Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Samuel Vilchez Santiago, originally from Venezuela, came to the United States at an early age, escaping political persecution from Venezuela's authoritarian regime. He is a non-profit leader and advocate who has dedicated his professional career to fighting to protect the rights of Floridians.

Samuel has served as the Florida state director for the American Business Immigration Coalition, the human and civil rights non-profit manager at ActBlue, and the Florida campaign manager at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, among others. He is also a board member at Alianza Center, the HOPE Community Center, and the Venezuelan American Caucus. He also served as a member of the Orange County Charter Review Commission in 2020, becoming the youngest member of a county board in Orange County history. Through these roles, Samuel has helped to effectively design and implement policies that have improved the quality of life of those around him, including protecting in-state tuition access for Dreamers in Florida, the designation and re- designation of TPS for 800,000 Venezuelans, the creation of the humanitarian parole program, and the critical environmental protections to clean water and the Split Oak forest.

Samuel has also worked to advance Democratic values and candidates at the local, state, and federal levels. He currently serves as the chair of the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee and is a member of the Democratic National Committee, making him the first Gen-Z person to hold both of these leadership roles. In 2018, he led a successful youth-run campaign to elect Johanna Lopez to the Orange County School Board, making her the first Latina member of the Board.

Samuel graduated as valedictorian from Colonial High School in 2015 and obtained a bachelor's degree from Princeton University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford. He is a recipient of former President Barack Obama's Volunteer Service Award, the Congressional Youth Award, and the Eisenhower Fellowship.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Marcela Restrepo has been a professional in the construction industry for more than 24 years. She is the co-owner of SkyBuilders USA, general contractors, and co-founder of the nonprofit SkyBuilders 4 ALL.

Marcela has served on several boards through Orange County. She is the vice president of Casa de Mexico, a member of the Women Business Advisory Board in Seminole College, a former member of the BOD Neighborhood Grants Advisory Board in Orange County, and a former member of the BOD Community Development Advisory Board in Orange County.

Marcela advocates for minority-owned businesses. She vigorously promotes to get certification through seminars that she is invited to or through her foundation. Her company was awarded the Don Quijote award in 2022 by HCCMO. She was also recognized as Mujer de Impacto 2023 by Mujer Emprende Latina.

Marcela loves her community. With SkyBuilders 4 ALL, she created a food pantry in one of Orlando's local schools and they provided food during the pandemic to families that were struggling. Her foundation also provides financial education to young kids and promotes reading.

Marcela also helps the community through space that the Mexican Consulate provides, with financial education for the Hispanic community six days a week at no cost. That program counts on about 20 allies, including banks, financial institutions, accountants, and realtors all working as volunteers.

Additionally, housing is a priority. With her foundation, she has been able to help people in the community improve their way of living. Giving back to the community is a must in her life because she wants to leave her children, Manuela, Pablo, David, and Ximena, and her grandson Valentino, a legacy of pride in their roots. She will continue serving as long as God lets her.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Lizzette Marrero was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, where her passion for education was deeply influenced by her parents' dedication to teaching as well as her maternal grandmother. She graduated from la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Rio Piedras, with a bachelor's degree in secondary education, majoring in Spanish. In 1987, she became a Spanish teacher at a local Catholic school while pursuing a master's degree in curriculum and teaching, specializing in Hispanic studies.

Upon graduation, Marrero welcomed her first child, prompting a challenging decision to relocate with her family to Central Florida. Carrying her dreams, faith, and a profound sadness for leaving her homeland in a suitcase, she embraced this new chapter alongside her soulmate, Marcos Barreiro. As her family expanded with the addition of two more children, she adapted to a new culture, language, and community where Christmas lasted only two weeks.

In 1997, Marrero joined the Osceola County School District as a substitute teacher and was soon hired as a fifth-grade teacher at Boggy Creek Elementary School. The following year, she was appointed as a Spanish teacher, dedicating her professional life to her passion: the Spanish language, Hispanic literature, and Hispanic culture.

Marrero was among the original educators who established the Osceola County School for the Arts in 2003. Over the past 20 years at OCSA, she has excelled in nurturing a deep love for learning and culture in her students, both inside and outside the classroom.

Collaborating with her exceptional students, Marrero created and directed a vibrant Hispanic Heritage Festival that has captivated audiences for seventeen years at the Osceola Performing Arts Center. She also served on the Affirmative Action Committee in Osceola County, where she contributed to funding scholarships for graduate programs for fellow teachers in the county. Furthermore, she initiated and sponsored the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica: Capitulo Jorge Ramos and has guided students to compete at the Florida State Spanish Conference since 2007, achieving numerous awards.

Marrero's dedication to teaching AP Spanish Language and Culture has recently led her to become an AP Reader and Table Leader for the College Board. She firmly believes that setting high expectations paves the way to success and that it is an honor to be a Spanish teacher for so many wonderful humans.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Carolina Wassmer is a civic engagement specialist with over a decade of experience. Born and raised in Orlando, Carolina is the daughter of two immigrants who taught her the importance of education and hard work. Carolina received her master's degree in business administration from Herzing University and her bachelor's degree in political science with a focus on international relations from the University of Central Florida. She also has an associate degree from Valencia College. She has dedicated her career to serving Central Florida.

Carolina currently serves as the Florida state program director for Poder Latinx. Her diligent work is seen across Florida's Ninth Congressional District as well as throughout the state of Florida through her leadership on civic engagement and advocacy efforts around economic, environmental, and immigrant justice in the Latinx community. She previously served as a civic engagement specialist at UnidosUS, running Florida's largest Hispanic voter registration program in 2020. In 2018, she organized political efforts in Florida's Seventh Congressional District. In 2016, Carolina worked as a civic engagement coordinator with the Hispanic Federation, where she developed and implemented their first Central Florida-based voter registration program.

Carolina has dedicated her career to increasing Latinx participation in the American political process by expanding the electorate and empowering Latinos. Her passion is focused on developing and maintaining strong relationships with allies, stakeholders, and policymakers at both grassroots and grasstops levels. Carolina sees herself building the next generation of Latinx leaders to continue spreading the message of the importance of turning out on Election Day and showing up for the community every day.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Carlos Acuna, a Colombian by birth, is a seasoned attorney with 15 years of legal experience who has made a significant impact on the Hispanic community in Orlando, Florida. As the founder and director of Acuna-Araujo

Law, he has been an unwavering source of support for his community.

A decade ago. Carlos chose Orlando as his home and established Acuna- Araujo Law, with a clear mission: to assist the Colombian and Hispanic communities. His firm has become a beacon of hope, enabling community members to address legal matters in Colombia without the need for travel. His passionate commitment to defending the rights and well- being of his clients has earned him their trust.

Carlos Acuna also serves as the president of the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce in Orlando. Under his leadership, the organization has worked tirelessly to strengthen trade and cultural ties between Colombia and the United States in the region. He has promoted business collaboration and economic growth, benefiting Colombian and American entrepreneurs alike.

In addition to his achievements in the legal and business fields, Carlos has dedicated himself to serving the Hispanic community in Orlando during his 10-year tenure in the city. He has offered free legal advice to those facing challenges, demonstrating his commitment to social justice and support for those in need.

His passion for the community and dedication to justice have made him an exemplary community leader. Carlos not only works within the Chamber of Commerce but also actively engages in activities that promote Colombian and Hispanic culture in Orlando, proudly sharing the richness of his heritage.

In summary, Carlos Acuna is a Colombian attorney with an outstanding legal career and a deep commitment to the Hispanic community in Orlando, Florida. His leadership in the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce, his passion for justice, and his solidarity with the community make him a role model and tireless advocate for the rights and well-being of those around him. His legacy will endure as a beacon of hope and support in Central Florida.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Yimelda A. Goshea Martinez was born in the Dominican Republic. She immigrated to the United States in 1992 and has lived in Central Florida for the past 24 years. Her life has been defined by a deep commitment to community service, faith, and education and she has dedicated herself to making a positive impact on her community. As a founding member of the Osceola Latin Lions Club, she has played a pivotal role in organizing numerous charitable events, from fundraising for vision care programs to volunteering at local food drives.

Her devotion to her faith is equally inspiring. For several years, she has been an active volunteer at Holy Cross Catholic Church, leading children's ministry and dedicating her time and energy to various programs and community initiatives. This includes volunteer work in the local school district helping new Spanish-speaking migrant children acclimate to the United States.

One of Yimelda's most notable achievements is her involvement with ``Help Now'' in Kissimmee. Florida. As a volunteer, she has helped advance the nonprofit's mission to assist individuals and families facing adversity by providing essential resources including food, clothing, and shelter, and ensuring that people receive the assistance they desperately need.

In addition to her community involvement, Yimelda graduated from Ana G. Mendez University in June of 2023, where she pursued a degree in social work. Her education has equipped her with the knowledge and skills needed to make an even greater impact on her community.

Whether it's helping to organize youth events, providing support to elderly members, or organizing supply drives to send back to needy families in the Dominican Republic, Yimelda's faith-driven service has touched the lives of many Central Floridians. Her life story is a testament to the power of compassion, dedication, and education. Her work with the Lions Club, her service to her church, and her contributions to ``Help Now'' demonstrate her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others.

Yimelda has been a real estate agent for 25 years and now does clinical social work. She lives in Central Florida with her beloved husband and three cherished children.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Victor Jose Sanchez was born on July 24, 1974, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moved to Florida in 2002. Victor has been married to his wife, Elizabeth, for 21 years and has an 18-year-old daughter named Nicole. Victor has also worked for the United States Postal Service for 21 years. He is a member of the American Postal Worker Union and a steward, assistant clerk craft director, and Florida District 5 business agent.

In 2009, Victor organized and opened the Central Florida Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Chapter along with others. Victor has been the president of the LCLAA since 2009. LCLAA was formed by a group of Latino/a trade unionists in 1973 and has become the leading advocacy group for Latino/a working rights in the country. LCLAA was born out of the need to educate, organize, and mobilize Latino/as in the labor movement, and has expanded its influence to organize Latino/as to impact workers' rights and the political process.

Victor engages in voter education and registrations, get-out-the-vote campaigns, immigration, Latina equal pay efforts, environmental justice, labor rights, civic engagement, and civil rights. No matter the distance, he joins other unions, non-profit organizations, and union members in the fight for representation against large companies that exploit workers. Victor is committed to working with all independent sisters and brothers, trade unions, and others in Central Florida to improve the conditions of Latino workers and their families.

As the president and delegate of the LCLAA, he worked relentlessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure Latino/a families received the protections and support they needed. Victor continues fighting for the rights of undocumented immigrants who are vital to our economic recovery and live in fear due to the outdated and inhumane immigration system.

Victor continually mobilizes members and community partners to advocate for social and economic justice, and he strives daily to defeat oppression and assist in making communities better for all people regardless of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or ethnic or national origin.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Yaritza Perel graduated from Gateway High School in Kissimmee in May of 1999. In September of that year, she arrived on the world-famous yellow footprints of the Marine Corps recruit depot in Parris Island, South Carolina, graduating in December. After graduation, she was assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia for MOS training as a bulk fuel specialist. Upon graduation, she was sent to her first duty station at Camp Pendleton, California, and assigned to the First Marine Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force, Seventh Engineer Support Battalion, Bulk Fuel Company.

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, the Marine Corps shifted gears and began preparing for deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As part of the initial invasion, Bulk Fuel Company was attached to the Sixth Engineers Support Battalion. Six days into the war, Bulk Fuel Company completed the 57-mile hose reel tactical fuel system, capable of pumping fuel from the Kuwait-Iraq border to Logistics Support Area Viper. Setting up these fuel lines was crucial to providing all forward-moving units the capabilities to complete their mission and reach their targets. These efforts earned Yaritza's unit a Presidential Unit Citation.

On her second enlistment, Yaritza was assigned to COMUSMARCENT at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, where she served in an administrative role working in the G-1 and G-3 overseeing manpower operations and casualty accountability for all forward operating commands. Upon completing those orders, she was sent back to the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, H&HS Squadron serving as Flight Line NCO conducting flight operations and fuel testing for all base operations.

Yaritza separated from the Marine Corps in 2013 and moved back to Orlando to be close to family. Since her return, Yaritza has been an active member of the community, learning to repurpose her service to the great state of Florida. Yaritza served as a platoon leader with The Mission Continues for over three years and completed over 50 community service projects in the Central Florida area. After Hurricane Maria, she went with The Mission Continues to Puerto Rico to help restore the El Morro National Monument. During her time volunteering, she found Moms Clean Air Force, a national nonprofit organization focused on cleaning the contaminated air across the state. As the state organizer for Florida, she has met with congressional leaders, legislators, and community leaders to make and change laws and regulations to ensure a cleaner healthier environment for future generations. As an environmental advocate, she was the voice for the voiceless and spoke on behalf of Floridians.

Currently, she works as an outreach specialist with the Wounded Warrior Project. In this role, she engages with veterans and their families to bring them out of the house and get them engaged with each other, our communities, and other resources that could aid them in their healing journey. Yaritza is responsible for empowering and inspiring post-9/11 veterans in Florida to re-establish themselves as positive contributors to their communities. She is also a proud mom.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Iris Bathsheba Rueda Martinez, a Mexican attorney, graduated from Universidad del Tepeyac, Mexico City, stands as a prominent figure within the Central Florida Hispanic community. Her illustrious career spans a remarkable 17-year tenure of service at the Consulates of Mexico in Orlando, Florida, and Fresno, California. Iris has dedicated her life to providing unwavering support and making a profound impact on the lives of her fellow Mexican compatriots living abroad while working closely with community organizations, legal experts, and government officials to address the unique needs of Mexican nationals living in the United States.

Born in the vibrant heart of Mexico City, Iris has ardently maintained a deep connection to her Hispanic cultural heritage throughout her life journey. Her commitment to the promotion and celebration of Hispanic heritage resonates in every facet of her existence, with deep gratitude for the guiding influence of her faith in God. Throughout her distinguished consular career, Iris played a determinate and indispensable role in delivering humanitarian, community, and legal assistance to Mexican citizens residing in Florida and California. She participated in projects that led to the protection of human rights of hundreds of Mexican countrymen believing always in the success of mutual international relations based on the power of diplomacy.

Beyond her consular duties and advocacy work, Iris takes immense pride in her roles as a devoted wife and mother to a cherished daughter. The bedrock of family values holds central importance in her life, with her family in Mexico serving as an unwavering pillar of support. One of Iris's deepest aspirations is to instill in her daughter an enduring love for her Mexican heritage and a profound sense of pride in her American birthright.

Currently, Iris lends her expertise and dedication to a distinguished international consultancy firm Lord and Lord Consulting, led by accomplished women. She plays a key role in the management of the relations between LATAM, the USA, and the communication with the U.S. federal government.

The selection of Iris as an honoree during Hispanic Heritage Month is a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and contribution to the promotion of the Hispanic community in the United States.

Mr. Chair, I want to commend the managers of the House Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations bill for including my amendment No. 122 in En Bloc 3, to provide a $5 million increase within the Air Force RDT&E account, to the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) trusted microchip manufacturing prototype program in the en bloc package.

Microelectronics support nearly all DoD activities, enabling capabilities such as the global positioning system, radar, command and control, and communication. Ensuring secure access to leading-edge microelectronics, however, is a challenge. The pandemic exposed the challenges associated with the global supply chain, the changing global semiconductor industry, and the sophistication of U.S. adversaries. who might target military electronic components.

The AFRL is working on a new modelling and simulation research program to advance next generation semiconductor design and manufacturing, called a secure digital twin. Funding for the zero-trust environment for semiconductor technology will help provide the capabilities to deliver solutions to protect against malicious function insertion, fraudulent products, theft of intellectual property, and reliability failures within DoD semiconductors.

I believe Congress should continue to provide the resources necessary to update our domestic microelectronics security framework. I am proud of the work being undertaken in

my district's semiconductor technology district, known as NeoCity, to support domestic semiconductor manufacturing technology development as we work to address this critical supply chain. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to support this goal.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland for this great opportunity.

Last Congress was the most productive in over 50 years. With the leadership of President Biden and Democrats in the House and Senate, and with the help of some moderate Republicans, we were able to pass landmark legislation, the core of which in our economic agenda was the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which had a bipartisan vote; the CHIPS Act, also a bipartisan vote; and the Inflation Reduction Act.

I am honored to serve on the Regional Leadership Council as we talk about investing in America. This is about progress, and I am honored to represent on that council both my home State of Florida and Georgia.

In Florida, we are slated for up to $50 billion in infrastructure improvements. It means roads and bridges in places like I-4 in central Florida, which has been mired in traffic for years because of our great growth. It means a new airport tower in Tampa that Representative Castro worked on for their growing city. Across the State, we literally quadrupled the budget for ports in Florida because of these efforts.

I got to visit Cape Canaveral and see the work they are doing there in the top cruise line destination port in the world, the expansions there.

In south Florida, water projects to help with clean water as well as ports have also been huge, and we see these types of expansions at our airports, like Orlando International Airport with a new Terminal C and expansions there.

We have seen hundreds of thousands of jobs created in Florida because of these infrastructure projects. We are seeing local ironworkers, electrical workers, and local operating engineers working on these major projects as central Floridians are gathering together as well as Floridians from across the State.

A surprising fact: Florida had more lead pipes than any other State. That was a big surprise. Now, we have funding coming in to help out everything from schoolkids to seniors who live in mobile home developments.

We are also seeing a huge amount of work around the Inflation Reduction Act. Georgia is cleaning up right now in making electric vehicles, electric batteries, and even recycling EV batteries, with both Hyundai and Rivian joining in those areas.

In fact, when we were in our Energy and Commerce Committee, we had gentlemen from Georgia who had to change their tune on the very bill attacking EVs that was being discussed

because there are so many jobs coming into Georgia to help out.

Of course, the Chips and Science Act coupled with these other bills are doubling the amount of manufacturing, construction, and investment in our Nation. We are the envy of the world right now in the manufacturing that we have going on.

In our own State, we focus on aerospace chips, chips to help out with satellites and rockets and with the harsh conditions of space and aerospace. In central Florida, we were just named a finalist for the biggest CHIPS Act project in the State. We are going to continue to work with them and also with Green Garden Village, the biggest Inflation Reduction Act project making EV batteries.

I thank the gentleman, my leader--he always will be my leader--Steny Hoyer, for bringing us together to talk about progress, to talk about jobs, to talk about manufacturing and clean energy as we continue to invest in America and move our Nation forward.

Mr. Speaker, Chief Jeffrey M. O'Dell was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and is a second-generation police officer. He served with the Orlando Police Department for 27 years before retiring in 2013. His father retired in 1989 after 25 years of service with the City of Orlando. Chief O'Dell received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College. He also completed the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course.

Chief O'Dell graduated from the Police Academy in February 1986. He worked in various assignments throughout his 27-year career in Orlando, including Patrol, the Neighborhood Patrol Unit, the Undercover and Uniform Drug Enforcement Units, the Intelligence Unit, the Bike Patrol Unit, the Field Training and Recruiting Unit, Violent Crimes Investigations, and as commander of the Criminal Investigations, Special Operations, Airport, and Crime Prevention divisions.

On June 1, 2011, Jeffrey M. O'Dell was appointed deputy chief of police by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. He served as the Patrol Services Bureau commander and High-Risk Incident commander until his retirement in January 2013.

Chief O'Dell also served as the Emergency Response Team commander for 3 years and on the Orlando Police Department SWAT Team for more than 18 years, holding every position from entry team member to team commander.

Jeff O'Dell was hired by the Kissimmee Police Department on January 2, 2013, and was appointed chief of police on August 10, 2016.

Chief O'Dell is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Florida Police Chief Association, the Central Florida Criminal Justice Association, and the Florida SWAT Association. He also serves on the boards for the Osceola Boys and Girls Club, the Osceola Technical College Criminal Justice Academy, the Park Place Behavioral Healthcare, and Help Now of Osceola.

Chief Jeff O'Dell has been married for 38 years to Kimberly L. O'Dell, president of O'Dell Group Management in Winter Garden, Florida. They have 2 children, Brittney and Tanner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize an incredible, longtime labor leader in Florida, a man who spent so much of his life to improve the lives of working families throughout the Sunshine State, and a man I call a dear friend.

Robert Michael Williams, or, as we knew him, Mike Williams, was born on October 27, 1950, in McIntosh, Florida, to Bob and Martha Williams. Mike's father worked in the paper mills and relocated his family to work in North Carolina and St. Marys, Georgia, where

Mike graduated from Camden County High School in 1968.

Mike lettered in football and basketball during all 4 years of high school. He was a pretty tall guy. He excelled in academics, represented his school at Boys State, participated in debate club, and, in his senior year, served as the student council president and ``Mr. CCHS,'' along with several other superlatives.

After attending Georgia Tech and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for a brief time, Mike packed his acoustic guitar, backpacked Europe, and then returned home only to head west to Colorado.

To support himself, Mike worked several different jobs, reflecting, ``I worked many temporary jobs in the service and construction industries, living paycheck to paycheck.''

Mike returned to Florida and began his career as a construction electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, otherwise known as IBEW, Local 177 in Jacksonville. During his time at the local, he chased work for years, traveling around the country in a travel trailer.

For Mike, holding a union card meant having dignity and respect on the job, a living wage, healthcare, retirement benefits, education, and training opportunities.

Mike learned early on in his career that, for far too long, far too many middle-class families had difficulty with basic workplace rights and that those rights remained out of reach as they struggled to pay rent, put food on the table, and seek medical attention.

``Becoming a member of the union meant finally having my hard work pay off by creating an opportunity for achieving personal goals and being able to provide for my family the way I wanted to. And it meant having the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, a dream that so many want to take away today.''

After working his trade for 15 years, Mike decided to take on leadership roles with his union by running for and being elected to become the business manager of his local.

Eight years later, Mike went on to serve as president of the Florida Building Trades Council, increasing the presence of the Florida building trades during the legislative session in Tallahassee and building a powerful voice for construction trades statewide.

Mike understood the impact a voice on the job can make on the lives of working people, but it wasn't until his trip to Colombia with the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center that he understood the global imperative of worker solidarity.

During the trip, Mike witnessed the damage both corporate and government forces could inflict on the rights of workers and the dangers of living in a state lacking the institutions to help combat these abuses.

He saw violence and hatred directed at those who were trying to organize for better living conditions and to make a better life for their families. The trip solidified Mike's commitment to fight for all working people.

In 2009, he was elected president of the Florida AFL-CIO. During his term, the Florida AFL-CIO expanded its powerful legislative and political advocacy by introducing Working Families Lobby Corps, a program where union members travel to Tallahassee daily during the legislative session and directly engage with their lawmakers.

This program continues to be a central force in building coalitions between labor and community organizations. His efforts are still thriving and carry on the vision that he saw for all working families.

Mike also extended the vision of labor to represent all workers by fostering new alliances with community, immigrant, and faith-based groups. To enact that vision, Mike spearheaded the creation of Fight for Florida to communicate the labor movement's message to the broader public.

Fight for Florida started as a website and blog that evolved to engage people and content creators outside of union membership on social and economic justice issues with the primary focus of informing the public that the work the Florida AFL-CIO does is for every working family.

As a Florida native, Mike understood the impacts that hurricanes can have on our communities and residents. Mike was hugely instrumental in organizing and participating in hurricane relief efforts in Florida and for other neighbors in the Southeast. He coordinated with various entities, including the Teamsters, to move goods, as well as FEMA and the national AFL-CIO to supply and staff these efforts, often traveling to the affected areas himself to distribute ice, water, food, formula, and diapers.

Later in his tenure as president, the AFL-CIO appointed Mike to their Racial Justice Task Force Advisory Committee, joining other union leaders from across the country to help combat racism in the ranks of union members and their locals.

As someone born in the South who attended segregated schools, as a southern White gentleman, this left a profound impact on him, reinvigorating his resolve for equality and justice for working people facing hardships due to discrimination.

Mike leaves behind his loving partner, Jeanette ``Jet'' Netwal; daughters, Amanda Williams of Saukville, Wisconsin, and Suzanne Williams of Asheville, North Carolina; grandchildren, Zane Tinney, Ethan Williams, and Hailey Wilson; sisters, Jane Buffkin of Locust Grove, Georgia; and Beth (Tom) Mason of Riverview, Florida; brother, Mike (Laurie) Williams of St. Petersburg, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

Beyond his dedication to fighting for the rights of working families, Mike was a man of diverse passions. Whether strumming his guitar or relaxing on his beloved boat, a 1985 Chris Craft Constellation, he found solace and joy in the simple pleasures in life, almost always wearing one of his iconic tropical, Florida T-shirts and button-down shirt.

Joined by his loving partner Jet, he cherished precious moments watching the mesmerizing Florida sunsets and embarking on unforgettable road trips. Never failing to advocate for his fellow union members, Mike often visited picket lines and organizational efforts in support of those in need. His absence reverberates through the labor community in Florida, as his unwavering commitment inspired a generation to carry forth his legacy and fight tirelessly for the rights of working families in Florida and beyond.

Mike will be sorely missed, but his transformative impact will continue to shine brightly and guide us in the pursuit of a fairer and more just society.

Mr. Speaker, I had the honor of serving nearly 10 years in Tallahassee, both in the State house and State senate, and Mike and I worked on a lot of battles together. We worked to help those who served our State in administrative capacities. We worked for first responders like our cops, firefighters, and EMTs, our teachers, and so many other civil servants to protect pensions so that they can retire in dignity. We fought for better pay, better benefits, and for safer working conditions throughout the Sunshine State.

When I got here to Washington in 2017, I made sure to always remember our roots, and I would go back to visit them every year in Tallahassee during session. Some years were good. Some years not so much. However, we always fought side by side to improve progress.

I remember so many issues starting to happen while we were here in Congress that we would work on together. When the SunRail was being expanded and plans were made to expand it, as well as Brightline, a high-speed rail coming from Miami to Orlando, and when we worked on Amtrak issues together, I remember being the first one to sit in his office and let him know that high-speed rail was coming to Florida and how we needed to make it safe and economical, and make sure that people were being paid fairly and had the opportunity to unionize should they want to.

Then, Mr. Speaker, after a tough couple of years, Mike got to see President Biden sworn into office after 4 years of tough situations with labor. He saw us have the most productive session in 50 years. We passed giant laws out of this very Chamber: The American Rescue Plan, the infrastructure law, the CHIPS Act, the PACT Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.

We got to talk about so many of those issues, but particularly for him as an electrician, as an IBEW guy, as a building trades guy, the infrastructure

law was of particular importance to him.

A generation of so many Americans, from sea to shining sea, will have work to do to upgrade America, to make sure all of our bridges, all of our roads, all of our highways, all of our water systems, all of our utility systems--which Mike would be most particularly proud about--as well as rural broadband and so many other areas. So many jobs, such a way to invest in the future. There are also a lot of clean energy projects coming to Florida and around our Nation to help boost solar, wind, nuclear, hydro, so many areas he cared deeply about. The CHIPS Act, which is bringing a record number of manufacturing starts in our Nation. In fact, we have seen a doubling, year over year, of new advanced manufacturing centers coming across the Nation.

The good news, Mr. Speaker, it takes thousands, hundreds of thousands of construction workers to help make these visions for our country a reality.

Mike always remembered our veterans. We have so many members of the AFL-CIO who served in the military. I remember getting to talk to him proudly about when we passed the PACT Act, helping so many veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, those facing terrible injuries from burn pits, and the veterans from Vietnam who still weren't getting their benefits, finally done in this critical landmark legislation to help our veterans.

Of course, he definitely had a smile as President Biden talked about these major laws and that they are going to provide good-paying union jobs. Of course, this is a fight now for the next generation.

I am going to miss him, Mr. Speaker, and I know so many of my colleagues will as well.

I also have some remarks from Representative Wasserman Schultz that I will read into the Record:

Mr. Speaker, with a heavy heart, I rise to honor the

remarkable life of the recently departed Florida AFL-CIO

President Mike Williams.

Starting as an apprentice, he became an electrician,

working the temporary service and construction jobs, and

living paycheck to paycheck, like so many workers do.

Seeing the critical value of job protections and livable

wages, he devoted his life to the labor movement, first as a

rank-and-file member for 15 years, before becoming business

manager of his Jacksonville Local IBEW 177.

Later he became president of the Florida Building Trades

Council, and in 2009 Mike was elected President of the

Florida AFL-CIO, where he served distinctively until his

death.

A natural born leader, Mike revitalized Florida labor by

fostering new alliances with community, immigrant, and faith-

based groups.

Tall, with a contagious smile, he told it to you straight

and always brought a worthy cause and compelling case for

workers to the Capitol.

Direct and trustworthy, he was a man of standards whose

shoes will be hard to fill.

Mike's empathy, dedication, and compassion will be sorely

missed, but his legacy and impact must never be forgotten.

May his memory be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I had lunch with him just in April, when I was there for legislative session. We talked about how he was looking forward to doing his summer boating that he would do every year. He would go all the way up the East Coast and then through the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi, and back out around. Other times he would go to the Keys or to the Bahamas or to other areas.

I am deeply saddened that he lost his life doing something he loved, but he got to see so much and meant so much to so many folks on my team and throughout the State legislature and the Congress.

Mike, I pray for you, and I hope you rest in peace. God bless your family.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today we recognize Bill Rockwood, Jr. for his contributions to Florida's Ninth Congressional District as the office's Deputy Legislative Director. During his time in the office, Bill also served as the Executive Director of the Future Forum.

As part of Team Soto, Bill originated and drafted a variety of bills, amendments, and appropriations requests with a particular focus on issues related to technology, finance, and the environment. Bill worked on seven bills that passed the House of Representatives, including three that were signed into law; he worked on 25 amendments that passed the House of Representatives, including 13 that were signed into law; and worked on over 200 report language requests and programmatic funding requests that were included in the final FY18-FY23 appropriation packages.

Bill is a graduate of Rollins College with an undergraduate degree in philosophy, the Crummer School of Business Administration with a Masters of Business Administration, and the Georgetown University Law Center

with a Juris Doctorate and a Masters of Laws (LL.M.) in Securities and Financial Regulation. Bill also played four-years of collegiate tennis and was a professional tennis instructor prior to attending law school.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 682, the Launch Communications Act.

In central Florida, the busiest spaceport in the world is right in our backyard in Cape Canaveral. We had a record year of 57 launches from the cape in 2022, and we are expecting a total of 87 launches or more this year, so quite often we see 2 or more in a single week.

When we see bad weather, as you can imagine, some of these launches start to stack up, which is why having a lengthy FCC license process for each launch can be cumbersome and costly.

That is why I introduced this bill with my colleague and fellow Floridian, Dr. Dunn, to streamline the process and ensure our spaceports continue to be the most efficient in the world.

The Launch Communications Act allocates certain spectrum for commercial launches and reentries. It streamlines the process for authorization to said spectrum while also keeping it available to other users and ensuring coordination to prevent any interference with government systems.

As we continue to break launch records year after year, we need to streamline these processes to continue to ensure that America remains the world leader in space. This bill does exactly that.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Chair Latta, Chair McMorris Rodgers, Ranking Member Pallone, Ranking Member Matsui, and, of course, my fellow Floridian, Dr. Dunn, for passing this bill out of committee unanimously.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Launch Communications Act.