Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Sandra Nixon Tynes, an educator and ordained Christian Evangelist, co-founded the Welcome Table Ministries along with her husband Deacon Carlton A. Tynes, a Korean War veteran and 30-year civil servant. They had a joint vision to establish a ministry dedicated to serving others. Although Deacon Tynes transitioned in December of 2019, Welcome Table Ministries continues its good work under co-founder Dr. Sandra Nixon Tynes with an ardent, unwavering mandate to serve the hopeless, the hungry, the homeless, and the helpless.

Since its inception, Welcome Table Ministries has served over 29,000 hot nutritious home-cooked meals and provided confidential counseling, free resumes, free tutoring in English language arts, special holiday treats/gifts, emergency groceries, and monetary crisis assistance. Dr. Tynes also provides assistance with religious services. Welcome Table Ministries has touched the lives of many in countless strives to fulfill its mission to ``share the sweet love of Jesus Christ one hot meal and one act of kindness at a time.'' They have been doing so for over 23 years.

Dr. Tynes has been recognized by the City of Kissimmee with a proclamation for the ministry, service, and partnership with other community organizations in Osceola County.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Ann Y. Eastman Ellison Tyler retired from Calvert County, Maryland Public Schools and moved to Kissimmee, Florida in 1991. As a music educator, she was urged to teach again. Her love of music in Osceola County public schools and in the community was evident as she created and nurtured soloists, choruses, and pianists. She rarely turned anyone down when music was needed for weddings, wakes, and funerals--performing with compassion and strict professionalism, many times gratis.

Dr. Tyler hails from the Bronx. Education was the primary family goal. After finishing Manhattan's High School of Music and Art, she earned her bachelor's and master's in music education from Howard University in Washington, D.C., joining Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Dr. Tyler earned her degree in curriculum and instruction in 2002 from the University of Central Florida while teaching in Osceola County. She speaks her mind to students, parents, and the government to improve situations.

Several Osceola committee appointments included affirmative action, charter review, and housing. She is a life member and past president of the Osceola County Education Association--Retired. Dr. Tyler's life achievement awards have come from the Osceola County Branch 5121 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Caribbean and Floridian Association, and the City of Kissimmee. She believes in and supports funding student scholarships.

Dr. Tyler's curriculum has always included American patriotic lyrics, African American gospel and jazz, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American folk songs, and acting and dancing skits from Pre-K, special education, to high school, enjoyed by the children and many parents.

Dr. Tyler has acted in commercials and the Zora Neale Hurston PBS documentary. Since retirement, she authored two books, ``Grandma Julia'' and ``The New Octogenarian: The First 180 Days.''

At 84 with two grown sons and her faith, life is full.

Mr. Speaker, Jennifer Paul is a lifelong resident of Osceola County. Jennifer is a warrior for bringing awareness to Black history matters in Osceola County and for her involvement in the Whitted Historic Community. In addition to serving in her community, Jennifer has over 15 years of experience in the Department of Defense manufacturing industry, where she currently works full-time.

Jennifer received the Osceola County Women Warrior award in 2022 for publicly sharing Black history from Osceola County of different lifelong icons who have served their community and community pillars. Also. for opening up opportunities for future generations.

Jennifer is a member of the NAACP of Osceola County 5121, serves as the chairperson for the environmental committee, and was recently elected to serve on the at-large executive committee for the local

Mr. Speaker, Merchon Green is a graduate of Florida State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and a minor in communications. She also earned a Juris Doctorate in Law from Southern University Law Center.

Merchon is the founder of MDG Advisory Group, a full-service consulting firm, and Pioneering Change, Inc., a community advocacy organization dedicated to equity and equality. Merchon founded Pioneering Change, Inc. in March of 2017 after a series of murders in the Gifford community. Pioneering Change, Inc. works to unify citizens, educate them to increase self-sufficiency, and equip them with strategies to advocate for themselves, as well as employ ways to better their communities.

Merchon has served on numerous committees advocating for equity, equality, and representation for the underserved. From 2018 to 2020, Merchon served as the chairperson for the School District of Indian River County's Federal Court Mandated Equity Committee, where she oversaw the district's compliance with the 1967 Desegregation Order, as well as made policy, program, and service recommendations to remedy inequities in the School District of Indian River County.

Today, she is the City of Orlando's first equity official and is working to ensure that all residents feel equally valued, equally protected, and have equitable access to opportunities in the City Beautiful.

Mr. Chairman, I am amazed to see, for hours, Republicans arguing against President Biden lowering gas prices. That is simply fascinating to me.

President Biden was well within his authority and the law he utilized to draw down oil from our strategic reserve. The law is there to help prevent disruption.

There is a war in Ukraine. We rightfully banned Russian oil together. That is a disruption, and President Biden acted.

Maybe you all didn't like that, but he acted. That resulted in savings for

American families of $1.69 per gallon since the peak price. So what are you all talking about?

Now, compare President Trump, who used the strategic reserve to help pay for the GOP tax scam for the rich.

So let me get this straight. Republicans think saving American families on gas during a war in Europe is wrong, but financing tax cuts for fat cat billionaires is okay. That makes no sense.

Even more incredible, President Biden sold the oil on an open market, at a high price, and then he replenished it at a lower price, earning $4 billion in profit for American taxpayers. You cannot make this up.

Then my colleagues across the aisle--how do you like them apples, huh?

Another thing, oil companies already hold leases on 12.6 million acres of public lands already, and they are using just about half of them.

So you can spend hours talking about how you oppose Biden's successful effort to prevent a disruption in a time of war in Europe that we are helping to support to lower gas prices for the American people.

I stand with the President on this, and so do millions of Americans.

Mr. Chairman, I offer amendment No. 44.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment ensures that this bill, H.R. 21, will not go into effect until the Department of Energy can certify that gas prices won't increase as it develops a plan to expand oil and gas drilling on Federal lands by the same percentage that it releases oil from the SPR.

Essentially, if we are going to get more or equal savings from using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve then we would not be expanding drilling on public lands and sell off more lands needlessly.

In addition, I know I spoke before about some of the issues we had with the underlying legislation, but I did want to bring a few more facts to bear.

When President Trump and the Republicans financed the GOP tax scam for the rich with similar strategic oil reserves, some of that gas was bought by China, by the way. You don't hear about that much, but under President Trump and under President Biden, we

saw China buy some of this gas because it was sold to the overall market.

Now, we came together, Mr. Chairman, in a bipartisan fashion to limit that. You don't hear a lot in the debate today that Trump sold gas to China or that Trump sold oil to China as so much is talked about President Biden.

Fact number two is President Trump had used the strategic reserve when the Saudis and their refineries were attacked. Again, disruption, just like we see with us banning Russian oil in a bipartisan fashion and just like we see with the oil reserve.

There is a lot of amnesia here in the Chamber about the historic use under two administrations to try to steady out the price of gas for everyday Americans.

Lastly, we opposed for many years eliminating the ability to export America's gas and oil abroad. There was a bipartisan deal a few years ago where we got the ability to continue the tax credits for solar and wind and other renewables, and the Republicans asked us to include an elimination of this ban on exporting fuel abroad. That is a big part of how this all happened, and that is certainly not an America First policy when we hear so much about the debate on the amount of gas and the price of gas here.

I will end where I began, which is President Biden helped lower gas prices, and now we are hearing a multihour debate about how they oppose that.

I certainly stand with the President, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Offered By: Mr. Soto

Amendment No. 44: Page 2, line 13, strike ``date of

enactment of this subsection'' and insert ``date this

paragraph takes effect described in paragraph (4)''.

Page 3, after line 9, insert the following:

``(4) Effective date.--Paragraph (1) shall take effect on

the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a

certification that, in the opinion of the Secretary, the

price of gasoline and diesel fuel will not increase in any

Petroleum Administration for Defense District while the

Secretary develops the plan described in such paragraph.''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding life and legacy of Dr. Daniel Holsenbeck, age 80, who passed away on December 5, 2022. Dr. Holsenbeck, who was widely known as ``Dr. Dan'' was senior vice oresident emeritus at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he worked for over 35 years. Dr. Dan touched the lives of countless individuals and left a lasting impression on the Central Florida community.

Dr. Holsenbeck helped to foster deep relationships across the Central Florida community and across the State of Florida that propelled the university's rise in quality and reputation. He helped shape many of the big ideas that have transformed UCF into the place it is today, including championing the region's modeling and simulation industry and UCF's partnerships with the military. He was instrumental in securing state funding for UCF's main campus, the establishment of the College of Medicine, and the creation of the downtown Orlando UCF campus. As an instructor, he loved being in the classroom with students, helping to shape future public relations and government relations professionals.

Dr. Holsenbeck reported to five UCF presidents before retiring in December 2019. His impact on UCF and throughout Central Florida will be felt for generations. In 1985, he was hired as associate vice president of government relations. He was promoted to vice president in 1993 and senior vice president in 2014. He served as senior counsel to the president in 2018 and 2019 and then was honored with the title of senior vice president emeritus.

Dr. Holsenbeck is credited for establishing the UCF Legislative Scholars program, which has been described as the ``best program'' of its kind in Florida's State Capitol. Created 19 years ago, the program enables students to augment their academic learning by working full time in legislators' offices during the annual Florida legislative session. Since the program's inception, 220 scholars have learned the ``ins and outs'' of Florida's legislative and public policy-making arena, learning directly from legislative staff, governmental agencies, and lobbying groups while gaining valuable governmental experience.

Dr. Holsenbeck also served UCF presidents in numerous public relations and advisory capacities, including managing University Economic Development and Defense Transition Services. A former captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve, the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division named a Navy jet in his honor, in recognition of his dedication to growing the Modeling, Simulation and Training community.

Dr. Holsenbeck was director of basic enlisted mathematics for the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School from 1967 through 1969. He served as the principal civilian advisor on college and university teaching and testing for the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, Florida. In that capacity, he conducted teaching seminars for all NROTC Navy and Marine instructors from 1971 to 1998. As a drilling reservist, he held four commands in Orlando and Montgomery, Alabama.

Dr. Holsenbeck earned a Bachelor's in mathematics, with honors, from Auburn University, a Master's in education from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate in higher education management systems from Florida State University. UCF awarded Dr. Holsenbeck an honorary Doctorate degree in 2019 in recognition of his distinguished service to the university and Central Florida, as well as the military.

Before coming to UCF, Dr. Holsenbeck was associate vice president for development and alumni affairs at the University of South Florida, the director of university relations at Auburn University, and vice chancellor for development at Auburn University at Montgomery.

Dr. Holsenbeck greatly appreciated the important role nonprofit organizations play in the community and volunteered his time generously on several boards. The Kids House of Seminole County was especially important to him for its dedication to prevent child abuse and provide support for child abuse victims and their families.

He was active in local and national civic and professional organizations, including the Central Florida Partnership, the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida, the board of directors of Visit Orlando, the Orange County R&D Authority (chairman, 1999 to 2000) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Dr. Dan served on the CASE National Board of Trustees and was chairman of CASE's National Commission on Government Relations. He was chairman of the CASE National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and American Association of State Colleges and Universities Task Force on State Relations from 1996 to 1997. In 1999, Dr. Holsenbeck received the highest national recognition for his state relations activities, the Swede Johnson Award sponsored by CASE, NASULGC and AASCU. He has served on the Boards of Kids House of Seminole, Work Force Central Florida, the UCF Foundation, the National Center for Simulation, the UCF Alumni Association, and the Board of Visitors for the FAMU College of Law.

Dr. Holsenbeck was blessed with a loving family whom he adored and admired. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Joyce Clampitt, a former UCF administrator, and his daughter, Amy Clampitt-Holsenbeck, a board- certified physician assistant and pediatric health specialist. He was preceded in death by his son Alan Clampitt-Holsenbeck.

Dr. Holsenbeck leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and inspiration. Dr. Dan's positive outlook on life touched the lives of so many and made our community a better place. I am saddened by the loss of such a valuable member of the community and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Madam Speaker, it is time to set our people free. After 124 years, it is past time for Americans in Puerto Rico to decide their own form of government.

The Puerto Rico Status Act will finally allow Puerto Ricans to throw off their colonial bonds, finally end their territorial status and choose for themselves: statehood, independence, and sovereignty with free association. What a historic day today is in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With the option of statehood, which is my preference, it is simple. Puerto Rico would become the 51st State in our Nation, with all the representation rights of our States.

With independence, they would become an independent nation, a sovereign free to decide their own future.

With sovereignty with free association, they would be an independent nation and would have the right to enter into a compact, a contract between the United States and Puerto Rico that would provide for citizenship for a limited time, foreign policy agreements, among other matters.

The history of this bill this term is really important to discuss. We had two hearings that lasted a day each. We had bipartisan negotiations with the great leader on the Republican side, Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, the very voice of the island of Puerto Rico, along with my colleagues Nydia Velazquez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, our great chairman here, and, of course, our leader.

It is bipartisan. Just to make sure, we had another nearly daylong hearing, meeting with stakeholders on the island after the draft was released.

Then, of course, we had a markup. That lasted all day. In fact, I can't think of a single bill that we have gotten out of the Natural Resources Committee that we spent more time on this term than this bill.

Of course, we see a long history of discrimination against territories, or excuses for why territories shouldn't become States.

With Texas, they said, ``Could a nation become a State?'' But they got in.

With New Mexico, they talked about a majority Hispanic native State. It took them nearly 70 years. They got in.

In Utah, there was religious discrimination. In Hawaii, it was a nation and a predominantly native island--Alaska, as well.

One by one, we admitted these territories as States based upon their desire to join the Union.

At this moment, I can't help but well up with emotion. I think about the brave, Borinqueneers, who fought in World War I, World War II, Korea. Puerto Ricans serve in our armed services to this day in greater numbers, in many instances, than States. Many died fighting for a country that organized them into segregated units, sent them there on orders of a Commander in Chief for whom they could not vote under our laws. Yet, as Puerto Ricans, as Americans, they did so proudly, sacrificing their lives for our freedom.

I think about my trips to Iraq and Afghanistan during the global war on terror. I can never forget traveling through the vast desert of Kuwait and, upon landing at an isolated base, there was the Puerto Rican flag flying in the middle of the desert. You have to wonder, what were they doing there? It is out of love of this country that they were there.

I was similarly welcomed by a Puerto Rican medical unit proudly serving in Afghanistan under constant threat of danger.

I think about those families I met after Hurricane Maria and the devastation caused there, the most deadly disaster in modern history. That was a watershed moment for so many of us. It just showed how fragile the rights of those on the island were, recovering from Puerto Rico's worst disaster, with Hurricane Maria.

I also think of my bisabuela, Altagracia Casanova. Born just after the turn of the 20th century, I met her for the first time when she was in her late eighties during my first trip to the island. I was only 3 years old. We developed a close relationship, and she ultimately lived to 96 years old.

Her life spanned nearly a century. All the while, she lived in a colonial territory as a second-class citizen in the greatest democracy in the world. What a tragedy. What an irony.

I think about my abuela, Sara Casanova, who would come to the mainland every summer to spend time with us, teach us the language and history, enjoy our native food and music, and familiarize us with our family's native culture.

She died right before my first successful primary to the Florida House of Representatives back in 2007. But before she passed, even with a fading memory, she read about the campaign in La Prensa and cried. She understood it was a historic moment for our family, a passing of the torch to the next generation.

I carry that torch into this Chamber, and I ask you all to support freedom for our family back on the island, just like we expect for every other American.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Charles E. Anderson, Sr. is the Senior Pastor and Founder of Trinity Church--one church in several locations. Dr. Anderson has served over 25 years in pastoral ministry and has had the opportunity to serve in various capacities in the International, National, State, and Local arenas. He is the President of Unity in the Community in Haines City, Florida, which is a group of local pastors, local businesses, and community leaders who work together to promote unity in the Haines City community and other surrounding areas throughout Polk County. UIC promotes and develops economic empowerment for businesses and fosters positive relationships between city government, law enforcement, and citizens.

Through Dr. Anderson's leadership, UIC and Trinity Church have championed several annual community projects and programs such as hosting a testing site for COVID-19 vaccines, a community feeding program, constructing affordable housing in the East Polk County area, a work readiness program that educates youth and prepares them for success, a back-to-school bash which continues to serve more than 2,000 families with backpacks and school supplies, and a Miracle Christmas serving over 250 families with bicycles, toys, and gift cards.

Dr. Anderson serves on the Central Florida Health Care Board of Directors where he provides guidance for policies and strategic development. He also serves on the Advent Health Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Council. Dr. Anderson has also worked with the State Attorney's office of the 10th Judicial Circuit to host several expungement seminars to allow citizens with criminal records to be sealed or expunged and live more productive lives.

Dr. Anderson received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, a Master of Theological Studies, and a Doctor of Divinity from Logos University Christian College in Jacksonville. He also received a second Master of Ministry from Warner University in Lake Wales. Dr. Anderson has been married to Dr. Judith F. Anderson for the past 42 years. He has two sons, Charles II (Shaelis) and Javier (Chassidee), nine grandchildren, and two great-grandkids.

America, we have lift off. In a surge of fire, thunder, and smoke, Artemis I lit the early morning sky and was launched into the cosmos. At 9 million pounds of thrust, Artemis I is the most powerful rocket ever launched from the Earth. I was honored to see this historic flight firsthand early yesterday morning.

Now, after 50 years, America takes its first major step toward going back to the Moon; and we are bringing our many international partners with us, including the EU, Japan, Canada, and other allies.

In Central Florida, we locals beam with pride that Artemis launched from the storied 39B pad from Cape Canaveral.

This first mission was a long time in the making. The Orion spacecraft began to be developed during the Constellation program from 2005-2010.

In 2017, I was proud to vote formally to establish the Artemis program. Over the next 5 years, America got to work, including every State. Many Central Floridians helped build or assemble the Orion capsule, the Space Launch System, the crawler transporter, and other components.

During that 5-year period, NASA and SpaceX also kept busy on another key project, launching the Crew Dragon spacecraft. On May 30, 2020, I saw, firsthand, Astronauts Bob and Doug launch in the Spacecraft Endeavour and dock at the International Space Station. This was the first crewed launch from American soil in 9 years.

Since then, we have seen multiple SpaceX and Blue Origin crewed flights. Travel in low Earth orbit to and from ISS is now a regular occurrence in Central Florida.

With these flights well in hand, NASA turned its efforts toward deep space exploration once again. As the most powerful rocket ever to fly from the Earth, we knew the first Artemis launch would never be easy. But America never gives up.

It turned out that, after two scrubbed launches, the third time was the charm. As I stand here this morning, the Orion spacecraft just had its next burn to set it on a course for a lunar flyby. The closest approach to the Moon will be on November 21, before entering a distant retrograde orbit around the moon on November 25. It will roughly travel 1.3 million miles, farther than any other crew-designed spacecraft that has ever traveled.

It is a test flight, of course, so we will push Orion's capabilities to the maximum to ensure it is safe for future astronauts. Then Orion will return to the Earth in about 25\1/2\ days. After that, NASA will construct extensive evaluations of the returning Orion capsule.

From there, the future of crewed lunar spaceflight will begin to accelerate. In 2024, Artemis II will be the first crewed launch around the Moon in a new craft. In 2025, Artemis III crew will have the first woman and next man land on the Moon. And in 2027, Artemis IV will dock with the Lunar Gateway Space Station and begin our permanent presence on the Moon.

We will seek to discover water, learn from the harsh lunar environment, and advance new technologies. By the 2030s, these experiences and innovations will help us prepare to go to Mars and beyond.

For today, let us take a moment to appreciate and thank the tremendous accomplishments of Administrator Bill Nelson and the amazing people at NASA. Yesterday was a critical milestone in our country's space history. This is a first major step for America to go back to the Moon, and then on to Mars and beyond.

Madam Speaker, a native of Salem, Massachusetts, Edward J. Ryan III is currently serving as the director of athletic medicine at The Andrews Institute providing service to the United States Tennis Association's players in Orlando, Florida. In 1980, he graduated from Northeastern University with his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and completed a Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Sciences at the University of Arizona in 1985. He then spent many years with the U.S. Olympics in Colorado before relocating to Florida in 2016.

Mr. Ryan has been involved with USA Basketball teams for well over three decades for numerous national and international events. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Ryan was the medical coordinator for the USA Basketball Women's National Team. He was also the medical director and head athletic trainer for numerous events, including the 2006 and 2002 Winter Olympics, the 2004, 1996, and 1992 Summer Olympics, the 1998 Winter Paralympics, and the 2011, 2003, 1999, 1995, and 1991 Pan American Games. He has also worked closely with USA Team Handball and U.S. Track & Field at various international competitions.

Edward Ryan leaves a legacy of progressive change in sports medicine that has impacted all athletes. His medical team model of delivery has additionally translated to the better health and wellness of the general population in America and abroad. Mr. Ryan had a vision decades ago to diversify the inclusion of a multi-provider team approach in sports medicine that has since optimized healing and human performance throughout the wide world of sports.

Madam Speaker, Yadira Sanchez is currently serving as the executive director of Poder Latinx and is a co-founder of the organization, which focuses on civic and social justice and is dedicated to building a sustained progressive voting bloc of Latinxs in

key states while strengthening the political power of the Latinx community. As the daughter of immigrant parents, Yadira grew up in a mixed-status home and learned about the inner workings of her community's upward battle. Her passion to advocate for families like hers led her to champion the work she is doing today in Florida and beyond, being a fierce advocate for economic, environmental, and immigrant justice.

Poder Latinx launched its efforts in 2019 in Orlando, Florida, and today has operations in four states. Since 2019, Poder Latinx has knocked on doors across Central Florida for voter registration and mobilization efforts, hosted community events and information sessions on economic, environmental, and immigrant justice, and tailored a culturally and language accessible message to inform and mobilize Central Florida's Latinx community. Most recently, the organization opened a second office in Central Florida located in Kissimmee to expand accessibility to the Latinx community. Yadira's steadfast commitment to Central Florida is present through all of the programs Poder Latinx executes.

Yadira earned her bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and her master's degree from the George Washington University. She previously served as the development director for Mi Familia Vota, where she helped raise over $20 million and expanded strategic partnerships with major organizations to increase year-round civic participation efforts within the Latinx community. She was also proud to support the Fast for Families campaign for immigration reform during her time in the immigration department at the SEIU.

Madam Speaker, as a labor organizer, Claudino ``Tito'' Rosario has served Central Florida for the past 15 years working to organize hospitality workers with UNITE HERE Local 362.

Tito was one of the key organizers in the union's fight to win $15 per hour at Walt Disney World in 2018, while winning affordable healthcare for airport workers, recruiting countless workplace leaders, participating in civil disobedience, and building a stronger union that is filled with hope due to his spirit.

Tito first joined UNITE HERE when he became a custodial cast member at Walt Disney World in 1995. He worked in several resorts across their property, eventually working at Disney's Animal Kingdom where he became a shop steward for his co-workers in 2005. He was hired to the Local 362 Union organizing team in 2007 where he organized workers at Walt Disney World, airport food service workers, airline catering workers, and casino workers across the country.

In retirement, Tito plans to spend time with his wife Lourdes of 25 years, his 11 grandchildren, and his one great-grandchild. He also plans to donate time to his church's ministry--Iglesia Pentecostal Pozo De Jacob, Inc. Pastores Melissa Rivera y Jose A. Franco--serving as secretary general. Tito has touched thousands of lives in Central Florida, and I join the members of UNITE HERE Local 362 in being forever grateful for his hard work and dedication.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Diana Mendez was born and raised by her Peruvian

family in Lima before moving to Orlando, Florida when she was 14 years old.

After high school, Dr. Mendez earned a bachelor's degree with honors in psychology from the University of Central Florida. She then earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy and completed a clinical health psychology post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Behavioral Sciences.

Dr. Mendez is board certified in behavioral and cognitive psychology and began working at the Orlando VA healthcare system in 2014. As a result of her outstanding clinical skills and natural leadership abilities, she now oversees the clinical care, staff, and operations of mental health services across four of the Orlando VA's community-based outpatient clinics.

Every aspect of Dr. Mendez's career reflects a dedication to advocacy, equity, and service to others. Her research focuses on decreasing health disparities by improving social determinants of health for at-risk and underrepresented communities. She works tirelessly to improve access to mental health care for veterans from historically marginalized communities, which is reflected in her clinics' operations, as well as in the evidence-based, culturally sensitive approach she takes within her clinical work.

As a VA national consultant for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Mendez's leadership and expertise has been a driving force behind many DEI-related initiatives at the Orlando VA and throughout VA's across the country.

Madam Speaker, Elsie M. Colon Rivera is a 36-year-old Hispanic woman from Cidra, Puerto Rico, and the oldest and only sister of five children. She was born with a rare blood disease called Von Willebrand disease. Playing as a child was a challenge because she could have lots of bleeds, but it still didn't stop her from doing sports like gymnastics, cheerleading, and swimming, and reaching her goals.

From high school up until leaving Puerto Rico, Elsie volunteered at Centro de Bendicion in San Juan, a social help center. There, Elsie helped people obtain their high school diplomas, and distribute meals, clothes, and personal hygiene products, among others. This volunteer experience helped her find what she loved and defined her professional career to the service of people. Also, as a veteran dependent, she participated in the work-study program at San Juan VA Medical Center. There, she worked in the administrative area of the mental health clinic. This work set her commitment to service.

She moved from Puerto Rico to Florida in 2016 with her husband in search of a better future. Elsie is an honor graduate of a master's in business administration at the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico. From 2018 to 2022, Elsie worked in the family business doing administrative work. She missed her work of service and decided to move to AGM University's Orlando Campus to work as an administrative coordinator. Elsie is highly motivated by her daughter to use a positive mind, empathy, and energy to encourage others to succeed.