Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, Iris Padilla immigrated to the United States from Venezuela at the age of 16. She is passionate about education and serving her community. In 2011, she fueled that passion by creating Kids Academy Learning Center.

Iris is the original founder of Kids Academy Learning Center and a co-owner of three additional facilities located in Haines City and Eagle Lake. The learning academies provide educational services for over 500 families and employment opportunities that boost the local economy.

She prides herself on the center's mission, ``staff will strive to provide the highest quality childcare and educational service that promotes and enhances each child's development while assuring our parent's peace of mind in the care and service we render.''

Iris exemplifies the heart of a servant leader. She provides free notary services and is an active member of the Kiwanis Club, the Northeast Chamber, and the professional development for the Council for Professional Recognition, where she ensures that childcare specialists are trained and equipped to provide excellent service to children. She is also a member of the Latin Business Expo where she works to spread awareness of positivity throughout the community by highlighting, promoting, and educating the community about Hispanic culture and businesses.

Iris is honored to have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of so many families on a daily basis. She is the mother of 2 children and has 8 grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli was born in Mexico City. He immigrated to the United States when he was 13 and lived in South Carolina during his early years in the states. He dropped out of school after two years of college to work for a living. He returned to school after four years of doing different kinds of jobs, including working as a stocker, a waiter, and working for a small bilingual newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina.

He moved to Charleston in 1997 and by working and studying at the same time, he was able to finish college in 2003. Part of that time was spent working with his parents who were then starting a small Mexican bakery in Charlotte. He decided to pursue graduate education in anthropology and moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University in 2004. There, he earned a Ph.D. in 2022.

He then moved to Florida in 2011 and joined the staff of the Farmworker Association of Florida in 2016 as part of the research team. In that role, he has been advocating for better working conditions for farmworkers in Central Florida and raising awareness about the short and long-term effects of heat-related illness.

In late 2020, he became the general coordinator of the association. In that role, he has worked to establish relationships with schools in Kissimmee to offer students the opportunity to participate in the organization's agroecology program.

Earlier this year, he met with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Rachel Levine, and myself, to speak about the concerns of Central Florida farmworkers and other rural and low-income communities.

Madam Speaker, Yesica Ramirez is the Apopka office area coordinator at the Farmworker Association of Florida. She and her family come from Michoacan, Mexico. Her first job in Apopka was as a plant nursery worker, where she worked for six years. Yesica also took several other jobs such as housekeeper and dishwasher.

During the years Yesica worked at the plant nursery, she had no clue about pesticides and wondered how she had gotten rashes on her arms and hands. She later became pregnant with her third child who was born with complications. Upon birth, the baby needed to get their skull cut to get the head molded. When community members were active, fed up, and had a hint of hope for immigration reform, Yesica joined one of FWAF's marches in 2006. That was her introduction to FWAF. As she became more involved with the organization, a lot of things became clearer, such as the rashes on her hands and arms, and her child's health complications. During her work at the plant nursery, Yesica made a mixture of Clorox and alcohol with no protective gear. She has been fighting for social justice as part of the FWAF staff for 10 years.

Through her work with FWAF, Yesica has been active in Florida's Ninth Congressional

District working on immigration and voting rights, including working with the Young American Dreamers and doing outreach in the district to make sure that farmworkers in the area know their rights and become members of the association. Recently, Yesica was part of a delegation that met with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Rachel Levine, to voice the issues that concern and affect farmworkers in Central Florida.

Madam Speaker, Nestor Rodriguez was born in 1970 in Manhattan, New York. After his birth, his family relocated to Puerto Rico where he lived until the age of 18.

In 1988, he joined the U.S. Army and served as an infantryman until May of 1992. He then moved to Miami to pursue his education. He joined the Florida Army National Guard and served as an active guard reserve from 1992 to 2012. During this time, he participated in many hurricane and disaster relief efforts including for Hurricane Andrew in 1992. In 1999, he and his family relocated to Orlando where he finished his active-duty career with the Florida National Guard.

Then, he was deployed to Iraq from 2003 to 2004 where he served as an infantry squad leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon his return from Iraq, he continued to pursue his education while still serving the State of Florida Army National Guard and raising three children with his wife Elizabeth. In 2005, his unit was assigned to do hurricane relief duties during Hurricane Charlie, which hit Osceola and Orange Counties hard.

In July of 2012, Mr. Rodriguez began a new chapter in his life by becoming an Orlando VA employee where he started his career as a clerk, then a program support assistant, then a provider outreach coordinator. Currently, he is the veteran outreach coordinator and minority veteran program coordinator. In 2013, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in management from Columbia College of Missouri's Orlando campus. In 2015, he graduated with a master's degree in pastoral psychology from Professional Christian University in Kissimmee.

To date, he is still serving the veteran community by providing resources to the veteran population.

Madam Speaker, Vanessa Castillo has been a public servant for almost 24 years. The daughter of Puerto Rican parents, she was born and raised in Chicago where she began her studies and taught minority youth.

After moving to Florida in 1998, she began working for the Orange County government where she served for nine years in four departments while obtaining her Associate of Arts degree in 2001 from Valencia College. This led to a new career path serving as a clerk for the municipalities of Haines City, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and Winter Haven, where Vanessa serves as that city's first Hispanic city clerk. While serving the citizens of Winter Haven, she received her Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management with a concentration in public administration from Polk State College.

A committed public servant, she is honored to serve citizens with integrity, transparency, fairness, honesty, and equality. She is always eager to help them understand the inner workings of government and see it in a positive light. Her greatest motivations are her parents. Her late mother, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, came to the U.S. in the 1970s and was a straight-A student who dreamed of becoming an accountant. Yet, she sacrificed her higher education to put her children first. Her father, also from Caguas, came to the U.S. in 1955 to seek better opportunities. A retired electrician, he dropped out of high school to help his family and later received his GED. Through their efforts, Vanessa became a strong and successful Hispanic woman who has never forgotten her roots.

Madam Speaker, Jose A. Diaz-Roman is the stakeholder and community relations manager with onePULSE Foundation, the nonprofit organization established following the Pulse Nightclub tragedy of June 12, 2016 to honor and preserve the legacy of the 49 people killed, the ones who survived, and all of the lives affected by the tragedy.

Jose develops and implements stakeholder and community relations programs and is responsible for managing and cultivating relationships with the Pulse-affected and community-based organizations in Central Florida. He also identifies new individuals, organizations, and companies to align with the onePULSE Foundation's promise to ``Not Let Hate Win.''

He also manages annual family days in Orlando and Puerto Rico to provide victims' families and Pulse survivors with time to gather together in an uplifting atmosphere and ultimately create bonds of support that are crucial to their continued healing process. Jose also manages ongoing listening sessions with the Pulse-affected and task force members to gather input and feedback about plans for the National Pulse Memorial and Museum and the Orlando Health Survivors Walk.

Jose nurtures meaningful and sustainable relationships with key community groups and delivers the foundation's vision within the local community.

A volunteer for the American Red Cross, Jose also represents the onePULSE Foundation as a member of One Orlando Alliance, serving on the Community Engagement Committee and the Acts of Love and Kindness Committee.

Madam Speaker, we have been elected to Congress to solve the greatest challenges of our time, and today, we are doing just that.

We are taking action to combat climate change.

We are taking action to lower drug prices for seniors with a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket expenses.

We are taking action to keep ObamaCare affordable for millions of Floridians.

We are taking action by increasing vaccine access with our HAPPY Act.

We are doing it all while reducing the deficit by over $300 billion over the next 10 years.

We are lowering costs; we are fighting inflation; and we are saving the planet. This is the largest investment to resolve the climate crisis in our Nation's history. It will reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030.

When generations look back years from now, they will read that this was a turning point. How many more category 5 hurricanes, how many more massive wildfires, deadly floods, dried-up rivers, and record heat waves do you need?

How many more seniors have to get sick or die because they can't afford their medication?

How many more families have to be kicked off their health insurance?

How much longer before you all get it?

We are not waiting any longer. The Republicans' plan is to do nothing. In contrast, we in the Democratic majority will lead. Today, we will act. Today, we will do what is necessary to protect this generation and the next.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the authors of the CHIPS Act of 2022 for including $52.7 billion to incentivize investments and continued American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing to help address supply chain disruptions and ensure that more semiconductors are produced here at home. Currently, only 12 percent of chips are manufactured domestically, compared to 37 percent in the 1990s. The CHIPS Act of 2022 will ensure the Congressional goal of promoting domestic competitiveness and the Act also includes safeguards to ensure that recipients of Federal funds from these programs cannot build advanced semiconductor production facilities in countries that present a national security concern.

Within my central Florida district is the NeoCity technology campus which is recognized as an emerging microelectronics manufacturing and advanced packaging hub, that has already made synergies with institutions of higher education across Florida and key partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Commerce. NeoCity is home to BRIDG, a not for-profit, public-private partnership specializing in domestic semiconductor research, advanced packaging, and manufacturing. Imec, a world-renowned international research and development organization active in semiconductor design and architecture. SUSS MicroTec and TEL, leading suppliers of equipment and process solutions for the semiconductor industry. And Sky Water Technology, the only U.S. owned and operated pure play trusted foundry, that works on leading edge advanced packaging technology. They all work in collaboration out of the Center for Neovation, one of the most state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facilities in the western hemisphere. As envisioned by this important legislation, the facilities, and experts at BRIDG, imec, SUSS MicroTec, TEL, and Sky Water Technology offer immediate capability to accelerate U.S. production of critical semiconductor chips, strengthen the domestic supply chain so chips are made in America, and turbocharge our research capacity. Equally as important, the NeoCity Academy, a public STEM magnet high school, is training the leaders of tomorrow's science and technology workforce.

I am proud of the work being undertaken in my district to support domestic semiconductor manufacturing technology development as they work to address the supply chain. I look forward to working with the Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce on implementation of the CHIPS for America Fund.

Additionally, I appreciate the inclusion of two provisions that I submitted that were included in the final passage, one amendment and one standalone bill. One COMPETES Act amendment was included to extend non-profits to be included in CHIPS funding. Specifically, the provision adds nonprofits to the definition of ``covered entities'' to expand the semiconductor incentive program to include nonprofit entities, which clarifies that non-profit entities like the 501(c)(3) fatalities in NeoCity are also eligible for funding under the semiconductor incentive program. Finally, I appreciate the inclusion of a standalone bill, H.R. 8545, that Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a blockchain and cryptocurrencies advisory specialist position within the Office to advise the President on matters related to blockchain and cryptocurrencies. OSTP advises the President and others within the Executive Office of the President on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of the economy, national security, homeland security, health, foreign relations, and the environment. it is critical to create such a position within OSTP to ensure there is a policy expert.

Madam Speaker, in recognition of World Coming Together to Make a Difference (WOCOTOMADI) International Kings Day 2022, I want to highlight the visit of the below dignitaries from Africa and the good work of this organization:

His Majesty Dada Awiyan Kokpon, Benin; Princess NIARE MAYE ASSANATOU and Dr. Boubacar Diakite, Mali; Bishop Kilem KASSi Daniel, His Majesty Tchiffi Zie Jean Gervais, Ivory Coast; His Majesty Nfonrifoum Mbombo Njoya Mouhamed Nabil, His Royal Highness Sonkwe Djiotsa Adrien, His Majesty Soukoudjou Jean Rameaux, His Majesty Tchoua Kemajou Vincent, His Majesty Tanefo Jean Marie, His Majesty Njitack Ngompe Pele, His Majesty Tchio Maurice, His Majesty Toto Bekombo Theodore, His Majesty Essoa Etoga Gabriel Sylvain, His Majesty Mbassi Bessala Prospert Parfait, His Majesty Elong Kotto Pierre Patrick, His Majesty Molive Molungu Otto, Her Majesty Mama Jean Marie, His Majesty Tsala Ndjomo Guy, His Majesty WEA TOUTOU Jean Jacques; His Majesty Roger II NKAMADJOU; His Majesty ONDIGUI ONANA Theodore; His Majesty DISSAKE MOUANGUE Alain Camille; His Majesty YONKEU Jean; His Majesty TATABONG Alexander; His Majesty Lamido Yacouba Mohamadou Mourtalla; His Majesty Soumbou Angoula, His Majesty Ndong Tchombe William, His Majesty Djarnou Tchantchouang Annick Juliio, His Majesty SIKAM HAPPI V Sylvester, His Majesty Ibrahim El Rachidine, His Majesty Bakari Yerima Bouba Alioum, His Majesty Etundi Atanga Firmin Jean Benoit, His Majesty Effa Rene Desire, His Majesty Fon Jou Wilson, Her Majesty Asaba Fontem, His Majesty Ntsek Serge, Prince Theophile Tatsitsa Gha, Cameroon; S.M. TEINGNI DETIO Jean-From Bamboutos, His Majesty Dean Marie Mama Center Region. Hon Tchagna Jacqueline Reve Angeline, from Bazou, Nde, Cameroon, Hon Toukam Sandjio Tela Angele, from Mifi, Bafoussam, Cameroon, Hon Kan Souhaing Colette, from Koungki, Bandjoun, Cameroon, Hon Ayissi Sings from Monateli, Lekie, Cameroon; Eteme bijou Ursule epse Arroye From Kon Yambeta, Ndjornou epse Bendobal Claire from Nitoukoue, Ngono Essomba Eliane Virginie from Akono, Eric Niat From Nde, Marie Angel Metenga from President of African Mayor Center Region, Zimthern in Bodio Marthe felecite from Bafia, Feuh Mbeugon, and Ngambou Vincent from Douala.

Mr. Chair, I want to commend the members of the House Committee on Appropriations, specifically the members of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veteran Affairs, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations bill for including robust funding for Major Projects Construction.

This funding for the construction, alteration, extension, and improvement of any facilities within the jurisdiction or use of the Department of Veteran Affairs will help all VA hospitals expand access to health care to veterans. For example, the Lake Nona VA Medical Center located in my district has grown substantially since established in 2006. The Lake Nona VA Medical Center serves more than 110,000 veterans in Central Florida and includes a 120-bed Community Living Center, two Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs/Domiciliaries, located at both Lake Nona Campus and the Lake Baldwin Campus, one Health Care Center in Viera, two large multi- specialty Satellite Outpatient Clinics in Orlando and Daytona Beach, and four Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Clermont, Kissimmee, Orange City, and Tavares.

A facility expansion of the Lake Nona VA Medical Center would add at least additional twenty beds for inpatient mental health care and three additional floors for intensive and surgical rehabilitation. I am proud of the healthcare provided by Lake Nona VA Medical Center to veterans in the Central Florida. I believe Congress should continue to provide the resources necessary to allow for expansion and improvement of facilities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veteran Affairs and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to support this goal.

Madam Speaker, Blue Star (she/her) is an Atlanta native and retired professional ballet dancer that has been curating art in Orlando for over two decades. A creator, business owner, and philanthropist, Blue has helped change the fabric of the Orlando community and creates safe spaces for the LGBTQIA community and their allies. She is the founder of her own 501(c)(3) cancer organization-- The Barber Fund--and the owner of BlueLaLa Events Entertainment and Consulting. She is also a former entertainment and board member of Come Out With Pride and Ivanhoe Village. She is currently on the steering committee for Equality Florida, the bidding committee for World Pride Orlando 2026, and the curator of United We Dance--an official week of remembrance event for the One Pulse Foundation.

Blue is an honoree of thc Harvey Milk Trailblazer Award, Orlando Magazines Woman of the Year, and 50 Most Powerful. She was recognized by the One Pulse Foundation for her heroic efforts after the Pulse tragedy and sainted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Her artistic recognitions include best performance, favorite dancer, and best actress. Her long-standing show ``VarieTEASE'' has been honored by many organizations for show creation, choreography, and costuming. She is also a City of Orlando honoree of the DTO Golden Brick Award and Business of the Year.

She continues to fight for human rights, create art, make music, and, of course, dance, sing, and act. She does this because art is a tool that can heal a community because we must ``KEEP DANCING, ORLANDO,'' we must keep fighting, and we must ``DO SOMETHING.''

Madam Speaker, Ryan Anthony Beck was born with his sister on August 30, 1991, in Buffalo, New York. His parents are Michael Wayne Beck and Christina Marie Beck. They lived in Buffalo, New York, until he and his sister were 6 years old and then moved to Orlando, Florida. Ryan has always had a passion for standing up for what he believes in.

He first started volunteering with the Central Florida Human Rights Campaign in 2011, one year after graduating from high school, and joined their steering committee a few years later. Diana Iwanski was the first person to ask Ryan if he could be a part of the social media team at HRC Orlando because he is very vocal on social media. Ryan still remembers that first event like it was yesterday--he had a lot of fun picking up trash for the event and it was the first real time he was around a lot of LGBTQ+ folks. Though it is hard for

Ryan to believe that it has been 11 years since he first began working with HRC Orlando, he remains as passionate as ever for equality for all.

Diana Iwanski used to say, ``Thank you for signing up and showing up'' when he would volunteer for an event, and Ryan thinks that is extremely important--getting out into your community and getting involved. Whether working with a community organization or getting out there and protesting, doing something worthwhile in your community is extremely important, especially in this political climate.

Madam Speaker, Renee Bishop is 43 years old and shares her life with an amazing woman, Rebecca, and daughters Sutton and Piper. She has had the honor of serving and protecting the community and citizens of Orlando for 22 years. As a firefighter/engineer for the Orlando Fire Department, Renee has seen the city go through wonderful changes.

Growing up as the oldest of four with two brothers and a sister, all siblings were very familiar with the fire department as her father worked for the Orlando Fire Department for 30 years and one of her brothers chose this career as well.

Renee and her father were the first father/daughter combo hired at Orlando and a couple of years later, she and her brother were the first brother/sister combo for Orlando. Being a native of Orlando and being a gay female, she has watched the city grow and come to have one of the biggest LBGTQ communities around. Renee is grateful for the political leaders the city has and the dedication they give. Creating opportunities without prejudice has helped the city come so far and she believes it is an amazing transition to watch. The ongoing research and desire to make the community safe and accepting for all people is what Renee and Rebecca love about raising their girls in Orlando.

She feels forever fortunate to not only live in Orlando and the state of Florida but to also serve her community and be there to help when needed the most. First responders are often on the front line when tragedy strikes, and Renee has witnessed various organizations within the community rally together and stand as one when evil strikes. Orlando bas such a diverse population and a multitude of different belief structures, but when it is time to stand together, they do it on a scale that is second to none. Renee believes this is because of the leaders.

Madam Speaker, Pastor Jose Nieves is a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, and earned his master's degree in divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.

He is ordained as a full elder in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. For over 10 years, he has been at the service of the Kissimmee area at Casa de Paz UMC and First Kissimmee UMC. Pastor Jose has been named Volunteer of the Year by the Osceola School District for his services to local schools, including the All Pro Dad and iMOM programs.

He continues to find new ways to strengthen the community. Pastor Jose is married to Libby and has three handsome boys: Ely, Lucas, and Daniel. During his time off, Jose enjoys everything basketball related, including coaching and rooting for the Orlando Magic. Go Magic.

Madam Speaker, Lieutenant Erika Castellucci is a true Floridian having been raised in South Florida. She graduated from Florida State University and worked as a senior legal assistant for the capital appeals division of the Florida Attorney General's Office. After a few years, she found a passion to take a more proactive approach and put herself through the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy. While in the academy, she was recruited to join the Kissimmee Police Department, where she has risen to the rank of lieutenant after 16 years of service.

Lieutenant Castellucci proudly identifies as a lesbian and has been a member of the LGBTQ community for as long as she can remember. As part of her community outreach, she collaborated with The Center in Kissimmee as soon as it opened. Lieutenant Castellucci has been used as a member of the Kissimmee Police Department to highlight the progressive stance the City of Kissimmee takes for all LGBTQ members. She also served on the board for GOAL CFL for 2 years.

During her 16 years at the Kissimmee Police Department, Lieutenant Castellucci has never ignored opportunities to help other LGBTQ members in need. Having her own coming out story from growing up helped drive her motivation to assist anyone struggling to make sure they knew the resources available to them and at times just be an ear to listen to their own struggles. One of her proudest moments was having the opportunity to march in the 2021 Orlando Pride parade hand in hand with her fiance as people showered all law enforcement with support. In those moments, it shows that we are all human with our own stories to be proud of.