Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and extend my congratulations to Lambda Theta Phi on their 2022 National Convention, and I commend them on their decision to host this year's convention in the city of Tampa, which is just across the Bay from my home district of Pinellas County in the great state of Florida.

Since its founding in 1975, Lambda Theta Phi has undertaken many laudable initiatives, such as fundraising for victims of natural disasters and helping those struggling with homelessness get back on their feet. In doing so, they have demonstrated their enduring commitment to the lofty ideals laid out by the Fraternal Fathers, Dr. Cayetano Socarras and Dr. Jose Quiles, including academic excellence, service, leadership, and Latino unity.

As a lifelong Florida resident, former Governor, and proud Representative of Florida's 13th Congressional District, I have seen the power of these ideals in action. From their close partnership with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, to the dozens of Lambda Theta Phi brothers in Washington, Tallahassee, and across Florida working tirelessly for a better future, Lambda Theta Phi brothers truly represent the best of our communities.

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate this historic organization on their continued national engagement through this convention, and extend my best wishes to them in all their future endeavors. Finally, I echo the chant that has united Latino brothers in fraternity and a shared mission for almost 50 years--Lambda Theta Phi, Lambda 'till the day we die.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County.

For 75 years, this organization has dedicated itself to the betterment of Pinellas County's future, which lies in the hands of our community's children.

The Juvenile Welfare Board works with our county's children from an early age to ensure that both they, and their parents, caregivers, and family members receive a solid foundation on which to build their education. The Board's School Readiness program prepares children for their critical kindergarten education, which is crucial for their future success in the classroom. The JWB supports our county's youth throughout their education, with the programs they fund driving them to meet not only important developmental milestones but promoting behaviors and attitudes necessary for learning and engagement.

Beyond the classroom, the JWB works tirelessly to strengthen the communities from which our future leaders grow. Focusing on the mental health of our children is one of the Board's primary goals, making sure any type of mental illness is diagnosed and treated before it becomes an impediment for their future success. They also work to stop preventable deaths within the county, combating unsafe sleep practices for infants, child drowning, and head trauma, so that no family must deal with the tremendous loss of a child.

The JWB's mission also includes providing relief for the families of Pinellas County when they need it. From rental and food assistance, eviction prevention services, and helping with affordable childcare, the JWB ensures that any family that needs a helping hand is given one.

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County is a powerful example of the power we can have on our communities if we simply dare to try. Their efforts deserve veneration in this Congress, not only in appreciation of their efforts, but as an example of the power of community.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to congratulate the students, teachers, and alumni of my home district's own Pinellas Park High School for winning the 2021 Congressional App Challenge for Florida's 13th Congressional District. This will be Pinellas Park High School's third winning submission to the Congressional App Challenge in only five years--the most for any school in Florida's 13th District.

Since our first Congressional App Challenge in 2017, the students of the Pinellas Park High School STEM Club have submitted highly original and technically sophisticated apps addressing the needs of the culturally-diverse communities I'm honored to represent. Helmed by their dedicated STEM teacher, Lafrance ``Joe'' Clark, this club has proven time and again the power of hands-on STEM instruction, collaboration, and teamwork.

Over the past five years, the winning teams of Pinellas Park High School have created apps that address a host of issues facing our community. From large challenges like those confronting Pinellas Veterans transitioning to civilian life, to smaller but still important ones like the lack of accessible information on teen skincare, these students have used technology to tackle the tough problems they see in the world around them. This year's winning submission, Healthy Minds, is no exception--providing a platform for teens experiencing mental health challenges to access health providers, resources, and expert information.

As the Representative for Florida's 13th Congressional District, I want to congratulate our 2021 Congressional App Challenge winners-- Trudy Kwok, Jenna Nguyen, Gabriel Moreno, and Rashonda Fayson. Under the leadership of the excellent Mr. Joe Clark, they are doing their STEM club, school, and community proud.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the passing of Winter the Dolphin, in celebration of her extraordinary life, and in honor of her home and family at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in my district.

After being rescued from a crab trap in December 2005, two-month-old Winter lost her tail and had to adapt to life without it.

But Winter didn't just survive. She thrived. And with a new prosthetic tail, her resilience inspired millions around the world-- including many wounded and disabled veterans.

Winter's story became the inspiration for the movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. And over her life, Winter provided hope to all who met her, and brought awareness to the plight of marine mammals.

Winter's legacy is one of perseverance, courage, and environmental stewardship.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Deutch for yielding.

In recent years, the living conditions for the Cuban people have deteriorated rapidly. Shortages of basic goods like food, medicine, even hygienic products like diapers, have become the norm. Socialism and communism have truly failed. The economy has collapsed and in order to maintain power, leaders have only tightened their stranglehold on the people.

The Cuban people have responded. This past summer we witnessed history. Cubans from all walks of life peacefully took to the streets demanding reform and freedom. They were met with violence. Since then, demonstrators have been rounded up, and show trials, arbitrary detentions, and crackdowns on thought and speech have followed. Activists are still missing and have not been seen for months. Our hearts are with the Cuban exile community, nearly 1.6 million in Florida alone, including many second- and third-generation Floridians.

They call America home because they cannot call Cuba home due to the violent, Communist dictatorship. This resolution is an important statement by the people's House that we will not stand by while Cubans suffer and die. And we will lead the international community in holding the Communist regime accountable. Please vote ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the gentlewoman from California for her leadership.

Access to safe and legal abortion is about trust--trust in those seeking reproductive care, trust that they will know what is best for their bodies and their families, and trust in them to make a choice that only they can make about their own future.

What we are seeing in Texas and in the Supreme Court is what happens when government wants to make the choice for you, and I am hearing from Floridians who are terrified that the Governor of Florida wants to bring Texas-style tyranny to the Sunshine State.

Not on our watch. Vote ``yes'' on the Women's Health Protection Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Cuban people in their fight for freedom under the Communist dictatorship. Over the past few years, the situation on the island has rapidly deteriorated with limited access to essentials like food, medicine, clean water, and electricity.

When the people rose up in record numbers to oppose the regime, they were attacked, brutalized, and, in some cases, disappeared.

We stand with the Cuban people and support their mission. That is why I am encouraging the President to provide direct aid like food, medicine, diapers, internet, and vaccines directly to the Cuban people and to stop arms shipments from Venezuela and Russia that are being used against the Cuban people.

Lead the free world in support of the demonstrators. We expect democratic nations to stands for democracy.

My prayers are with all the Cubans, including those in my home State of Florida, whose loved ones are on the island.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding contributions of Robert J. ``Bob'' Fine, Jr., Headmaster of Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Mr. Fine is retiring from Admiral Farragut Academy after more than 30 years of service as an educator, administrator, coach, and leader in our local community. He first joined the school as a math teacher in 1989 and has served as Headmaster for more than two decades, beginning in 1998.

Mr. Fine is admired and beloved by hundreds of Farragut families and leaves an extraordinary legacy in the K-12 school's history. Under his exceptional leadership, the unique naval preparatory mission of Admiral Farragut Academy has endured since 1933, inspiring

young leaders in military and civilian service. Under his tenure, the school also became co-educational and expanded to create a lower school for young children.

Mr. Fine is a pillar in the 13th Congressional District of Florida, having served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees (where he served as Vice Chairman and Chairman), St. Petersburg College Foundation Board of Directors, Bayfront Medical Center Board of Directors, Florida Council of Independent Schools, Florida High School Athletic Association, and the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize the exemplary accomplishments in education and community service by Mr. Bob Fine before the U.S. House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment, based on the bipartisan Documents for Continued Safety Act that I introduced with Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico.

This amendment would allow STOP grants from the Department of Justice to be used to replace vital documents for survivors of domestic violence, free of cost. Some survivors grab all they can when they flee, leaving vital documents behind. Other didn't have access to their vital docs.

Rebuilding can be tough, but our amendment will help survivors turn the page and write a new chapter, on their terms, safe and free.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act.

I also rise for my constituent, Mohammed Haitham. Mo was a young sailor who followed his mother's footsteps into the Navy, with the dream of becoming a pilot.

When a Saudi terrorist started shooting, Mo sacrificed himself to protect others. That is who he was.

Service, selflessness, sacrifice, Mo represented the very best in all of us. The great State of Florida is proud of him and proud to call him one of our own.

The attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola killed three young sailors and wounded eight more.

The terrorist bought the gun legally, using a hunting license to get it. Al-Qaida and ISIS know about this loophole, and until we close it, the American people will remain vulnerable.

That is why my bipartisan bill to close the Pensacola loophole has the support of the Brady Campaign, the Giffords, Major County Sheriffs, and the Fraternal Order of Police.

I look forward to working with the chairman and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this bill.

Mr. Speaker, due to an unforeseen recorded vote, I was unable to leave a previously scheduled engagement. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 56.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise to address an amendment that I have placed in the bill, and I want to thank the chairman for his grace in allowing that. It talks about addressing racial and ethnic impacts of legislation that we pass here.

America is known for the words at the United States Supreme Court: ``Equal justice under the law.'' Equal justice.

We struggle in our country with equality. Why? The color of somebody's skin? Their ethnic background? Who they might love?

I think it is important to recognize that above me are the words: ``E pluribus unum,'' ``Out of many, one.''

We are all children of God. If we so choose, we can bring people together. We can start right here, and we can begin right now. We need to remember the words kindness, respect, decency, compassion, empathy. In other words, embrace the golden rule.

I wear these yellow wrist bands on my hands every day, and they say: Practice the golden rule every day. Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

That is what I am attempting in this amendment. God bless.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Interfaith Tampa Bay on their fifth annual Interfaith Pride Worship Service in St. Petersburg, Florida. I am honored to represent such an inclusive and diverse district. This worship service demonstrates that an attitude of not just tolerance, but acceptance, is shared by our faith leaders of all beliefs and backgrounds.

Interfaith Tampa Bay is an organization uniting faith leaders and believers of different religious backgrounds, coming together in prayer, service, and mutual support. The Pride Worship Service, taking place within the city-wide celebration of St. Pete Pride, gives LGBTQ members of the faith community an opportunity to worship and celebrate God's love surrounded by those who accept and support them. The Pride Worship Service invites all in attendance to worship at the altar of compassion, kindness, and understanding.

Hosted by King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Pride Worship Service features leaders of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist faiths. This service is proceeded by a Pride March through the streets of the city to the steps of the church, demonstrating the interconnectivity between faith, pride, and self-love. It is a message to all that one need not choose between their faith and their identity, and that it is only when we are able to truly love ourselves that we are able to love God.

Through the Pride Worship Service and other community gatherings, Interfaith Tampa Bay is fostering a sense of community between the faith communities in our region, and reestablishing the church, mosque, synagogue, and other houses of worship as places of love and enlightenment for all. Recently, the organization hosted the Tampa Bay Iftar Dinner to celebrate the Muslim observance of Ramadan and recognize the achievements of Tampa Bay's Muslim community. In light of recent incidences of violence within these sacred spaces, the role of Interfaith Tampa Bay and similar institutions is incredibly important in the fight against intolerance and hate.

On behalf of my Tampa Bay neighbors, I want to recognize Interfaith Tampa Bay, King of Peace MCC, Allendale UMC, Congregation B'Nai Israel, and all participating faith organizations for their support of the LGBTQ community.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens) for her incredible leadership on an issue we should all be able to agree upon: protecting all of God's creatures, great and small.

When Congress creates laws, we intend for them to be enforced. That is pretty simple. The Stevens amendment would help the Department of Justice do exactly that.

This issue is bigger than senseless animal abuse. There is an established link between animal fighting and abuse and drug trafficking and gang activity. This means that laws protecting animals also protect our communities.

This amendment is common sense, and I urge support.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague from Florida, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, for her leadership on this important issue and for working with me and the Florida delegation to include banning drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico in this amendment.

I represent most of Pinellas County, Florida, on the Gulf Coast. My district is surrounded by water on three sides. It is virtually a peninsula. As you can imagine, this issue is deeply important to me, my constituents, and all Floridians.

I was Governor of Florida when the Deepwater Horizon exploded in 2010. I saw the tar balls wash up along Florida beaches. I saw the harm done to Florida's economy and our way of life. I have seen firsthand the consequences of offshore oil drilling. I hope to never see it again.

We must protect the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the environmental, economic, and national security benefits it provides to the region and to the United States of America. I could not be more proud that the Florida delegation stands united to do exactly that.

I urge passage of this amendment and the underlying legislation.

Madam Speaker, due to a flight cancellation, I was not present on Monday, June 10 for votes. Had I been present, I would

have voted: ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 242; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 243; and ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 244.