Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, Dr. Vincent M. Miller II currently serves as a Secondary Math Teacher at Winter Haven High School and was the first black male Math Teacher named as Polk County Teacher of The Year. Dr. Miller is a newly published author with one of the top-selling books on Amazon, ``21st Century Education In The Lens Of Covid-19.'' As an accomplished, visionary leader in the academic sector with 10 years in the Polk County School system, he has had many roles in administration but found his love back in the classroom. Some of his most notable accomplishments in education include decreasing academic suspension rates by over 50 percent and establishing a variety of innovative academic programs to attract and retain students, energize academic offerings, and enhance career and professional development outcomes for students.

He holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Lynn University, a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science, with a music minor in vocal performance from University of South Florida. Dr. Miller is known for his community work, through his nonprofit Filling The Lane. Filling The Lane's mission is to bridge the gaps between education, sports, `arts,' and community for at-risk youth. He is also known for performing locally and internationally in such shows as Porgy & Bess and Broadway production KaTonga.

Madam Speaker, you are in luck. I heard a lot of complaints but no solutions. That is why my colleagues across the aisle lost the 2020 election miserably.

We know what they are against. President Biden said it best. What are the Republicans for? What are they for?

Some of them joined us in some of the bills I am about to outline. The rest of them, it has been nothing.

Meanwhile, Democrats delivered the American Rescue Plan, shots in arms, and money in pockets, and we stopped another Great Recession. Can you imagine how we would be able to respond to delta or omicron without passing future relief?

Now, unemployment is below 4 percent. We created nearly 7 million jobs last year. In my district, we were devastated by the Great Recession. Foreclosures devastated central Florida. In 2021, this time around, foreclosures are down from 2020.

Americans in central Florida lost their homes last time around. This time around, we put a stop to it.

House Republicans voted no, yet Republican Governors took the American Rescue Plan money and responded to our Nation's crisis. That is what we should all be doing.

Next, we go to the bipartisan infrastructure framework. There is huge support among all Americans to upgrade America, our roads and bridges, our ports and airports, our clean water, clean and resilient energy, rural broadband. I have urban, suburban, and rural areas in the district. Everyone in my district, regardless of their party background, is excited about this infrastructure. We have had meetings with local officials across the area, and they are looking to work with us to upgrade America.

According to Republican Senator Rob Portman, it helps fix supply chains and is counterinflationary. That is why 22 Senators from the Republican side voted yes and why 10 Republicans colleagues here in the House voted yes.

We applaud these 32 Republicans for joining all Democrats in voting for the infrastructure bill. What did the radical House Republicans do? They attacked their own over infrastructure. What a sad, sad legacy that is.

It didn't stop a few of them from trying to take credit, though, trying to take credit for projects, despite voting no. If you vote no and you try to take credit now, the message is clear. America will shame you every day, every time.

Now, we turn to the America COMPETES Act. Madam Speaker, 32 Republicans joined with Democrats to vote for the Senate's version of this, boosting domestic microchip manufacturing, which we do in our district, and I am going to go into that a little more in a moment; improving supply chains for medical supplies like PPE, like vaccines, telecom, solar, all these critical issues; and, yes, enabling us to compete against economic rivals like China, like Russia, and others who don't share our values.

In the Senate, the vast majority of them are able to come together. In the House, I hope we are. I hope we have a few of our colleagues.

Then, there is going to be a conference. We are going to conference this, make some deals between the House and the Senate, and we are going to get something together. That bill is going to come back.

That is going to be the last shot, the last shot for both Democrats and Republicans to come together to ensure we produce millions of new jobs in domestic manufacturing.

Madam Speaker, I want to commend the America COMPETES Act for including $52 billion to incentivize private-sector investments and continued American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and microchip manufacturing to help address supply chain disruptions and to ensure more microchips are produced here at home.

I have heard from my local auto dealers. I have heard from local manufacturers. We need to make these microchips at home, and this bill helps us do that.

Within our district in central Florida, we have the NeoCity technological campus, which is recognized as an emerging microchips, microelectronics, and advanced manufacturing hub. We have ready-made synergies with institutions of higher education across Florida and key partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Commerce under both the Trump administration and now under the Biden administration.

NeoCity is home to BRIDG, a nonprofit public-private partnership specializing in domestic semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing.

Imec, a world-renowned international research and development organization active in the semiconductor design and architecture space, also has a presence there.

SUSS MicroTec, a leading supplier of equipment and process solutions for the semiconductor industry, is working at NeoCity.

Then there is SkyWater Technology, the only domestically owned and operated pure play trusted foundry that

works on leading-edge advanced packaging technology for microchips and microelectronics. They are all working in collaboration at the Center for Neovation at NeoCity, one of the most state-of-the-art, advanced manufacturing facilities in the Western Hemisphere.

As envisioned by this important legislation, the facility and experts at BRIDG, imec, SUSS MicroTec, and SkyWater Technology offer immediate capability to accelerate U.S. production of critical semiconductor chips, strengthen the domestic supply chain so chips are made right here in America, and turbocharge our research capacity.

Equally as important, 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 our 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 America COMPETES Act and the CHIPS for America fund.

In this bill, we were able to get an amendment to clarify that chips funding also includes nonprofits in places like NeoCity. We appreciate the House for supporting this, adding nonprofits to the definition of ``covered entities'' to expand the semiconductor incentive program to include nonprofit entities, clarifying that nonprofit entities like 501(c)(3) facilities in NeoCity are also eligible for funding under the semiconductor incentive program.

We are helping with aerospace there. We are starting to work with commercial space like NASA and SpaceX and Blue Origin.

The bill also includes my second amendment. We know that we are boosting forward on artificial intelligence. We need to make sure, as we are doing that and seeing more autonomous vehicles and other artificial intelligence uses, we are training our labor force ahead of time for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

That is why I am proud that the AI JOBS Act passed as an amendment and directs the Department of Labor to create a report analyzing the future of our artificial intelligence and its impacts on the American workforce.

Specifically, the report would collect data to analyze which industries are projected to have the most growth through artificial intelligence and the demographics which may experience expanded career opportunities and those most vulnerable to job displacement. This is an inclusion of our standalone bill, H.R. 6553, the AI JOBS Act.

Thirdly, we were able to include an amendment for the blockchain and cryptocurrency specialists within the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy is required to establish a blockchain and cryptocurrency 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 capable of advising the President and others within the Executive Office on these issues of growing national importance.

Madam Speaker, there is more because we have the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, which passed through our Committee on Natural Resources to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act, the CRCA, which expired nearly 15 years ago. It maintains the NOAA coral reef program while also introducing overdue improvements to coral management and restoration efforts and giving new, innovative tools to States, territories, Tribes, communities, and universities, partners who are closest to this crisis.

We know that the Great Florida Reef is in danger, and we are doing everything we can to restore it. This is critical to our recreation, to clean water, to protect habitat, and to tourism.

A few of the provisions included in the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, a bipartisan bill that passed unanimously out of the Natural Resources Committee, include a 5-year authorization, with the explicit focus on restoration activities where natural disasters and human activities have degraded reef ecosystems. This program is currently funded at $33 million for 2021, but without further direction from Congress.

It creates a block grant program where States and territories can receive Federal matching funds for the prior year's coral expenditures provided they have an action plan in place, so we are getting action plans in place which will incentivize, increase State and local investment in coral reef management capacity.

We are also helping intergovernmental partnerships that are key for water infrastructure upgrades, pollution mitigation efforts, and regrowing reefs. It allows for the formation of public-private partnerships for coral management called Coral Reef Stewardship Partnerships. Public-private partnerships are critical for sharing research.

It also authorizes the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to ensure States, territories, and other stakeholders continue to have a voice in U.S. coral reef management. Public feedback is essential.

It establishes a single streamlined set of guidelines for action plans to implement the national strategy, with maximum flexibility given to State and local authorities. These action plans will focus restoration efforts more effectively. They also allow for emergency grants and emergency funds for coral disasters. This is critical for hurricane-prone areas like Florida and will assist with hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, as well as oil spills, and other major pollution events.

We thank all House Members who supported this for its inclusion, along with these technological amendments, these coral reef provisions in this essential piece of legislation that allows us to compete in the 21st century.

It is in the name, Madam Speaker, and together we are going to get this done.

Honoring Dr. Faye Bellamy

Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Dr. Faye Bellamy. Dr. Faye Bellamy is a retired educator. She worked full time in the Polk and Hillsborough County school districts. Presently she works part time as a professor at Polk State College.

In addition to her experience teaching various subjects, she has countless hours organizing and implementing dropout prevention programs, training teachers, and working to improve our local schools.

Dr. Bellamy has a bachelor's degree in social science education, a master's degree in education administration, a specialist degree in administration and supervision, and a doctorate in educational leadership and higher education. She has used the knowledge gained from her research and studies to help students obtain academic excellence.

She has worked many years with civil rights organizations to improve the school system for Black people. Her focus has been on changing unfair disciplinary practices, seeking solutions to low academic performance and low test scores, as well as the lack of diversity in hiring practices.

Dr. Bellamy is the founder and director of Chain of Lakes Achievers, a community tutorial program. COLA was designed to assist the schools in improving students' grades and test scores.

Dr. Bellamy has worked in partnership with government officials at all levels to improve Black neighborhoods. She has been instrumental in bringing about changes that include installing sidewalks and speed bumps, creating recreational programs, increasing sewer connections, decreasing criminal activities, upgrading housing, replacing houses, constructing a restoration park, assisting businesses, and more.

She has contributed to the community by providing housing and employment as an entrepreneur. Dr. Bellamy has also served as a housing commissioner. She is presently affiliated with the Hurst Chapel AME, FAMU alumni, NAACP, and the Concerned Citizens of Polk County.

Dr. Bellamy has received recognition from the National Coalition of 100

Black Women, Polk County Chapter, Inc., the NAACP, COLA, Chain of Lakes Achievers, and Jewett High School Alumni Association, Inc. She also received the key to the city of Winter Haven, Florida.

For this and more, Dr. Faye Bellamy, we honor you.

Honoring Dr. Eugenia Agard

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Dr. Eugenia Agard. Dr. Agard's values have a direct impact on influencing her desire to assist communities in crisis. Therefore, it is imperative that she provide services to aid in alleviating debilitating conditions.

Dr. Agard established and operates a private practice, HUGS. Her treatment model is to treat the whole person. Dr. Agard's areas of specialty are treating patients suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and physical health issues co-occurring with depression.

Dr. Agard is a very passionate speaker and a facilitator of education health forums and workshops to promote healthy living from the inside out. Dr. Agard continuously hosts health forums free of charge for the community and schools to prevent barriers to healthcare, from providing topics focused on the prevention of hypertension, diabetes, STDs, obesity, breast cancer, bullying, and more.

Dr. Agard works diligently to abate the stigma of mental health. Dr. Agard educates the community on signs and symptoms of mental health treatment and support options. Dr. Agard has always been on the front line to provide crisis counseling services during both regional crises and world crises.

During the Pulse nightclub shooting, she provided free and confidential counseling to many of the victims and organized healing forums in Osceola County for everyone impacted by this act of terrorism.

Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Agard immediately offered counseling services to frontline workers, creating solutions for self care, prevention of burnout, and anxiety and depression reduction techniques.

For the general public, Dr. Agard immediately created a free community outreach forum, HUGS Healing Hour, via Zoom for individuals and organizations to restore the sense of community amongst the isolation and depression. She provided therapeutic coping skills to combat depression and anxiety and assisted children being home schooled.

Dr. Agard continues to educate the community on COVID-19, creating forums on support, exploring fiction versus fact, and problem-solving vaccination hesitancy.

Dr. Agard serves in leadership roles on many community agencies, boards, and organizations. She serves as health chair and health director of a nonprofit where she provides medical supplies to poor areas to prevent the loss of life.

For this and more, Dr. Eugenia Agard, we honor you.

Honoring Kimberly Saunders

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Kimberly Saunders. Kimberly Saunders is in her fourth year serving as president of the Central Florida chapter of the National Black MBA Association, Inc., a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to lead in the creation of educational, wealth building, and growth opportunities for those historically underrepresented through their careers as students, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

Since 2015, she has served in various volunteer capacities, such as partnerships chair, vice president of operations, and a continuing role as a mentor for the Leaders of Tomorrow program, which serves high school students in the areas of leadership, college and career preparation, financial literacy, and life skills.

She has been instrumental in developing corporate partnerships, securing grants, fund-raising, and facilitating programs to provide the organization with resources to serve its members and community through the central Florida region.

Her dedication and service to the organization and its mission were recognized in 2021, as she was one of two awardees for Chapter President of the Year by the national organization, which currently has 41 chapters nationwide.

Professionally, Kimberly has spent the last 11 years in the financial services industry. She is a managing partner for VestWyze, LLC, a State of Florida registered investment advisory company. In her role as an investment adviser and certified financial planner professional, she serves her clients' best interests by providing sound and knowledgeable advice.

Kimberly also serves as a board member for the Goldsboro Front Porch Council, a Florida-designated community. She is also a member of the local chapter of the National Alumni Association for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, otherwise known as FAMU, where she earned her bachelor of science in management and master of business administration.

At the core of Kimberly's heart are her faith and family. She hopes to continue to positively impact lives personally and professional.

For this and more, Kimberly Saunders, we honor you.

Honoring Melody Taylor

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Melody Taylor. Melody Taylor is a board-certified registered nurse with years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has earned a master of science in nursing leadership and management. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing. Melody serves as a nurse leader at Orlando Health.

Ms. Taylor is recognized as a dedicated community and nurse advocate, having led many initiatives empowering low-income families to succeed and advancing the field of nursing. From 2007 to 2014, she engaged with the city of Orlando Office of Community Affairs to improve social determinants of health in at-risk populations. During that time, she became a volunteer on the citizens' review panel for the city of Orlando. Her leadership was the key driver in mobilizing low-income families to mainstream society along with the collaborations of nonprofit, faith-based, business, and governmental entities.

Ms. Taylor is a founding member and president of Black Nurses Rock Orlando. She is also a board member of the Black Nurses Rock Foundation, where she has served as the director of chapter development for 23 chapters across the United States. Ms. Taylor was recognized as the Black Nurses Rock Foundation Leader of the Year in 2018.

Community advocacy has always been a priority for Melody. She will continue to empower and inspire innovative leaders to advance in the field of nursing and promote preventative health to decrease healthcare disparities in vulnerable communities.

Melody is the middle child of five children and the mother to a handsome son named John and a beautiful daughter named Katia. She has six beautiful grandchildren: Drevion, Keonte, Sincere, Harmonie, Jayla, and Jaliyah.

Melody will continue her volunteer service to build a better community for the citizens living in central Florida and advance the field of nursing across the globe.

For this and more, Melody Taylor, we honor you.

Honoring Carol Bradley

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Officer Carol Bradley. Officer Carol Bradley has proudly served and protected the citizens of Winter Haven, Florida, for 30 years.

Officer Bradley served in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 1983. In 1986, she decided to follow her dreams and began her journey in law enforcement. From 1986 to 1991, she worked as a corrections officer at Polk Correctional Institution.

After working with PCI for 5 years, she decided to take her dream a step further and began her career with the Winter Haven Police Department as the first African American female community service officer for the city of Winter Haven.

Officer Bradley immensely enjoys serving as a good will ambassador for the city of Winter Haven and bridging the gap between the city police and the citizens in the community. In 1993 she transitioned from a civilian position to a sworn officer position.

She was promoted to patrol officer II in October of 1997. She then was awarded the chief accommodation for outstanding service to her community in January of 2001.

She enjoys serving her community through her church activities. She also

received the Optimist Club award for her distinguished services.

She received several letters of accommodation from the community in 2009. In addition, she received the bureau accommodation for the protection of residential property in February of 2010.

Officer Bradley received the Circle of Love award for the Ridge Career Center for contributions to single mothers and the homeless.

She was promoted to master officer in May of 2017.

Mentoring the youth in the Orrin Circle community was a rewarding experience as well.

Making history once again in 1998, Officer Bradley became the first HUD and homeless coalition officer for the city of Winter Haven. Implementing that homeless program as an officer was also very rewarding for her.

From 2006 to 2018, Officer Bradley worked in Winter Haven's public schools as a school resource officer. She also worked with two other officers in the DARE program within the elementary schools.

Officer Bradley ended her career as a law enforcement officer with Winter Haven on December 27, 2021, yielding a total amount of 35 years as a law enforcement officer.

Officer Bradley is married to her spouse, Terry Bradley. They have two daughters, one son, and two granddaughters.

For this and more, Officer Carol Bradley, we honor you.

Honoring Reginald Hardee

Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Reginald Hardee.

Reginald Hardee is the information technology leader for Florida's Turnpike Enterprise and has more than 22 years of State government experience with a focus on strategic planning, budgeting, building, and leading support and development teams in a public-sector setting.

Reginald earned the Ben G. Watts Leader of the Year for the authority in 2020. Reginald currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the Osceola County Council on Aging, the Osceola Historical Society, and a member of the City of Kissimmee Fire Pension Board.

Reginald also serves the community as a member and officer of Bethel AME Church, NAACP, Kissimmee Masonic Lodge 68, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Reginald has served for 10 years as a member of the board of directors for the Kissimmee Utility Authority and was elected to serve as KUA chairman in 2013, a role he served for 4 years. He was the first African American to serve on the KUA board.

The Kissimmee Utility Authority board of directors established an electrical line worker scholarship in the name of Reginald Hardee and rededicated its employee events building as the Reginald Hardee Employee Pavilion, honoring his decade of service. Reginald was also recognized by the Kissimmee City Commission with a proclamation.

Reginald received the Distinguished Leadership and Service Award from Osceola Visionaries for positively impacting the community in the spirit of the teachings and example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reginald is also a recipient of the American Public Power Association Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award.

Hardee is a native of Kissimmee, born to a midwife on Kissimmee's Lake Street. Reginald is a veteran of the Army Reserves, a University of Florida alumnus, and a graduate of Florida State University's public manager program.

For this and more, Mr. Reginald Hardee, we honor you.

Honoring Tanisha Nunn Gary

Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Tanisha Nunn Gary.

A consummate business professional and accomplished attorney, Tanisha Nunn Gary is the president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, a leading advocate for business development and economic empowerment.

As head of the established nonprofit, Tanisha is responsible for cultivating strong relationships with key community leaders and corporate entities to enhance opportunities for members and engage partners on initiatives.

Tanisha oversees all outreach efforts for the chamber, which encompasses six counties, and she executes strategic planning to ensure the chamber's voice is included in economic, education, and community conversations that impact the region.

The AACCCF boasts a varied membership and revolves around four pillars: advocacy, access to capital, contracts, and entrepreneur training and development. As a former business owner, Tanisha is intimately familiar with what it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur and is uniquely qualified to lead the AACCCF into its next chapter of growth.

Prior to being named president of the AACCCF, she was the principal of a private law firm focused on all aspects of litigation for wrongful death cases and medical negligence. Her solo practice and early work as a senior associate for Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary landed multimillion-dollar settlements.

In addition to her legal prowess, Tanisha served as the executive director of The Gary Foundation, where she identified major donor prospects to help provide scholarships to Florida youth.

Tanisha is an active member of several civic and professional associations, including the Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative, Truist Advisory Board, Orlando Economic Partnership Board, United Arts Board, and Florida Association of Chamber Professionals.

In 2021, Tanisha was named as one of the Orlando Business Journal's CEOs of the Year and 50 Central Florida Power Players. Additionally, the Orlando Magic recognized Tanisha as a hometown hero and a social justice game changer.

Tanisha is also a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., the Orlando chapter of The Links, Inc., and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

A graduate of Spelman College and the Quinnipiac University School of Law, Tanisha enjoys traveling, reading, baking, and spending time with her son.

For this and more, Tanisha Nunn Gary, we honor you.

Honoring Tony Jenkins

Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Tony Jenkins.

Tony Jenkins is the Florida Blue market president for the central Florida region, where he provides strategic oversight and leads a team in developing business plans to increase and retain membership, enhance brand visibility, and coordinate employee engagement.

Tony was instrumental in establishing Florida Blue's diversity efforts in 2001. Prior to joining Florida Blue, Jenkins served as the director of diversity for CSX Corporation, the largest rail network in the Eastern United States. He also spent 18 years with the Walt Disney World Company in various leadership roles, specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Under Tony's leadership in central Florida, Florida Blue has been recognized as a Best Place to Work, an outstanding diverse corporation, and a corporate philanthropy honoree.

Tony is an advocate for several causes throughout the Orlando community. He is the past chair for United Arts of Central Florida and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Tony currently serves on the board of Florida Citrus Sports and is a board trustee at Stetson University.

Tony is chair-elect for the Orlando Economic Partnership board, where he also serves as chair for their DEI task force, engaging Orlando's business leaders across varied industries.

Tony has been recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as one of central Florida's Top 10 Businessmen to Watch and CEO of the Year. Most recently, Tony received the publication's Diversity in Business Lifetime Achievement Award. Tony is also an I-4 Business Magazine Business Leader of the Year award recipient.

Tony holds a bachelor of arts in hospitality management from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia.

For this and more, Tony Jenkins, we honor you.

Honoring Marecia Jefferson-Lias

Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Marecia Jefferson-Lias.

Hailing from the great city of Quincy, Florida, Marecia Jefferson- Lias is the daughter of Wilbert Sr. and Janie Jefferson.

Her father's successful fruit contracting business brought the family to Polk County, Florida, where Marecia embarked on an amazing journey of academic excellence. After graduating from Effingham County High School in Savannah, Georgia, Marecia returned to Florida and enrolled in Polk Community College, now Polk State College.

Marecia received an associate's degree in liberal arts. Marecia then matriculated to the all-mighty Bethune Cookman College, now Bethune Cookman University, receiving a bachelor's degree in education.

If the phrase ``can't stop, won't stop'' was a person, then Marecia would be the titleholder of that mantra. Marecia continued her studies at the University of South Florida, receiving a master of education in organizational leadership.

Marecia took her educational talent to the Polk County School Board, where she spent 16 years as a certified educator, holding various positions such as elementary teacher, reading coach, medical academy director, and health science clinical nurse and instructor.

Marecia's gift of being an educator and a nurturer allowed her to receive her bachelor's degree in nursing from Polk State College. Marecia went to Florida Southern College and obtained her master's degree in nursing, specializing as a family nurse practitioner. Marecia is currently matriculating her doctorate at the same college, with a projected completion date of 2023.

Mrs. Jefferson-Lias truly lives by the words ``divinely speaking life one breath at a time.'' Not only has Marecia achieved everything that she has set her mind to possess, but she is also the epitome of a leader, advocate, nurturer, and mentor. Her compassion for people and helping others stems from a generational line of educators and nurses, including a great-grandmother who was a nurse-midwife.

The same dedication Marecia carries as a nurse and community leader allowed her to recognize the need for more nurses and nursing assistants. Marecia started a company that offers training and prep courses for nurses during the pandemic since that void needs to be filled in her community. Marecia currently is the owner of Divine Essential Medical Academy, LLC, as well as other business ventures.

Marecia is a blessed wife, mother, and godmother. Marecia is an inspiration to her family, friends, and community.

For that and more, Marecia Jefferson-Lias, we honor you.

Honoring Valparisa J. Baker

Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Valparisa J. Baker.

Valparisa J. Baker, a native Floridian, most recently served as the chief diversity officer at Polk State College. Prior to her recent retirement, Ms. Baker was employed with the college since 1988, where she held multiple positions of advancement.

Ms. Baker has a master's degree in higher education from the National-Louis University, a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida, and an associate's degree from Polk State College.

Ms. Baker has a strong commitment to her church, the New Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as an active first lady. Ms. Baker serves as the chairperson for the education scholarship ministry, adviser for the women intermediate ministry, pastor's aide ministry, and media ministry.

Ms. Baker is the newly appointed vice president for the ministers' wives and ministers' widows of the First South Florida Missionary Baptist District Association.

Ms. Baker has received numerous citations and awards from area organizations. Most recently, she received the 2021 Drum Major for Justice Award presented by the Haines City NAACP, was the 2021 Juneteenth honoree for the Juneteenth Observance Lakeland Committee, as well as the 2018 Distinguished Citizen for the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Boy Scouts of America.

Ms. Baker is a graduate of the National Council of Black American Affairs Leadership Program, Florida Chancellor's Leadership Program, Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership, Winter Haven Class XX, and Polk Vision Leadership Polk Class v. Ms. Baker is very active in civic groups and serves on numerous boards, including the Florence Villa Community Development Center, Polk Vision LIFT Mentor Leadership Council, and the City of Winter Haven Juneteenth Steering Committee.

Ms. Baker has a strong passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Through Ms. Baker's community involvement, she continues her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion for all.

Ms. Baker enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She and her husband of 34 years, Reverend Derrick L. Baker, have two children, Stephen and Marquitta, and two grandsons, Gavin and Malachi.

For this and more, Ms. Valparisa J. Baker, we honor you.

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

Madam Speaker, Doug Head was born in Midland, Michigan. He earned a degree in economics at Lawrence University in Wisconsin but spent over a year studying at the University of Singapore. He served in the Peace Corps in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay before becoming a Central Florida resident in the early 1980s. Doug became the Executive Director of an organization that lobbied on behalf of AIDS patients, which he received recognition for in Forbes magazine calling him one of the ten most powerful voices in the insurance industry.

In the late 1980s, Doug became interested in politics and ran his first campaign in 1986. He also volunteered for the local Democratic party and worked to modernize their computer database. Soon after, Orange County's party registration flipped from a majority of Republican voters to a majority of Democratic voters. Doug served as Orange County Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) Chair from 1992 to 2004 and as the Orange County DEC's State Committeeman from 2016 to 2020.

As Chair, Doug encouraged interest groups to form clubs within the party. The first of which was the Orange County Rainbow Democratic Club, which was created in 1993 to promote the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community. He also hosted a monthly social event, called ``First Friday,'' which became a gathering place for likeminded Democrats in Central Florida who attended the event to network and strategize about campaigns and registering Democrats.

Doug later became the chair of County Watch, a local watchdog group, that pushed for transparency and accountability in county government and agencies. He also worked with local non-profit organizations to empower minority committees. Doug was a mentor to many aspiring political operatives and community leaders. His wealth of knowledge was widely recognized and respected among political leaders across Florida.

He made several TV appearances, including the Daily Buzz and Central Florida news affiliates for FOX (WOFL) and ABC (WFTV), as well as being quoted in journals and newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Underwriter and Chicago Tribune, among others.

Doug Head passed away on the evening of November 13, 2021, in Orlando and is survived by his sisters, Meredy Jenkins and Barbara Cornelius, and his brother-in-law, Dennis Jenkins. His decades of commitment to the Central Florida community and the Democratic Party left a lasting foundation for others to build upon. His wisdom and guidance will be missed by many.

Madam Speaker, today, we honor Ms. Shasta Shaffer, the director of constituent services for Florida's 9th Congressional District. Throughout her years of public service, Shasta has gone above and beyond to help Central Floridians in need. As a paralegal for the law office of Darren M. Soto during his tenure in the Florida Legislature, she worked tirelessly to help clients navigate their legal matters. Once Congressman Soto was elected to the House of Representatives, Shasta embarked on the journey to Congress. It was quickly discovered that public service came naturally to Shasta, and she was promoted to lead the constituent services department during the 115th Congress.

After Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, tens of thousands of families were forced to flee and sought refuge in Florida's 9th Congressional District. Without hesitation, Shasta worked with local stakeholders to provide shelter, food, and stability for those in need.

As the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran, Shasta worked especially hard to help veterans and young people applying to the five military academies. For five years, Shasta led the efforts for Florida's 9th Congressional District's Service Academy nominations and took great pride in selecting members for the military advisory board. Several students have been admitted under her tenure.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was instrumental in helping constituents, within and outside of the district, with unemployment and IRS issues. Because of her efforts, thousands of families received much-needed relief during a historically tumultuous time.

For this and more, we honor Ms. Shasta Shaffer.

Madam Speaker, as a community organizer, Stephanie Porta served Central Florida for the past 18 years working to support low- income communities in their fight for equity. Through various strategies including

community organizing, ballot initiatives, local and statewide legislative campaigns, and corporate campaigns, Stephanie has been committed to ensuring low-income communities have the power to decide their own destinies. Ms. Porta has worked on successful campaigns for candidates and issues-including environmental justice, community safety, community development, health care, public education and more.

Stephanie served as the Florida Director of ACORN where she organized communities across the State. She successfully led the effort to raise Florida's minimum wage, pass police accountability reforms, as well as advocate for foreclosure prevention programs and affordable utilities.

She later co-founded Organize Florida, a nonprofit member organization of low- to moderate-income people. She led efforts to expand Medicaid, pass paid sick days, gun control, and clean energy legislation. In 2016 and 2018, she supported outreach efforts to more than four million voters across Florida.

Stephanie has been recognized by the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Weekly and Orlando Magazine for leadership on government transparency and issues facing the working poor.

Madam Speaker, Seminoles have called Florida home for thousands of years. Their ancestors met the Spanish when they touched down on Florida's shores in 1510 and created a refuge for those who sought to escape slavery and oppression. In 1830, when President Andrew Jackson broke the treaties he signed with native peoples and ordered those east of the Mississippi River be ``removed'' west, the Seminoles resisted and fought for their freedom alongside their neighbors. They kept their ways and traditions alive in the Everglades of Florida, where they remain free and unconquered to this day.

Facing the threat of the termination of services and Federal assistance in the 1950's the Seminole Tribe of Florida organized to develop a constitution, advanced through meetings under the old Council Oak Tree on the Hollywood Reservation. Federal recognition in 1957 reinforced the inherent sovereignty and necessitated a new form of self-governance for the newly organized Tribe. As more outsiders came to Florida, the Tribe adapted and developed new economic opportunities, including tourism enterprises and cattle operations.

Today, the Tribe counts over 4,000 members. They are a sovereign government, with their own schools, police, and courts. Members continue their traditions of sewing, patchwork, chickee building, and alligator wrestling but the Seminole Tribe also adapted to a changing world. Today, they run one of the largest cattle operations in the United States and own the Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos, an international business with locations in 74 countries.

The Seminole Tribe also gives back to its community and is actively helping to protect the Everglades they call home. The Seminole Tribe has been actively involved in the Everglades restoration effort since its inception and has contributed significant resources to ensure that the overall restoration effort is successful, while protecting its sovereignty and unique way of life. For all this and more, we honor The Seminole Tribe of Florida for National Native American Heritage Month.

Madam Speaker, headline: Democrats deliver for the American people again. Democrats deliver for Central Florida, again. Lowering prescription drug prices and capping costs for seniors. Extending child tax credit payments. Paid family leave and lower childcare costs for Central Florida families.

Providing nearly 1 million Floridians with an expansion of the ACA, boosting affordable housing, immigration reform, the largest effort to combat climate change in history.

And unlike the GOP tax scam that busted the deficit by $400 billion and $4 trillion in debt, we pay for ours with major corporations, and the wealthy paying their fair share.

Madam Speaker, the Republicans are doing nothing but divide. The Democrats are delivering for America.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known, just 90 miles off the coast of our State of Florida is a murderous, socialist dictatorship that is murdering and crushing its people. Let it also be known across this Nation that Democrats and Republicans are coming together today to express solidarity with Cuban citizens demonstrating peacefully for fundamental freedoms and democracy.

We saw it this summer when they took to the streets on the island as well as across our country including in Orlando. I was proud to stand in solidarity. Resolutions expressing support are important, but so is action, which is why, after this is done, we need to pursue other, more substantive policies like: stopping enslavement of Cuban doctors, putting more pressure for internet access on the island; addressing Havana syndrome and the attack on our diplomats, sanctions and U.N. action to stop even some of our own U.N. European allies from continuing to prop up this dictatorship. That will make a big difference.

Madam Speaker, today the House just passed the Senate substitute for our bill, the bipartisan H.R. 164, and it now heads to President Biden's desk. It helps right an injustice.

Historically, land has been held in trust for Tribes by the Federal Government, as is the case for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In modern times, this has become a cumbersome process.

The bill itself was necessary to allow the Seminole Tribe to engage in certain land transactions that were interpreted as necessary by a congressional bill, by the Indian Non-Intercourse Act, so this would allow them to finally engage in those land transactions.

It is critical for the Seminoles and other Tribes to be able to conduct their affairs without having to go to Congress every time. Comprehensive reform is needed in the future, and we appreciate the support in the House today to send this very good bill to President Biden.

Madam Speaker, I would have voted YEA for Roll Call number 338, S. 1511--Protecting America's First Responders Act of 2021, had I been present.

Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Pedro Brull. Pedro was born in 1938 in the town of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. From a young age, his father encouraged him to take lessons in drawing and painting with famous Puerto Rican artist Rafael Rios Rey in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His mentor later recommended Pedro to artist Nina Lelled, who was the former art director for a local Puerto Rican television station. Brull worked for this company for 22 years, working as an apprentice, a TV technician, and later as art director and production manager. During this time, Brull studied commercial art and received a bachelor's degree in fine arts while at a New York City TV station.

Pedro Brull is an award-winning artist and is recognized by many institutions. He even received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his artwork. His artwork is on display in several places including Spain, Africa, Puerto Rico, and numerous art galleries within the United States. Pedro is also the recent creator of ``La Diaspora de Artistas Puertorriquenos.''

Today, he is focusing his efforts on the creation of a Museum for Latino Art and Culture. Five other Hispanic artists have joined Pedro to coordinate this project. In Spain, the Museum of Graphic and Drawing invited Pedro to send three of his drawings to be part of their permanent museum collection where they have been placed for art enthusiasts to enjoy. Pedro is married to Magda Brull and together they have four children: Maria, Jaime, Haydee, and Pablo. Brull was a former evangelical minister for more than 50 years.

For this and more, we honor Pedro Brull.

Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Stephanie Carrizales. Stephanie is a Mexican American patient care tech at Winter Haven Women's Hospital in Central Florida. She has served her community for the past eight years and plans to continue devoting her time to patient care in the future. Stephanie began her career at Winter Haven Women's as a night shift interpreter. She is proud of her Mexican heritage and bilingualism and knew she wanted to do this from a young age. She felt honored to help patients and doctors understand one another, especially for mothers when meeting their newborns.

Stephanie was born and raised in Polk County by her two hardworking and loving Mexican parents. They immigrated to this country as teenagers to find better opportunities for their family. Stephanie believes that her parents' work ethic has kept her motivated to strive toward her goals. She graduated from Bartow High School with high honors and obtained her certified nursing assistant license in the school's medical program. She is a first-generation college graduate with her A.A. degree in liberal arts. Stephanie is proud of her Hispanic culture and is honored to help her community every day.

For this and more, we honor Stephanie Carrizales.

Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Teresa Rodriguez. Teresa is one of the many northern transplants who now call Central Florida home. A native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent, she arrived in Orlando in 2012. After two years of working in the tourism industry, she now works at the University of Central Florida. Her time there has afforded her the opportunity to assist and create outreach efforts for Hispanic and other diverse communities in Orlando.

Having received her bachelor's degree in Spanish from Brooklyn College at the City University of New York, she put her bilingual skills to good use and worked with the City of Orlando's ``Hispanic Office for Local Assistance'' to establish and maintain free English classes. She served as the point of contact, advocate, and administrator for the university-wide Latin American-Caribbean scholarship initiative, the Hurricane Maria Disaster Recovery Program, and the Venezuela Assistance Program at the English Language Institute. She also assisted in running the Hurricane Dorian Disaster Recovery Tuition Assistance Program.

Teresa was a selection committee member and helped process non- resident alien tuition emergency funds assistance via a hardship waiver program. She also helped coordinate efforts between several partners and newly arrived Central Florida non-English speaking community members to help them acquire Florida state licenses. Teresa remains affiliated to and volunteers for the Puerto Rico Research Hub at UCF.

For this and more, we honor Teresa Rodriguez.

Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Olga Aymat. Olga is a recognized news anchor, professional communicator, and master of ceremonies in Central Florida. She was born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, where she began her training in arts and communications. Her work at the forefront of journalism for the past two decades continues with work on television networks such as Univision. She is now one of the main anchors of the stellar news of Telemundo Orlando/NBC Universal.

Olga continues to demonstrate her passion and commitment to the community through special reports touching on human trafficking, drug addiction, bullying in schools, epidemics, and living testimonies, as well as political, educational, and special coverage issues such as the Pulse massacre in Orlando. She received various special awards for her outstanding professional career and was recognized by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer for outstanding community efforts. In an effort of continued growth, she recently reinforced her journalistic career as an international motivational speaker at John Maxwell University.

Olga's true passion lies in being an active community leader and she continues advocating against domestic violence and human trafficking. She is proud to give voice to the voiceless and connect community members with the resources they need.

For this and more, we honor Olga Aymat.

Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Ricky Rodriguez. On his 25th birthday, Ricky learned the story of his birth and was inspired to pursue a career in nursing. From how his mother tells it, Ricky almost didn't make it, but thankfully the doctors, emergency room personnel, and nurses present cleared his airway and successfully intervened, saving his life. This story has left a profound impact, leading Ricky to attain his nursing degree and work to help Floridians receive the best possible healthcare.

Just like the personnel who once intervened for him, Ricky works as an emergency department nurse. He also inspired his younger brother to pursue nursing and the brothers

successfully graduated from the same class 12 years ago, Today, they are both proud to be nursing directors in their respective departments, always eager to lend a helping hand to anyone who might need it and help people live healthier lives.

For this and more, we honor Ricky Rodriguez.