Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Apopka.

For the past century, the Rotary Club of Apopka has served as a cornerstone of service and leadership in Northwest Orange County. Through the dedication of its members, the Club has promoted personal growth, fostered professional relationships, supported local and international service projects, and invested in future generations through scholarships and youth programs. Throughout its history, the Club has exemplified Rotary's Four-Way Test and its guiding principle ``Service Above Self.''

On June 25, 2026, the centennial celebration will begin with the Rotary Club of Apopka Officer Installation Banquet. During the event, my friend and longtime public servant, Bryan Nelson, will be specially recognized for his eight years of service as Mayor of Apopka, from 2018 to 2026.

The Rotary Club of Apopka's 100-year commitment to serving others has strengthened the community and enriched countless lives. As the Club celebrates this remarkable milestone, it is my pleasure to honor its legacy of service, leadership, and civic engagement and to congratulate its members on a century of meaningful contributions to Apopka and our community.

Mr. Speaker, due to airline schedules, my flight was delayed. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 138, and YEA on Roll Call No. 139.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my friend, Mrs. Carol Grosshans, for her remarkable 45 years of service in education, including her exceptional devotion and leadership over the past decade at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden, Florida.

Carol's commitment to education is reflected in her extensive academic achievements, She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a specialty in Learning Disorders from Dickinson State in 1997. She completed coursework in Educational from Capella University in 2003, obtained a Master's degree in K-12 Studies in Education from Capella University in 2015, and most recently received a Certificate in Biblical Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2022.

Carol began her distinguished career in 1980 as a Behavior Disorders Teacher for grades K-8 at Lucy Wortham James Elementary School in St. James, Missouri. Over the years, she has served in numerous roles, including teacher, principal, Director of Mom's Morning Out, and literacy instructor for K-12 students. She also served as Vice President of Education for Junior Achievement from October 2014 to January 2016.

In January 2016, Carol joined Foundation academy as Vice President of Education and most recently served as Interim President. Her leadership has had a lasting impact on students, faculty, and the community.

Carol and her husband, Tim Grosshans, are active members of First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, where Tim faithfully served as pastor for nearly 17 years before his recent retirement. Together, they now look forward to enjoying this new season of life.

I join her family, friends, and the Foundation Academy community in celebrating her well-deserved retirement and in thanking her for a lifetime of faithful service to students and education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Lake County Superintendent Diane Kornegay for being named Florida's 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District Schools Superintendents.

The Florida Association of District School Superintendents has honored outstanding leadership in public education through this program since 1988. Ms. Kornegay's selection reflects her dedication to students, her commitment to excellence, and her significant contributions to education.

Ms. Kornegay has served as Lake County's superintendent since December 2016 and has more than 35 years of experience in public education. She is also active in state and local education organizations and has received numerous awards recognizing her leadership and service.

Under her leadership, Lake County Schools earned an A-rating from the Florida Department of Education in 2025 for the first time since 2008. The district has also seen strong improvements in graduation rates and overall academic performance. Additionally, accelerated programs such as AICE, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate, invested in new schools and campus improvements, and enhanced safety measures.

It it is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Kornegay for this remarkable achievement, and I thank her for her dedicated service to Lake County's students and families. I am honored to represent Lake County in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my friend, Earl Brigham, as he celebrates 50 years of dedicated service as a barber in Downtown Winter Garden

Earl lost his hearing at around two years of age. When he was ten, his parents enrolled him in the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine. There, he mastered American Sign Language, excelled in sports, and graduated in 1966. Following graduation, he was encouraged to learn a trade and immediately entered barber school, beginning a career that would span decades and impact generations.

For 50 years, Earl has faithfully served customers at his barber shop on Plant Street in Winter Garden. What started as a profession quickly became a ministry of connection. His shop is more than a place for haircuts, it is a place of laughter, friendship, and community.

Along the way, Earl built a beautiful family. He and his wife, Robin, raised seven children and are now proud grandparents of nineteen grandchildren. They raised their children to be bilingual, fluent in both English and American Sign Language, reflecting Earl's lifelong role as a bridge between the deaf and hearing worlds.

In addition to his work as a barber, Earl has faithfully served the Lord. For more than 35 years, he has served as a pastor to the deaf community, including the past 17 years at West Orlando Baptist Church. Through both his ministry and profession, he has strengthened families, encouraged faith, and brought people together.

I join his family, friends, the City of Winter Garden, and his many local customers in celebrating 50 years of faithful service. Earl's steadfast faith, joyful spirit, and commitment to others make him a true pillar of our community. I am grateful to call him my barber and even more grateful to call him my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize my friend, Reba Y. Mazak as the 2025 Woman of the Year in Agriculture for the State of Florida. Today, she was honored at the Florida State Fair--America's Sunniest Celebration--during the annual Woman of the Year in Agriculture Luncheon.

Since 1985, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in partnership with the Florida State Fair Authority, has recognized an outstanding Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Last March, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson bestowed this distinguished honor upon Reba Y. Mazak in recognition of her lifelong dedication to advancing Florida agriculture.

Reba is a fifth-generation Florida cattle producer with deep roots in agriculture. She was born into the Yarborough pioneer ranching family in Sanford, Florida, where she was raised with a deep respect for the land and livestock, learning the ranching lifestyle through hard work alongside her parents.

In 1985, she married her high school sweetheart and late husband, Paul Mazak. Based in Sumter County and starting with just seven acres and a mobile home, they built both a ranch and a family--raising two daughters, Rebecca and Audra--while transforming their modest beginnings into a thriving cattle operation spanning thousands of acres. Together, they built Mazak Ranch into a successful cattle operation with land in both Florida and Texas.

From attending Florida CowBelles events with her mother as a young girl, Reba has been a dedicated advocate for the beef industry from the very beginning. She has been active in Florida Cattle Women for more than 40 years and served as its President in 2004. She also served as President of the American National Cattle Women in 2022 during the organization's 70th anniversary. Reba has completed the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program and is Beef Quality Assurance certified.

Reba does not just represent a legacy of Florida ranching, she is actively shaping its future. She is deeply passionate about mentoring youth in agriculture and remains active in Farm Bureau leadership. Through her advocacy and hand-on mentorship, Reba has made a lasting impact on the next generation, including her four grandsons--Mayland, Myles, Waylon, and Warren--who are already learning the values of hard work, stewardship, and service that she lives every day.

Florida agriculture is stronger because of leaders like Reba. I am deeply grateful for her commitment, her example, and her lifelong service to our agricultural community. I congratulate Reba.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Winter Garden.

For the past 100 years, the Rotary Club of Winter Garden has stood as a pillar of leadership and service. Its business and professional members have generously volunteered their time and talents, faithfully upholding Rotary's Four-Way Test. Their commitment to these principles has strengthened the community and enriched countless lives.

Through community projects, scholarships, and youth initiatives, the Rotary Club of Winter Garden has demonstrated unwavering energy and passion for services. Its enduring support of West Orange County and communities beyond has made a lasting and positive impact on generations of residents.

I commend the Rotary Club of Winter Garden for a century of service above self and extend my congratulations on this remarkable milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, we are on the brink of a historic moment. This is a day I have worked toward for a long time. Throughout my time here, I have fought for legislative reforms that will restore a Member-driven process. This is the most Member-driven, principled process in Congress in my time here.

I ran for office pledging to restore fiscal responsibility and Congress is embracing it.

For years, I have urged my colleagues to reject the Washington presumption that nothing can be cut from the budget in order to fund priorities without increasing the deficit.

Mr. Speaker, by the end of this week, Congress will have passed 12 individual appropriation bills that both fund critical priorities while also reducing spending. This is a great moment.

Mr. Speaker, due to airline schedules, my flight was delayed. Had I been present, I would have voted present on Roll Call No. 1.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to extend warm congratulations to Sylvia Marie Thornton on the occasion of her 98th birthday. Sylvia was born in Bainbridge, Georgia, on November 29, 1927, and this momentous milestone will be joyfully celebrated with her family and friends in Umatilla, Florida, on December 6, 2025.

It is my pleasure to join her loved ones in honoring Sylvia's long and admirable life and in reflecting on the profound impact she has made on all who know her. For Decades, Sylvia has exemplified steadfast dedication to her family, her community, and her church.

In 1945, Sylvia married the love of her life, Charles Howard Thornton, and embraced her calling as a pastor's wife. Together, she and Charles raised six children. She served faithfully in teaching, serving, and leading the women of the church with grace and devotion. Guided by an unwavering faith, she made it her mission to instill Godly values in her children and to encourage them to accept Christ at an early age. Her legacy continues through her son who now pastors his own church, carrying on the important work begun by his father. Today, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren honor and love her deeply as she remains faithful to God.

I congratulate Sylvia on reaching this remarkable milestone. May God continue to pour out His abundant blessings upon her and her family. It is my honor to serve her in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize and celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Leesburg Fire Department in the city of Leesburg, Florida.

Since its founding in 1875, the Leesburg Fire Department has been a steadfast symbol of courage, dedication, and selfess public service. For a century and a half, the department has served the people of Leesburg with the same commitment and bravery that defined its earliest days.

As we commemorate this remarkable milestone, we not only honor the department's rich history, but also pay tribute to the men and women, past and present, who have answered the call to protect life and property in times of need.

Congratulations to the Leesburg Fire Department on 150 years of outstanding service. I am proud to join the community in expressing our deepest gratitude and appreciation for their enduring contributions to the safety and well-being of Leesburg.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

Founded by William John Howey and incorporated on May 8, 1925, as the Town of Howey, this vibrant community officially became known as Howey- in-the-Hills in 1927. The name pays homage to the picturesque topography of the regions, which Mr. Howey fondly referred to as ``The Florida Alps.''

Mr. Howey was an entrepreneur who dreamed of creating a citrus empire with the town serving as its commercial and shipping hub. He constructed Florida's first citrus juice plant in 1921 and introduced the ``Lifeguard'' brand of canned citrus juice, revolutionizing the industry. The historic Floridian Hotel, built to accommodate buyers of his citrus acreage, and the elegant Howey Mansion on the north end of town are enduring symbols of his legacy.

As the town grew, so too did its reputation as a destination for recreation and hospitality. The adjacent Floridian Country Club and golf course capitalized on the growing popularity of the sport and were later revitalized by the Beucher family, who transformed the property into the acclaimed Mission Resort & Club. In 2022, the Beucher family passed the torch to MMI Hospitality Group, ensuring the resort's continued excellence.

Another key figure in the town's development was C.V. Griffin, Sr., who, in the 1950s, promoted ``Land Cruises'' to draw attention to the town's beauty and opportunity. He donated land for the town hall, established Griffin Airways, and was instrumental in the construction of the State Road 19 bridge over Lake Harris, linking communities and encouraging economic growth.

Today, with a population exceeding 2,000, Howey-in-the-Hills is a thriving, family-oriented resort town. The beautifully restored Howey Mansion hosts custom-designed events, while the town's 1920s mission- style architecture and the Community Church, built in 1949, add cultural depth to this charming municipality.

Whether it is a leisurely stroll through Blevins Patriot Park, boating on Lake Harris, enjoying the spa, or a round of golf, Howey-in- the-Hills remains a beautiful and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.

I am honored to join the community in commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the town of Howey-in-the-Hills, and in celebrating its proud heritage, vibrant present, and promising future.

Happy Centennial, Howey-in-the-Hills.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct privilege to recognize Lake County Schools in Lake County, Florida, for their outstanding achievement in earning an ``A'' rating from the Florida Department of Education for the 2024-2025 school year.

Lake County Schools currently operates 49 schools, serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, with approximately 48,285 students and 2,696 teachers. This marks the first time since 2008 that the Lake County School District has earned this prestigious distinction, reflecting the district's unwavering commitment to academic excellence, student achievement, and community support.

Under the leadership of Superintendent Diane Kornegay and the dedicated members of the Lake County School Board, the district earned this ``A'' rating by achieving a high percentage of points based on student performance across a wide range of academic indicators. These include standardized assessments in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, as well as learning gains in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Among the most notable improvements were a 15 percent increase in Algebra 1 proficiency, a 7 percent increase in English Language Arts for grades 9 and 10, a 4 percent overall increase in English Language Arts scores, and a 4 percent improvement in Civics end-of-course exam performance. Additionally, the district proudly reports a high school graduation rate of 93 percent, a significant achievement that speaks volumes about the commitment of the students, educators, and families of Lake County.

I am pleased to join our community in congratulating the teachers, administrators, support staff, and especially the students of Lake County Schools for their hard work, diligence, and determination in making this achievement possible. I thank them for their continued pursuit of educational excellence.

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to support H.R. 4275 to ensure that the Coast Guard has the authorities and resources needed to meet the vital missions that they have.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides the Coast Guard a much-needed and historic downpayment of $24 billion for new operational assets and systems.

This bill is still needed to support the important work of the Coast Guard, which does protect our waters through drug interdiction, stops human trafficking, and promotes maritime safety.

It also establishes a Secretary of the Coast Guard, an important step in the right direction to ensure that the Coast Guard men and women remain a priority for many administrations to come.

The other armed services have this position, and they also do much better and they have a better track record in getting the assets necessary to carry out their missions.

I am thrilled that President Trump and Secretary Noem have focused on the Coast Guard, and I am hopeful that this year the Senate also will move to pass this important legislation.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the City of Polk City, Florida.

Polk City, known locally as the Gateway to the Green Swamp, is in the northern part of Polk County, Florida. The city officially received its charter on April 3, 1925, thus marking the beginning of its formal governance and development.

Polk City was first settled in 1922 when Mr. Isaac Van Horn was traveling through Polk County and believed oil fields waited to be exploited. Mr. Van Horn was responsible for naming the town after President James K. Polk and increasing the population with new construction of oil rigs.

Today, Polk City is home to approximately 2,000 residents and remains a vibrant small town with a strong sense community and rural charm. It is known for the General James. A. Van Fleet Trail and beautiful lakes. As we commemorate this centennial milestone, we honor the generations who have shaped Polk City's legacy as a city built on resilience, agriculture, and a deep sense of community.

Happy Centennial, Polk City.