Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Chundra L. Evens, a distinguished educational leader, pastor, and community advocate whose career reflects a deep commitment to excellence, service, and transformative leadership.

After serving five years as the principal of Osceola County School for the Arts, she made history in March 2020 as the first African American appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent in the High School Division of the School District of Osceola County in Kissimmee, Florida. A highly credentialed educator, Dr. Evens is certified in K-12 and holds specialized certifications in Exceptional Student Education, ESOL, Reading, Educational Leadership, and School Principal. Her professional journey is enriched by earlier experience in correctional probation and the performing arts.

She attended Florida A&M University as a member of the Marching 100 and later earned a bachelor's in political science from the University of Central Florida. She completed both her master's and Doctor of Education in educational leadership at National Louis University. Dr. Evens has received numerous prestigious recognitions, including the Harvard University Extension School Strategic Leadership Program and the National Institute for School Leadership Executive Development Program. Her honors include the Florida Department of Education Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award; Secondary Literacy Administrator of the Year; Distinguished Minority Educator of the Year at both St. Cloud Middle and Zenith High; New Beginnings Education Center Teacher of the Year and SAC Distinguished Service Award; Council for Exceptional Children Middle School Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Rookie Teacher of the Year; and the district's Distinguished Minority Runner-Up Educator of the Year. She was also the first principal in the district to achieve Best and Brightest recognition and was named the 2019 Principal of the Year by Osceola Visionaries, Inc.

Guided by her faith and inspired by Nelson Mandela's belief in education as a powerful

tool for change, Dr. Evens actively serves her community as a Girl Scouts troop leader, volunteer with Give Kids the World, member of Tau Beta Sigma, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

A lifelong servant-leader within the church, she was ordained in December 2023 and now serves as senior co-pastor of Trinity Church Sebring Campus alongside her husband of nearly 30 years, Pastor Roderick L. Evens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Justin Cloud, a distinguished community leader, chief engineer, and nonprofit executive whose work has significantly advanced education, workforce development, and youth empowerment across Central Florida.

He currently serves as the executive director and founder of The Cloud Family Foundation, a Florida-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing students for successful careers through academic enrichment, mentorship, and exposure to STEM and professional pathways. Under his leadership, the foundation has launched and expanded several impactful initiatives, including the Level-Up Brother Program, an immersive cohort-based experience designed to equip high school young men with life skills, career readiness training, mentorship, and college exposure. What began as a single-day event in Central Florida has grown into a multi-week program serving students across multiple Florida counties. The foundation also administers annual scholarships, teacher grants, and community-based educational programs that directly support Florida students and educators.

In addition to his philanthropic work, Mr. Cloud serves as a chief engineer, bringing extensive experience supporting advanced technology and national defense programs while remaining deeply committed to community service within Florida. He actively leverages his professional expertise to build bridges between industry, education, and community organizations throughout the state.

Mr. Cloud is also the president of a Florida-based alumni chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., where he has led initiatives focused on scholarship fundraising, civic engagement, and service projects benefiting underserved communities across Florida.

Through his leadership, service, and dedication, Justin E. Cloud continues to make a lasting impact on Florida's communities by empowering the next generation and expanding access to opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Ladara Royal, a proven, zealous leader and an accomplished urban educator, facilitator, and clinician. He is committed to driving transformative, innovative change that advances educators and students of color through equitable public- school policies and practices.

Royal's work centers on urban education, educator activism, and expanding opportunities for underserved and under-resourced students. His impact is evidenced by a consistent record of increasing the number of students from these communities who matriculate into the Nation's most competitive colleges and universities.

A dedicated advocate for educational equity, Royal has demonstrated his leadership and community commitment by speaking before the Florida State Senate and House of Representatives on multiple occasions to champion improvements in public education. Royal also serves as secretary of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association--the official educators' union representing teachers across Orange County, Florida--and as chairman of the OCCTA Fund for Children and Public Education. In these roles, he works tirelessly to support and help advance the appointment of public officials who are committed to strengthening and protecting public education.

His expertise and advocacy have been recognized across numerous media platforms, including local news and radio, Bloomberg, CNN, ABC World News, TIME, and the Guardian. He has served as a guest panelist for the Florida State NAACP Freedom to Read Town Hall and the Transformative Justice Coalition, and as a featured panelist at the 52nd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference for the session entitled ``The Courage to Teach.'' This event was presented in collaboration with the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Education Association. In 2025, Royal was also honored as a recipient of the FOX 35 Care Force recognition, celebrating his exceptional work as a high school, college, and career specialist, as well as the profound impact he continues to make on the lives of his students.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Nykowanna Harris Sloan. With nearly three decades of dedicated service in education, Dr. Nykowanna Harris Sloan is a steadfast advocate for equity, empowerment, and excellence. Her professional journey reflects an enduring commitment to student achievement, youth development, and dismantling systemic barriers that disproportionately affect underserved and historically marginalized Central Florida communities. A recognized champion of restorative practices and culturally responsive education, Dr. Sloan's leadership has transformed school cultures and expanded opportunities for countless students.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Sloan is a devoted servant leader with decades of consistent community engagement focused on uplifting and empowering the African American community. She holds active leadership roles in numerous civic and service organizations and has received multiple awards and accolades. Her memberships range from her beloved Orange County, Florida, Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, to several national and local organizations. In each capacity, she serves not merely as a member but as a strategist, organizer, and advocate for meaningful progress.

As a licensed and ordained minister with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Sloan is deeply committed to spiritual growth and holistic development. Her ministry bridges faith and lived experience, offering guidance marked by humility, conviction, and grace. Through preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, she has led many toward healing, purpose, and renewed faith.

At the heart of Dr. Sloan's life is her family. A devoted mother and grandmother, she views her children and grandchildren as both her greatest joy and her sacred responsibility in building a better tomorrow. Guided by a generational vision, she leads with love, intention, and unwavering purpose.

Across education, ministry, and civic leadership, Dr. Sloan remains anchored in the belief that service is not merely an act, but a calling--one she continues to fulfill with integrity, influence, and lasting impact.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Pastor Johnny M. McKinnie, a quiet and devoted servant of God with a deep love for the Lord and a strong commitment to preaching, teaching, and community service. He is married to Lady Earline C. McKinnie, and together they are blessed with four children who serve in ministry.

His background reflects a lifelong dedication to faith and leadership. Pastor McKinnie earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bethune-Cookman University, a Master of Arts in Christian Education from North Florida Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Expository Preaching from E.K. Bailey Ministries. He honorably served in the United States Army as a flight control specialist and later spent 23 years in the telecommunications industry before entering full-time pastoral ministry.

He served three years as pastor of Sweet Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Live Oak, Florida, eight years at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, and has faithfully led St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Kissimmee, Florida, for more than 24 years.

At St. Luke, Pastor McKinnie strengthened Christian education by restructuring the Sunday School and Youth Ministries, establishing a weekly Sunday School Forum, New Members Orientation, leadership training for Deacons and Deaconesses, and expanding the Women's Ministry. He also introduced youth evangelism training to promote leadership, social engagement, and spiritual growth among young people. Under his leadership, the church expanded its infrastructure and acquired seven duplexes to provide housing for low-income families. He further expanded community outreach by collaborating with the Council on Aging in Kissimmee, Florida, to support social, educational, and advocacy initiatives for seniors.

Pastor McKinnie has served in leadership roles within multiple Baptist associations, including 10 years as third vice-moderator of the First South Florida Baptist Association, served as the Chaplain for Osceola County School Board, is a lifetime member of the NAACP, received many prestigious awards, and is the son of Mr. S. H. McKinnie and the late Mrs. Chelcie McKinnie of Campbellton, Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition today to H.R. 498, the so-called Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, and I urge my colleagues to support my motion to recommit.

H.R. 498 is an unnecessary ban on Medicaid funding. Instead, we see what Republicans are doing: a $1-trillion cut to Medicaid in the big, ugly law that is going to mean a 15 percent cut next year in Florida that they are going to have to work on and trying to insert themselves into deeply personal medical decisions.

Mr. Speaker, there was a Christmas miracle this week. We saw four Republicans join us in a discharge petition to get at what the American people really want to vote on. They want us to vote on extending the enhanced premium tax credits for the ACA to stop a huge healthcare hike for 20 million Americans. That is what people want us to be talking about here today, before their premiums double, triple, and even quadruple.

They don't want us to be delving into these culture war issues when we have real work to do to fund Medicaid and to extend the ACA tax credits.

Affordability is the biggest thing in the Nation right now. My district has the second most ObamaCare of any district. In my district, 275,000 people will see their healthcare double or triple, so this should be the priority right now.

Mr. Speaker, all America wants for Christmas is a 3-year ACA tax credit extension, and I am hoping we can get it together. I have given us an opportunity.

For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill.

My amendment would include a clean 3-year extension of the enhanced premium tax credits, just in time for Christmas.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, Chuck Weagraff is a 21-year veteran of the fire service and the proud third generation of his family to wear the badge. His career has spanned multiple departments and communities, including Honolulu, the cities of Ocoee and Oviedo, and now serving with distinction at the Reedy Creek Fire Department. At every step, Chuck has demonstrated the highest level of professionalism, dedication, and passion for the calling of a firefighter.

Within the department, Chuck has distinguished himself as both a leader and a teacher. He serves as an instructor on the Special Operations Team, preparing members for the most complex and dangerous challenges of the profession. As a paramedic preceptor, he has mentored countless new medics, imparting not only technical skill but also the calm confidence and compassion that define the best in emergency medicine. In addition, as a certified department fire instructor, he dedicates himself to developing the next generation of firefighters. His impact as a mentor and instructor is felt throughout our organization and beyond.

Chuck is known among his peers as steady under pressure, generous with his time and knowledge, and always putting the needs of others first. His quiet but steady leadership inspires those around him to be better, both on and off the job.

Outside the firehouse, Chuck is a devoted family man to his wife and two children. The same dedication that defines him as a firefighter is equally present in the way he supports and cares for his family.

For his decades of service, professionalism, leadership, and devotion to both his department and his loved ones, Chuck Weagraff exemplifies the very best of the fire service.

Mr. Speaker, firefighter Troy Parker was born and raised in Osceola County, Florida, and is a 2016 graduate of Harmony High School. At the age of 21, while returning home from his sales job, he came upon a serious motor vehicle accident. In that moment, he felt a profound calling to serve and protect others, a calling that led him to pursue a career in the fire service. Through two years of rigorous training and determination, he achieved his goal of joining Osceola County Fire Rescue.

Since that time, Firefighter Parker has earned multiple accreditations, enabling him to serve on the department's Special Operations and Hazardous Materials teams. He is an active member of the Benevolent and participates in numerous community and fire service outreach initiatives. Currently enrolled in paramedic school, he continues to advance his skills and his ability to deliver lifesaving care.

On March 3, 2025, while off duty, Firefighter Parker encountered a vehicle accident in which an occupant was trapped inside a car rapidly submerging into a retention pond. Without hesitation, he entered the water, striking the window with his bare hand until he could reach the driver. As the vehicle overturned and sank, pulling them both underwater, Firefighter Parker displayed exceptional courage and determination. With remarkable strength and selflessness, he freed the trapped occupant, swam them to shore, and remained by their side until Engine 52 arrived to provide further care. His decisive actions embodied the highest traditions of valor and service.

Firefighter Parker intends to dedicate his life to a full career of service within the fire service. His professionalism, heroism, and unwavering commitment to his community bring great pride to himself and to Osceola County Fire Rescue.

Mr. Speaker, Tim Jones was born in the Bronx, New York, in the 1970's, and from a young age knew he wanted to be a firefighter. Growing up, he admired the courage and sacrifice of firefighters, and as a child, he often told friends and family that one day he would drive fire trucks. September 11, 2001, profoundly shaped Tim's path, reaffirming his commitment and lifelong calling to public service. Two years later, on September 11, 2003, he officially began his career with the Orange County Fire Rescue Department. From that day forward, he has dedicated his life to protecting others, serving his community, and honoring the legacy of sacrifice and courage that inspired him.

Driving and operating fire engines quickly became his passion, while training and teaching emerged as his gift. Tim has trained hundreds of new recruits as a recruit training officer and guided experienced firefighters, engineers, and lieutenants through advanced instruction on the fire ground. He has helped design and administer the department's driver-operator promotional exam and has been a consistent leader in professional development.

Beyond technical training, Tim has invested deeply in the health and well-being of his fellow firefighters. As a certified peer fitness trainer, he has supported personnel in maintaining physical readiness. As a founding member of the Peer Support Team and Dog Therapy Program, he has championed mental health resources for firefighters and their families. His leadership, loyalty, and compassion have made him a cornerstone of the department and community. His fellow firefighters know they can count on him at any hour, on or off duty, and his community knows him as a trusted friend. It is not uncommon for neighbors, residents, or even strangers to stop him to thank him for the many ways he has touched their lives--whether through saving a loved one, offering comfort during hardship, or simply showing up when he was needed most and simply being a steady and trusted presence.

Tim lives by the words of Muhammad Ali: ``Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.'' His career exemplifies that service, sacrifice, and commitment.

Mr. Speaker, Ronald Huguenin has dedicated more than two decades to public safety and service in Central Florida. Beginning his career in 2001, he served with the Daytona Beach Fire Department from 2002 to 2007, where he was a member of the Motor Medics, the Technical Rescue Team, and served as a fire explorer advisor, mentoring young adults interested in careers in the fire service. In 2007, he joined the Orlando Fire Department, where he currently serves as a lieutenant paramedic within the Special Operations Command, assigned to Engine 2/ B, known as the ``Pride of Parramore.''

Lieutenant Huguenin is a state-certified firefighter and nationally registered paramedic, with specialized certifications as a hazmat technician and Scott Air-Pak technician. His career reflects a strong commitment to technical excellence, operational readiness, and leadership in complex emergency situations that demand precision and teamwork.

Beyond emergency response, Lieutenant Huguenin has played an active role in strengthening community ties and developing the next generation of firefighters. He participated in the ``Books and Badges'' program, which promotes literacy and mentorship in local schools, and contributed to strategic planning efforts that brought together a diverse group of individuals to help shape the long-term vision of the Orlando Fire Department. He currently serves as the lead instructor for the B-shift Field Training Officer program, ensuring probationary firefighters develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to complete their first year successfully. Additionally, as treasurer for the Orlando Professional Firefighters Union, he has helped organize initiatives that provide food and support for families and individuals in need across the Central Florida community.

Lieutenant Huguenin's dedication to his profession, his department, and the community he serves exemplifies the courage, service, and selflessness that define the firefighting profession.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this summer in Altamonte Springs, while off-duty and spending time with his family, Firefighter and Paramedic Christopher Fearon witnessed a five-year-old boy slip under the water and begin to drown. Within seconds, he pulled the child out, cleared his airway, and helped him take a lifesaving breath. The boy was purple in the face and struggling to breathe, but thanks to Chris's training, instinct, and calm under pressure, he survived and recovered.

Chris embodies: Skill and decisiveness under pressure--drawing on years of fire-rescue and paramedic training; Service beyond duty--never hesitating to act, even off the clock; Humility and compassion--later reflecting, ``All I wanted to do since I was little was help people . . . and I love it.'' This act of quick thinking heroism, covered by local news, not only saved a life but also drew attention to the importance of water safety in Central Florida. The boy has since received a scholarship to learn to swim, creating a ripple effect of safety and prevention beyond the incident itself.

Mr. Speaker, Jeffrey Booher is a certified firefighter/ lieutenant and paramedic with the City of Kissimmee Fire Department, where he has served with distinction for over 20 years. A native of Central Florida, Jeffrey was inspired to enter the fire service following the events of September 11, 2001. Leaving behind a successful career in construction management, he committed himself to public service and began training at the Central Florida Fire Academy.

Throughout his tenure, Jeffrey has held numerous roles, including firefighter/EMT, firefighter/paramedic, and driver/operator. He currently serves as a company officer, leading his crew with a strong focus on safety, professionalism, and mentorship.

Jeffrey holds a bachelor's degree in fire administration from Waldorf University, graduating with honors. He has also completed specialized training at the Emergency Services Leadership Institute and the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, with a focus on incident command.

Jeffrey's technical credentials include technician-level certifications in Rope Rescue, Vehicle Machinery Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, and Trench Rescue.

His dedication has earned him multiple honors, including 2017 KFD Officer of the Year, Citywide Employee of the Month in 2015 and 2024, and City of Kissimmee Employee of the Year in 2024. In 2019, he was awarded the Honeywell DuPont Scholarship to attend FDIC International.

Beyond his operational duties, Jeffrey has contributed significantly to department initiatives, serving on committees for firefighter safety, apparatus and station design, and the hiring and training of new firefighters. He also serves as a trustee and co-chairman of the Firefighter Pension Board. His role as assistant accreditation manager helped lead to the fire department's first international accreditation. With unwavering dedication, technical expertise, and a heart for service, Lieutenant Jeffrey Booher continues to embody the values of leadership, integrity, and commitment that define the fire service.

Mr. Speaker, as a dedicated Osceola County Fire Rescue Lieutenant with 32 years of service, Lieutenant Humberto Vergara has built a career centered on ensuring the well-being, preparedness, and safety of firefighters and the communities they serve. With a passion for leadership, health, and physical fitness, Lieutenant Vergara leads by example, fostering a culture of resilience and excellence within not only Osceola County Fire Rescue, but across the entire state of Florida.

Specializing in health and safety initiatives, Lieutenant Vergara is the health and safety

chairman at Osceola County Fire Rescue and has successfully developed and implemented programs aimed at reducing workplace injuries, enhancing physical readiness, promoting mental wellness, and preventing cancer. His hands-on approach to fitness training and safety education has equipped firefighters with the tools and confidence needed to perform their duties effectively under the most challenging conditions.

Lieutenant Vergara was a founding member of the Florida Firefighter Fitness Collaborative, established in 2011. Their mission was to offer ``Wellness Mutual Aid'' to other fire departments across the state that pursued the implementation and/or maintenance of their wellness/fitness programs, such as the IAFF Wellness Fitness Initiative.

Lieutenant Vergara currently serves on the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative, which focuses on areas of firefighter cancer prevention, health and fitness, mental wellness, and firefighter safety. Through the FFSHC, Bert chairs the health and safety section for the state of Florida. Bert also serves as a member of the First Responder Center of Excellence, Health, Wellness, and Fitness Advisory Committee. He also serves as an advisor on the IAFF Wellness Fitness Initiative Taskforce.

Lieutenant Vergara continuously seeks opportunities for professional development to stay at the forefront of emerging health and safety practices. He remains committed to mentoring firefighters, cultivating teamwork, and creating sustainable strategies to improve overall firefighter performance.

Lieutenant Vergara was recently the recipient of the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Firefighter Cancer Initiative, Commitment Award for his contributions to improve the health and wellness of Florida's firefighters.

Mr. Speaker, Lymari D. Maldonado holds a bachelor of business administration in management information systems from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez campus, graduating with honors. With over 25 years of experience in software development, she currently serves as the director of enterprise applications at Valencia College. In this leadership role, she oversees major enterprise-wide technology initiatives, mentors both junior and senior developers, and ensures the reliability and performance of critical systems that support the college's mission.

Since joining Valencia College, Lymari has made significant contributions to institutional advancement through her technical expertise and collaborative leadership. She is an active member of the Florida Department of Education's Management Information Systems Advisory Task Force (MISATFOR), where she helps shape statewide data reporting standards. Beyond her technical work, she plays a vital role in fostering campus community. By hosting international students at Valencia, Lymari supports global education initiatives and promotes cross-cultural understanding and inclusion.

Prior to her tenure at Valencia, Lymari served as the lead applications systems analyst at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, where she designed, developed, and maintained key election systems to ensure secure and accurate electoral processes. As a core member of the Elections Management Team, she reviewed and approved election materials in both English and Spanish and served as a bilingual ballot reader for voters requiring assistance.

Often the only Hispanic woman in her field, Lymari has broken barriers while leading with integrity and professionalism. Her work has even taken her as far as Australia through international project contributions. Despite her many career accomplishments, she considers her most important role to be that of a mother to three wonderful children and a wife to a husband who shares her deep passion for community service. Her story is a vivid testament to the invaluable contributions Hispanic women bring to Central Florida.

Mr. Speaker, Rafael Monteiro is a C-level executive and entrepreneur with extensive experience in business development and management in the media and entertainment industry.

Monteiro also served as an executive at Discovery Networks in Miami and as the general manager of a full-service advertising agency, which serviced the multicultural market. He is also one of the pioneers of pan-regional media advertising and sales consolidation in the U.S.

In 2000, Monteiro joined Terra Networks USA (NASDAQ: TRRA) and helped evangelize digital media and advertising automation in the U.S. Hispanic market. In 2007, Rafael ventured into entrepreneurship and founded Hola Networks and HOD, successfully introducing an automated digital ad network model that enabled Fortune 500 companies to efficiently enhance targeting and diversity in their marketing strategies and streaming content distribution.

Rafael Monteiro also served as the president of the Digital Media Committee at the Advertising Agency Association (AHAA) and as a board member/CDO of Amcor Media.