Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mary Barley of Florida to celebrate her much-deserved induction into the Everglades Coalition Hall of Fame.

Mary and her late husband, George, brought unmatched passion and commitment for decades to serving America's Everglades. For instance, this award-winning advocate was pivotal in helping pass the bipartisan Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in 2000. This landmark legislation authorized the world's largest ecosystem restoration effort, one that continues to guide our renewal efforts today.

Mary is also a founding director of the Everglades Foundation, the leading scientific, advocacy, and educational group working to restore this ecological treasure.

Mr. Speaker, Mary Barley has been more than a leading bipartisan force in the historic quest to save the River of Grass. She has been a mentor, friend, and role model to generations of young environmentalists who were fortunate to learn from her passion and devotion to this cherished ecosystem. We are so fortunate to have a persuasive advocate to preserve and protect this unique and magnificent ecosystem. Mary's induction into the Everglades Coalition Hall of Fame is timely and well-deserved.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Republicans' reproductive healthcare surveillance act.

This bill is the very definition of a wolf in sheep's clothing. It uses an intentionally scary title that simply doesn't happen. Babies born alive are not killed by abortions after birth.

Republicans pretend to support families and pregnant women, but this bill is clearly another attempt to control a woman's body. It is a bill to wedge the government between couples and their doctor when facing incredibly difficult decisions.

This bill pushes lies and misinformation about pregnancy and abortion care. It targets women who received heartbreaking diagnoses of serious health complications, the kind of complications that puts the life of a fetus or their own life at risk.

That is why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly opposes this legislation. These are the very frontline medical professionals who provide care for women throughout their pregnancy.

We all know women who are suffering due to the Republicans' agenda that puts pregnant women in the crosshairs of their extremism.

Sadly, these tragic stories are not hard to find in my home State of Florida. Let's not create more of them.

Mr. Speaker, we must reject these attacks and stand up for women in our country. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, before I yield to other Members, Mr. Speaker, I will begin with my own remarks regarding my longtime chief of staff, Tracie Pough.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a woman who, as much as anyone in my adult life, has been a true partner, mentor, counsel, confidant, and quite frankly, like the sister that I never had. I do have a great brother, though.

I rise to honor my chief of staff, Tracie Pough, who is retiring after 20-plus years of service in the House, which has spanned my own 20 years representing my community in our beloved home State of Florida.

Rarely, Mr. Speaker, are any of us blessed with someone who can see our inner self with just a glance, someone who without one word knows exactly where you stand, someone who is truly your natural alter ego.

Throughout all of my time in Congress, and even before that, in my time in the Florida Legislature, I leaned on no one more than my chief of staff, Tracie Pough.

We often joke in my office about how the two of us share one brain. I can't tell you how many nights I leaned on her for advice, knowledge, and insights, not just on how to make life better for the people that I represent, but how to navigate through life.

Anyone who knows her has benefited from her Tracie-isms, wisdom that comes with its own vocabulary. She is a staff leader who has mentored and trained dozens of staffers on our team, many of whom are watching C-SPAN. I know I am breaking rules referring to people in the gallery, but many are also joining us in the gallery tonight.

She is a staff leader who is sought out by other staffers, as well as chiefs, for her guidance. She is widely respected on both sides of the aisle, and her political acumen is legendary. Tracie is and always has been a trusted voice, an empathic voice to all who seek her counsel.

Her amazing political instincts, unmatched relationships, and her highly structured leadership of my office is something I have come to rely on for two decades.

When former staffers reached back to me with their thoughts about her leadership, many shared how Tracie was an invaluable mentor to them over her 21 years in Congress.

She has been both my top general and that ever-reliable shoulder to cry on. She has been there with me through it all. Tracie helped lift me to my highest of highs, and she was right there to pick me up in those low times.

It is during these times that you find out who you can really count on, Mr. Speaker, who has the courage, the passion and temperament and loyalty to continue to help you take steps forward, never back.

I have a couple of items that I want to recall, one of which was the story behind my passage of the first bill that I ever passed as a Member of Congress all the way back in 2005, which created Jewish American Heritage Month.

It is a lengthy story, but suffice it to say, you want to find yourself--to the new Members who may be listening to these remarks--you want to find yourself a chief of staff, a team leader, who knows the intricacies of the legislative process, who actually picks up the daily calendar, who looks closely at it, and then figures out what plays need to be made to get your legislation to the floor.

I can comfortably say that we would not have just celebrated the 17th year of Jewish American Heritage Month this past year in May if not for Tracie Pough's acumen, her strategic incite, and her relationships. As a freshman, I can tell you, I would not have been able to carry that ball by myself.

Tracie has also been an incredible generational bridge, which both of us have very much needed as the evolution of the age and generations of my staff have gotten younger than we are today.

I was elected to Congress, Mr. Speaker, when I was 37 years old, and suffice it to say, that I had several staffers that were older than me back then. No longer. If anyone has dealt with the challenges--and I am now a parent of Gen Zers, three Gen Zers, whom I, like every parent, struggle to understand--but now I have an entire team, almost an entire team of staff who are either Millennials or Gen Zers, and Tracie and I have enjoyed helping raise them up.

Under her leadership, we taught them how to actually pick up the telephone and call other people, rather than just shoot them a text or send them an email. When they are sitting there wondering why someone hasn't gotten back to them, or they are ready to throw their hands up, and say, you know, it is time to move on, Congresswoman, Tracie will say, why don't you have Debbie actually go talk to that Member on the other side of the aisle.

Lo and behold, when I take the opportunity to do that, the logjam and the dam breaks. Human interaction is so incredibly important, and with the explosion of technology that the next generation of staffers and children and kids grow up with, she has been an incredible guide to ensuring that old school remains new school.

As with all wonderful relationships, this one will now evolve. She is prepared to move on and start that inevitable new chapter. Her impact on me, our staff, and the people that I represent runs so deep.

Through her tireless work, Tracie has made life better for millions of people across Florida, across my congressional district, and this entire Nation. She is someone who there aren't words to describe the depth of my feeling about her departure, but I will so miss working with directly and spending time with her each day. Although, I am confident that we will probably talk almost every day, at least for the foreseeable future and much to her dismay, probably.

She is someone to whom I will forever remain attached to. Tracie Pough is family to me, and I cherish her friendship and the time we have spent together more than I can ever put into words. As I always say, when a trusted and valued team member goes on to the next stage of their career, they will always be on team DWS, but she will technically move to the concentric circles of our family. She will always remain in the center as a trusted adviser, dearest friend, and sister.

On behalf of so many here today, and so many others, I thank her. I am honored to have her by my side and to celebrate her work, her character, and the indelible mark she has left on all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn).

Thank you so much, Mr. Whip, for helping me honor my friend, my sister, Tracie Pough.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentlewoman from the great State of Florida (Ms. Castor), my colleague and friend.

Thank you so much, Congresswoman Castor. That was a very special and important tribute. I appreciate it so much.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the Congresswoman from the great State of Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Frankel, my friend, for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto).

Two.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Soto and all of my colleagues for helping me honor this remarkable woman.

Mr. Speaker, I will close with this. I think every Member can appreciate that their chief of staff, really their entire congressional staff, but their chief of staff is often a person we spend more time with than we spend with any member of our family, including our spouses and significant others. It is someone who needs to put up with us and tolerate the highs and lows.

Tracie has done all that and more. She has taken calls at all hours of the night. Then, in the morning, she has always made herself available.

The sacrifices that all of our staff members make to be able to help us be successful and make sure that our constituents are able to have their representation maximized is truly remarkable.

Tracie and I have been through marriage, children, raising those children, helping one another raise our children; appointments to committees for me, like the Appropriations Committee in my second term, becoming a cardinal on my first day; being diagnosed, beating, and surviving breast cancer; and chairing the Democratic National Committee, and surviving the aftermath of that experience, including threats, bomb threats, international hacks.

We had the absolutely incredible opportunity to be able to do all of that together and to be able to make sure that we do the best job every day when we walk across the threshold of our office doors to give voice to the people of now Florida's 25th Congressional District, but prior to that the 23rd, and prior to that the 20th.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to be able to honor this remarkable woman on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, the beacon of democracy, our temple of democracy that is a light unto the world and whose light is going to be a little bit dimmer with her departure on Friday.

I know that we will continue to work together and lean on one another for all the rest of our days.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 53 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a treasured Florida statesman, the Honorable Governor Kenneth ``Buddy'' MacKay.

Today, his hometown and family will celebrate this compassionate fighter who served 26 years in the State house and senate, Congress, as Florida's Lieutenant Governor, and briefly as Governor.

A righteous fighter for what he believed in, he fought the Cross Florida Barge Canal and defended a fellow University of Florida classmate from racist taunts.

When others of his generation saw an issue to exploit, Buddy remained steadfast to protect civil rights, reproductive freedoms, and our precious ecosystem. Political foes used his decency against him, but Buddy MacKay remained a man of principle. He was a proud liberal who never abandoned causes that helped the less fortunate, even if it cost him votes.

I came of age watching Buddy MacKay masterfully maneuver against powerful adversaries and work tirelessly behind the scenes to help people. Buddy MacKay embodied all the values of decency and honesty, and his public service legacy is a model we desperately need.

May his memory be for a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present in the chamber on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, due to a family medical emergency. Unfortunately, the final version of the FY2025 NDAA includes a misguided provision preventing the dependents of service members from receiving the medical treatment they need and deserve. Further, the bill callously stripped provisions that would have given more service members and their partners the ability to start a family through IVF. However, as the Ranking Member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, I fight every day to improve the quality of life of our service members and their families and on balance, this bill does that. Among many meaningful investments, it includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other service members while eliminating contraceptive copayments for TRICARE beneficiaries. I will continue to fight for all service members and their families to receive the benefits and care they deserve.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 499 and YEA on Roll Call No. 500.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise and recognize the distinguished career of Dr. George Hanbury, the president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University.

Since 2010, Dr. Hanbury guided this institution with vision, integrity, and a true dedication to excellence. His impact is evident in the growth, innovation, and spirit that defines NSU, its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

During his tenure, NSU established a state-of-the-art teaching hospital. It also opened the Levan Center of Innovation for startup businesses and student entrepreneurship. It became the third university nationwide to offer both osteopathic and allopathic medical degrees in 2018.

Dr. Hanbury also established the President's 64, an elite group of student leaders with the purpose to strengthen the relationship between the university and its community. During a recent interview, he said his 27 years at NSU is ``the most noble thing I have ever done.''

I wish him well on his retirement and thank him for, the thoughtful and committed work he has done to enrich the students and faculty at Nova Southeastern University.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank my good friends from Maryland, Mr. Mfume and Mr. Raskin, for their diligent work on this bill to honor the life and legacy of Elijah Cummings.

Chairman Cummings was known throughout this Chamber and the Nation as a man of strength and integrity and someone who compassionately yet fearlessly wielded his powers of oversight and transparency to make our Nation as strong as it could possibly be.

He was also a mentor to me and many others, and someone I proudly called my friend. I had the privilege of serving on the Committee on Oversight and Reform under Chairman Cummings and saw up close how he fought for what is right and just, even if it wasn't popular.

Elijah Cummings was also known for telling hard truths. It didn't matter who you were, what your politics were, or where you came from. He told difficult truths to American baseball heroes who had tarnished our beloved pastimes, and he confronted powerful people who priced prescription drugs beyond the reach of our citizens.

One of Elijah Cummings' best qualities was that he listened, and more importantly, he actually heard you. He heard you whether you were a schoolteacher or a janitor, a colleague here in Congress or the President of the United States.

I still carry the advice that Chairman Cummings gave to me, and I am sure he shared it with many of you as well: You need to think about the decisions you make and their impact not just on the moment at hand but on the future.

I could spend all day listing out his legislative and political accomplishments, but one thing stands out and cements his lasting impact: the thousands of people he inspired to fight for justice and freedom.

He served this House and the American people with grace, unmatched integrity, and passion. He loved the city and the people of Baltimore, and they loved him right back.

This post office is another visible and lasting testament of respect for this true American giant, and I proudly support this bill and encourage all of my colleagues to do the same and continue to acknowledge the incredible legacy and leadership of this remarkable man.

Rest in power, my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jewish Refugee Day, or Yom Haplitim. On November 30th, we remember the 900,000 Jews who were exiled from Arab and Muslim-majority nations during the early years of the State of Israel.

For over 2,500 years, Jews lived in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf region. Over generations, Jews were subjected to discrimination and even second-class citizenship in many cases. But, nevertheless, they were loyal citizens who made substantial contributions to the culture and development of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Morocco, and several other Arab countries.

In the wake of the Holocaust and the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, entire Jewish communities were forcefully exiled from the countries in which they had lived for millennia. Their homes and property were stripped from them along with their citizenship. These women, men, and children fled in a mass exodus, leaving everything behind to start new lives in the lands of their ancestors, as many of them were absorbed by Israel and now form an indispensable part of the fabric of the Jewish homeland. Other refugees became part of the Jewish Diaspora, including in the United States.

I had the privilege of meeting with researchers and historians in Davie, Florida who are crucially documenting and preserving the life stories of Jews who lived for millennia across the Middle East and North Africa.

I was honored to have the opportunity to hear survivors share testimonies of experiencing exile from their countries and bravely navigating a new life. It is critical that these stories are preserved for future generations.

Their struggle and resilience--along with the hundreds of thousands of Jews who also stood in their shoes--is inspiring. It is a testament to the improbable survival of the Jewish people throughout history.

In 1910, the first Jewish person permanently settled in Broward County. From then on, our community has only grown, diversified and thrived.

Throughout my time in Congress, I've always fought to embrace the diversity of our Nation and the immigrant heritage that follows us to this day.

I am proud to represent the Jewish American community in my district and to use my platform to amplify the voices of Jewish Americans.

Since the horrors of October 7, antisemitism has risen sharply around the world. Many Jewish Americans are fearful and isolated as threats reemerge from the darkness.

But I and the Jewish American community--and Jews all over the world--will not be deterred. The history of the Jewish people is characterized by our strength and resilience in the face of strife. We must acknowledge the history of the Jewish refugees to keep their stories alive.

Mr. Speaker, I could not be physically present in the House to vote on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 461; NAY on Roll Call No. 462; YEA on Roll Call No. 463; and NAY on Roll Call No. 464.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to recognize the life of Dr. Leonard Tipton, who was a remarkably impactful individual until he sadly left us at 84 years old.

Dr. Tipton was an American success story. The first in his family to graduate from high school, he would go on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, ultimately bringing his talents to the University of Florida.

Dr. Tipton made important contributions to Florida and beyond, serving as a Professor in the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida from 1985 until his retirement in 2005.

As a renowned scholar, Dr. Tipton pioneered work on survey research methodology and the role the media plays in setting, not just reporting on, a public agenda.

Dr. Tipton was known to be an extraordinary teacher and mentor. Dr. Tipton's former students have an unprecedented track record of success, going on to become successful academics, Oscar-winning filmmakers, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters, and this Member of Congress.

I was fortunate enough to experience firsthand the teaching and mentorship of this creative enthusiastic educator. He always worked to make sure his students had the resources and tools to succeed, inspiring us to achieve greatness. His generosity and love of teaching were the hallmarks of his career as an educator and will be fondly remembered by all who met him.

May his memory be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the approaching, somber, first anniversary of Hamas' horrific attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

This past year, we have experienced continued heartbreak and mourning with fresh pain rearing its ugly head each time we learn the tragic fate of hostages who were captured that fateful day and subsequently murdered by their captors.

Just a few weeks ago, on the eve of a rescue operation, Hamas executed six hostages in cold blood, including an American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. It was a gut punch.

After surviving absolutely horrific conditions for nearly a year, they were brutally murdered by Hamas in the tunnels below Gaza all because their rescue was imminent and because of Hamas' hatred of Jews and their commitment to destroy Israel.

As a Jewish mother of three, meeting with so many parents of the hostages, including Hersh's parents, Rachel and Jon, has felt deeply personal. Their fortitude and strength in advocating for the return of their children is nothing less than heroic.

I have met with Rachel and Jon countless times this past year, and something that always sticks with me is when Rachel shared her last embrace with Hersh before he left for the Nova music festival for his 23rd birthday.

No mother should ever have to think that when they kiss their child good-bye before a concert, it will be for the last time because they will be murdered by terrorists.

This senseless evil compels us to hold our own children tighter and strengthens our resolve to end the terrorist threat that lives on Israel's doorstep, which no people should have to endure.

I was in the region with a congressional delegation on October 7 and in Israel on October 10. Since October 7, I have traveled to Israel twice more. During a visit in March, the most searing moment for me was when our delegation paid our respects at the site of the Nova festival.

The Nova festival was a celebration of peace. Thousands of young people joined together in the desert to celebrate life.

At sunrise, terrorists invaded the site, including flying in on motorized paragliders with the sole objective of murdering, maiming, sexually assaulting, and kidnapping festivalgoers and hundreds of Israelis in their homes.

No parent should fear getting the text that so many received that morning from their children that the worst has happened.

When you go to the Nova site today, you see memorials and photos of the beautiful, vibrant faces of the hundreds of young people marked where they were murdered.

As a mother, a Jew, and a Zionist, the experience was overwhelming.

Despite the horror and ongoing tragedy of the almost 100 hostages that still remain in Gaza, ripped away from their loved ones for almost 365 days, the people of Israel are strong and will never stop fighting for their future.

I am inspired by those Israelis who have dedicated themselves to bringing the hostages home and seeking a just peace.

October 7 didn't just impact Jews living in Israel. It impacted Jews around the world, especially here at home. While anti-Semitism was already on the rise after October 7, Jewish hate exploded, reaching record levels of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States.

According to ADL, since it first started tracking incidents of anti- Semitic harassment, vandalism, and assault in the United States in 1979, this past year resulted in the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents on record.

The American Jewish Committee found that two-thirds of American Jews say the status of Jews in the U.S. is less secure compared to 1 year ago, and 62 percent of American Jews report facing anti-Semitism online or on social media in the past 12 months.

This is unacceptable. Anti-Semitism doesn't just threaten Jews. It is an attack on the very foundations of our society, pluralism, religious freedom, and equal rights, endangering all of us.

I am so grateful for President Biden and Vice President Harris' moral clarity and leadership in combating anti-Semitism.

In May 2023, their administration took the unprecedented step to release the U.S.' first ever whole-of-society National Strategy to Counter Anti-Semitism.

We must combat this hatred, and I urge all of my colleagues to call out anti-Semitism no matter where it comes from.

Lastly, I have a plea for my colleagues: When you are home in your districts, please check in on your Jewish friends and neighbors.

We are not okay. Local Jewish organizations are planning events around the October 7 anniversary, so I implore you to reach out and show up for your Jewish neighbors and constituents. Speak out against anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, which is a form of anti-Semitism.

Together, we will stand up against hate and stand up for Israel.

We will never forget the victims, the hostages, and their families. We must bring them all home now.

``Am Yisrael Chai,'' ``The people of Israel live.''

Mr. Speaker, I make a motion to overrule the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order.

Mr. Speaker, you have made a ruling that the gentleman's motion is not in order, and I object and disagree with that ruling. I would like to make a motion to overrule the decision of the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding and for his strong support of this legislation and his poignant and important words. I thank him for taking the time to go into some detail about the experience of his own Jewish community in his Congressional District.

I rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, H.R. 7764, to establish a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution.

I also thank Representatives Turner, Boyle, and Max Miller for joining me in leading this bill, and of course, I thank Chairman Steil and the ranking member for prioritizing it and getting it through unanimously in the Committee on House Administration.

Last year, ADL tracked a 140-percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents from the previous year resulting in a record high since ADL began tracking these instances of hate almost 50 years ago.

According to the American Jewish Committee, nearly two-thirds of American Jews feel less secure in the U.S. than they did a year ago.

To combat the rising hate, President Biden and Vice President Harris developed our country's first ever National Strategy to Counter Anti- Semitism. The strategy notes that we cannot address the root causes of anti-Semitism without awareness and education.

With anti-Semitism skyrocketing, acknowledging the past and acting to build a better tomorrow is more critical than ever.

It will take a whole-of-society effort to do this, and folding the Weitzman National Museum of Jewish History into the Smithsonian is one step toward that goal.

We must uplift Jewish stories and raise awareness of the contributions of Jewish Americans throughout our Nation's history, which the Weitzman does every day.

Taking this critical step to welcome the Weitzman Museum into the larger Smithsonian family would help us share those achievements with the American people from all over the country as its mission is to educate visitors and online audiences about who Jews are and how they contributed to our country.

The museum develops critical in-person and online educational programming, provides professional development for educators, and produces award-winning special and traveling exhibits.

However, its ability to reach a national audience is limited, which is why the best way to amplify its resources is to incorporate it into the Smithsonian Institution.

This powerful institutional integration signals a strong commitment to address the dramatic rise in anti-Semitism. It does that by helping amplify the myriad ways Jewish Americans enrich our Nation.

We need all Americans alike to learn about all the remarkable Jews who served in our government and the military or who won Nobel Prizes, led universities, and made lifesaving medical discoveries our Nation counts on.

The Jewish community's commitment to tikkun olam, a commitment to repair the world, is clear across so many generations of Americans.

Bringing the Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History into the Smithsonian alongside the African American, Native American, and other pending cultural museums is fitting and essential.

We must shine a light on it to support Jewish Americans and respond to skyrocketing hate.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, again, for their support, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I rise to recognize Cooper City Commissioner L. Jeffrey Green.

Jeffrey Green began his career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in January 1988 and recently celebrated his 36th year with the Bureau. Mr. Green currently serves as the Community Relations Coordinator for the Miami Division and is responsible for expanding the FBI's presence in local communities through civic and community engagement.

In addition to his FBI career, Mr. Green is also an elected Commissioner for Cooper City. In this capacity, Commissioner Green is one of five elected officials responsible for governing local municipal affairs. This includes providing oversight of the City's $60+ million- dollar budget, its public safety operations, and all aspects of running a local government.

Commissioner Green will be ending his term serving the City this November. As a devoted public servant for more than 14 years, Commissioner Green helped transform Cooper City into ``Someplace Special'' to work, live, and raise a family.

Commissioner Green leads with his heart and has been a calming voice on the City Commission throughout his tenure. On behalf of the people of Florida's 25th District, we are grateful for his leadership and wish him well. We appreciate his invaluable work for the residents of Cooper City.