including BlueChip Energy/Advanced Solar Photonics, the Small Business Administration, the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, the University of Puerto Rico, and Mathematic Policy Research.

Dennis has volunteered his time to help seniors, youth, veterans, small businesses, and state, local and national government. He is the current Vice President for the Southeast Region of the National Association for Uniformed Services. In his role as Vice President, Dennis helps to promote a strong national defense and to protect veterans' benefits. Dennis also serves as Veterans Advisor to Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and as Chair of the Florida Civil Rights Association's Government Committee.

Dennis previously served as Trustee for Valencia Community College and sat on the Orange County Schools Search Committee. He also volunteered with the Citizens Commission for Children, Alliance for Children and Families, Seniors First, the United Way Board, YMCA Youth Achievers, and a number of other civic and social justice groups.

Dennis is the Founding Chairman of the Hispanic Achievers Grant Council. He has received numerous medals and awards for his outstanding military, professional, and volunteer service.

I am happy to recognize Dennis Freytes, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his service to the United States and contributions to the Central Florida Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Caridad Cortes. Caridad was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. She relocated to Kissimmee, Florida with her children in 1994, while her husband continued to work in New York until he retired in 1997. She has worked in the healthcare industry for most of her career as a Case Manager.

In 2006, when her children were grown, Caridad was ready to continue her education. She returned to Walden University where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Minor in Human Resources in 2009. Caridad is a freelance writer for online media and is an avid photographer in her spare time. She is always exploring her creative side.

Since she first moved to Kissimmee, Caridad has seen immense changes in her community. Caridad seeks to spark change by getting involved in local social causes. She is the Recording Secretary of the Democrats of Osceola and a member of the Osceola Chapter of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus.

Caridad is married to John Cortes, Democratic Candidate Elect for the Florida House of Representatives, District 43. John and Caridad have been married for 33 years and have two children and one grandchild. Caridad is always there for her family, and there is no task too large or small for her to take on.

I am happy to honor Caridad Cortes, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for her contributions to the Central Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Florida State Representative Ricardo Rangel. Born in Bronx, New York, Ricardo grew up in a military family, traveling the country with his father, who retired as a Master Sergeant. His passion for leadership developed at an early age, as he was very active as a teenager and took on a number of leadership roles.

After graduating high school, Ricardo followed in the footsteps of his father and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Ricardo was honorably discharged as a Sergeant after serving twelve years and earning five Certificates of Achievement for Outstanding Work Performance, two Army Achievement Medals for Outstanding Work Performance and three Good Conduct Medals for being a model soldier. Ricardo currently works as a senior marketing manager for AT&T.

Ricardo is no stranger to public service. After the Army, Ricardo has continued his focus on public service. He has been involved in community events such as United We Paint, Bowl for Kids' Sake and the Ricardo Rangel Annual Softball Game benefitting Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Florida. His continued activism and leadership in the community earned him the Emerging Leadership Award from the NAACP and the National Leadership Award from the Business Council.

Ricardo graduated with a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Management from Warner University, which has afforded him opportunities to work on different political campaigns. He has managed local races in Florida as well as federal races for candidates in Arizona, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Recognizing his management skills and strong work ethics, Ricardo was voted ``Florida Young Democrat of the Year'' in 2003.

With the economy still sluggish and the desire to help working families, Ricardo decided to run for the Florida House of Representatives. In 2012, Ricardo was elected with 68 percent of the vote to represent Osceola County's District 43 in the Florida House of Representatives. Within a few months of being in office he quickly jumped in and led the charge to protect working-class families. He also earned the respect of the business community by showing that he supports business friendly policies and is eager to work across party lines for economic development that will help create jobs.

As a member of the Florida Legislature, Representative Rangel serves on the Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Government Operations Subcommittee, Veteran and Military Affairs Subcommittee, Local and Federal Affairs Committee, and State Affairs Committee. Ricardo also currently serves as a member of the State Executive Committee for the Florida Democratic Party.

I am happy to recognize Representative Ricardo Rangel, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his leadership and service to the Central Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Armando Ramirez. Mr. Ramirez was born and raised in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and

educated in the public school system. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War.

After serving in the military, Mr. Ramirez moved to New York City where he worked while continuing his education during the evenings. Mr. Ramirez attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, and graduated from Saint Francis College, Brooklyn, NY in 1980, with a degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science. He took several civil service examinations and became a police officer in New York City. Mr. Ramirez believes now, as he did then, that working as a police officer was a mission, not just a career in public service.

During Mr. Ramirez's 30-year career as a law enforcement officer in New York City, he served in rackets and fraud investigations while assigned to the District Attorney's office in New York City. He worked in the organized crime, homicide, narcotics, major cases, political corruption, economic crime, and sex crimes bureaus.

Mr. Ramirez is currently the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Osceola County. He was elected on November 6, 2012 by an overwhelming majority. He is the first Hispanic to hold this position in the state of Florida.

In his capacity as Clerk, Mr. Ramirez responds to constituent concerns of wrongdoing. Currently, he is conducting a forensic examination of alleged fraudulent foreclosure documents submitted by banks to Osceola County courts.

I am happy to recognize Armando Ramirez, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his service to the United States and the Central Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Samuel C. Lopez. Samuel was born in Brooklyn, New York and graduated from the Bronx Vocational High School. Samuel went on to attend New York State School of Industrial & Labor Relations at Cornell University. After graduating, Samuel worked as a Journeyman Electrician Craftsman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union Number 3 for over 30 years.

Samuel has always been involved with politics and helping his community. First getting involved in electoral campaigns in New York in the 1970s, he has remained active in politics since moving to Florida in the 1990s. Samuel has participated in numerous national, state, and local elections.

Samuel has taken the lead as Founder, Chairman, and President of numerous organizations including U.T.B., United Third Bridge, Inc. (U.T.B.), the Florida Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (FPRHCC), the Florida Puerto Rican/Hispanic and Minority Empowerment Committee, Brevard County's Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the Royal Order of Juan Ponce de Leon Historical V Centennial Celebration Committee.

Samuel is currently a member of the Brevard County School System's Minority Advisory Committee, the Eastern Florida State College Police Advisory Council, the Brevard Community College Minority Partnership, and is a past member of the Brevard County Historical Commission.

Samuel partnered with the Equal Opportunity Commission in bringing 19 successful discrimination lawsuits against the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union Number 3, which resulted in a hiring practice that promotes hiring minorities. Through his work with U.T.B. and the FPRHCC, Samuel spearheaded the effort for the installation of a Juan Ponce de Leon statue and sponsorship wall at the Ponce de Leon Historical Landing Site at Melbourne Beach.

I am happy to honor Samuel C. Lopez, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his leadership and contributions to the Central Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Melba Luciano. Mrs. Luciano earned her bachelor's degree in Health Education from Hunter College in New York and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Nova University.

A dedicated educator, she has over 30 years of experience in education, through a variety of positions including Classroom Assistant, Teacher, Elementary Resource Specialist, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. She began her career with the Osceola School District in 1986, and was

named Superintendent in 2012. Mrs. Luciano is the first Latina superintendent in the Florida public school system.

As Superintendent, Mrs. Luciano provides leadership for the district and school administration, as well as facilitates continuous improvement, educational accountability, and community support through partnerships with stakeholders. She works collaboratively with students, parents, faculty and staff, administrators, community residents, and School Board Members to annually develop an annual strategic plan focused on the district's vision for student success.

In June 2014, the Florida Department of Education recognized the Osceola School District as one of only five Florida counties to improve in all seven assessment areas in reading, mathematics, and science.

Mrs. Luciano has a strong sense of leadership, an unrivaled sense of professionalism, and a passion for community involvement and collaboration. In March 2013, she was awarded the National Association for Bilingual Education's Citizen Award.

I am happy to recognize Melba Luciano, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for her passion for education and commitment to improving the Central Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Maribel Gomez-Cordero. Maribel was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She has been living in Orlando, Florida for the past eighteen years. She and her husband, Henry Cordero, have been married for 27 years and have three children, Marian, Henry, and Erik. Maribel is also an active member and leader of The Potter's House Assembly of God Church.

Maribel earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling specializing in Marriage and Family, from Webster University. Throughout her career as a Social Worker, she has worked for Children's Home Society of Florida, and as a Clinical Therapist for Life & Work Soulutions counseling clinic. Maribel has always dedicated herself to work for those who experience crisis, and provides support to individuals, families and groups within her community. In 2002, the Educational Foundation for the Advancement of Child Welfare honored her with the ``A Person That Makes A Difference'' Award from the Florida Coalition for Children of Central Florida.

Maribel is also the Vice President for WE Hispanic Women Chamber of Commerce and a Volunteer and Advisor for the Victim of Domestic Violence Program at Nuevo Sendero. Besides her career in social work, Maribel managed her husband and brother-in-law's photography, videos, and public relations company. She was also the editor of the newspaper OJO which dealt with news in the photography and art industry. Maribel currently manages her own private practice in which she is also a psychotherapist.

Maribel was a candidate for Orange County Commissioner for District 4 in the Primary Elections on August 26, 2014. She continues to follow her passion for working with families in the community.

I am happy to recognize Maribel Gomez-Cordero, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for her commitment to working with Central Florida's families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize Eduardo Bhatia. Mr. Bhatia is a Puerto Rican politician and Senator.

Bhatia obtained his Bachelor's degree in Government and Public Policy from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in 1986. In May 1986, Bhatia was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study law, economics and politics in Santiago, Chile for one year. He graduated from Stanford Law School in June 1990 where he founded and edited the ``Stanford Journal of Law and Policy'', an academic publication with an emphasis on the development of new laws and public policy. He is admitted to practice law in Florida, Washington D.C. and The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

After graduating, Bhatia worked for a year as a Judicial Officer for Judge Levin H. Campbell, at the United States Court of Appeals for

the First Circuit in Boston, Massachusetts. From 1991 to 1992, he was the Chief of Staff for the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, Jaime Fuster, in Washington, D.C. Bhatia is also the former Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration in Washington D.C. As the Executive Director, he officially represented the Governor of Puerto Rico on important issues affecting the Commonwealth.

Bhatia was elected as an official Senate candidate in the Popular Democratic Party (Partido Popular Democratico or PPD) primary on March 9, 2008. At the 2008 general elections, Bhatia won one of only five Senate seats obtained by his party.

At the 2012 primaries, Bhatia won the most votes, securing his spot for the general elections. He then won the most votes of all the PPD candidates to the Senate. After the win, Bhatia was elected by his colleagues as the fifteenth President of the Senate of Puerto Rico.

In 2013, Bhatia served as Co-Chair of the Eastern Regional Conference of the Council of State Governments (CSG-ERC). Later that year, he was elected as President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), becoming the first Senate President to hold the title. Bhatia is also a board member of several organizations, including the Council of State Governments (CSG) and the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO).

I am honored to recognize Senator Eduardo Bhatia, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his leadership and commitment to serving the Puerto Rican and Hispanic-American communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to recognize William J. Diaz. A native of Cumana, Venezuela, William was raised in Caracas. From a young age, William naturally cultivated

friendships and supported humanitarian causes. As a young leader, he was active in student council throughout his schooling. William was the recipient of a scholarship which allowed him to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his Master's Degree in Mass Communications in 1976.

William previously served as an Educational Attache to the Venezuelan Embassy in Paris, France and the General Coordinator of the G.M.A. Foundation. William was also the founder and president of several community organizations in Venezuela.

In 1989, William moved to Orlando, Florida, where he lives with his wife and four children. Since then, he has been very active within the Latino community, advising and counseling nonprofit organizations. An active community leader and incisive journalist, William has a passion to help his fellow citizens through life's struggles.

William has been an on-air personality for decades and a columnist with several publications. He is always available to individuals or community organizations in need of media support, especially those who seek support for social justice issues.

William's activism to promote Latin-American political development has won him recognition within the Latino community. He currently has a daily radio show, ``Cara a Cara con William Diaz,'' which reaches eighteen counties. He is also the founder of Casa de Venezuela and the Made in Venezuela Business Club.

I am honored to recognize William Diaz, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his contributions to the Central Florida community.