Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize and honor Dr. Erhabor Ighodaro, Ph.D. He is an accomplished educator, clergyman, public administrator and now, the first Nigerian American to serve as a Councilman for the city of Miami Gardens, which was incorporated on May 13, 2003. Dr. Ighodaro was appointed to serve as Councilman At-Large Seat 6, on September 12, 2012.

Dr. Ighodaro holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University, and he has had a profound impact upon education in South Florida. He is an educator with a solid background in public management, urban justice, urban education, curricula design and implementation of best practices methodologies, educational public policy and the intervention and resolution of school and community- based conflict.

As Executive Director of the Dr. Robert B. Ingram Foundation, Dr. Ighodaro oversees the organization's signature READ to LEAD program and has awarded over 5000 scholarships to students in Miami Dade County Public Schools. The scholarships entitle students to an educational excursion of Black history sites that culminates in one of Florida's major theme parks.

He also serves as the Miami-Dade School District's Administrator for the Ingram Africa School Alliance (IASA), ``Rites of Passage'' project and leads a delegation of students, teachers and parents on the district's annual excursion and student exchange opportunities with schools in Africa. Dr. Ighodaro is the author of the groundbreaking publication ``Curriculum Violence: America's New Civil Rights Issue.''

Dr. Ighodaro is the president of the Nigerian American Foundation and serves on numerous community boards and civic organizations. He is an Associate Minister at Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a mentor with the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project.

I am honored to recognize Dr. Erhabor Ighodaro for his unwavering dedication and commitment to education and to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary celebration of Mount Olivette Missionary Baptist Church, a historic landmark, in Miami, Florida.

The church was founded on October 12, 1912, in the home of Nathaniel Sampson, Reverend Sampson's brother, who is named as one of the pioneers, along with Julia Dean, Remalia Ellis, Richard Johnson, Francis Smith, Albert Taylor and Ellen Ward. Reverend Sampson's 16- year-old daughter Irene was the recording secretary.

The congregation later moved to Mrs. Powell's schoolhouse on Avenue G and Woods Street, which is now Northwest 1st Street and 2nd Avenue. The church bell would ring from a pine tree to alert the congregation about Sunday services, deaths and funerals.

Mount Olivette Missionary Baptist Church relocated to its present site at 1450 Northwest 1st Court around 1915.

In 1952, tragedy struck and the church had to be re-built from the ground-up. Under the leadership of Reverend I.C. Mickens the new sanctuary was completed in 1959, and the mortgage was burned in 1963.

Now, under the leadership of Reverend R. Clark, since 1979, Mt. Olivette Missionary Baptist Church continues to be a spiritual, educational and cultural center for the people and community it serves.

Please join me in recognizing this historic church, one of the corner stones of Miami's Overtown community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of South Florida's most beloved citizens, the late Mrs. Ora B. Bendross, who was affectionately known by many as ``Nana.''

Mrs. Bendross was known throughout the Miami-Dade County community as the lady with an enormous heart, who never ever met a stranger. Many in the South Florida community have experienced her kindness and generosity, and her home, became a refuge for some of today's most well-known community leaders. Those who knew her best will remember her open invitation to ``stop by and have dinner with my family.''

Mrs. Bendross adored her children and taught each of them the importance of an education.

As a dedicated member of the Historic Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church and later Bible Missionary Baptist Church, she served on several missionary boards, sang in the choir, served on an usher board and was fully committed to serving the Lord.

Mrs. Bendross is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Mr. Willie J. Bendross, and three of her seven children; Donald Bendross, Dallas Bendross and Joyce Bendross Forchion. She leaves to carry on her legacy her children; Pinnie (Patricia) Bendross, James Bendross, Dr. Dorothy Bendross Mindingall, Bennie (Yvonne) Bendross and a host of grandchildren, great-great and great-great-great grandchildren.

Please join me in honoring the late Mrs. Ora B. Bendross for her unwavering faith and commitment to her family and her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of South Florida's most respected and admired educators, the late Ms. Essie McCray.

Ms. McCray's passion and desire to help people led her to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and a social worker, and in doing so, she always encouraged others to live out and pursue their dreams.

Her first teaching position was at Ada Merritt Middle School in Miami, Florida, where she nurtured and guided many young students eager to learn. Ms. McCray's career as an educator would span decades, leading her to become an Assistant Principal at Miami Northwestern Senior High School before her retirement. However, her penchant and desire to help others did not end with her retirement from the public school system but continued throughout her life and extended well beyond the classroom.

Ms. McCray's countless acts of kindness and her overflowing generosity live on within all those who know and love her, especially her children: her daughter Kim McCray, her son James McCray and her mother Mrs. Minnie Robinson. Her extended family includes her brothers, James A. Bostic, Larry Young and William Robinson; her sister Patricia Canada and a host of aunts, uncles, loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Essie McCray was born on May 12, 1944, in Brunswick, Georgia to Minnie Robinson and the late James Bostic, Senior. Ms. McCray was educated within the Miami Dade County Public School System. Her studies continued at Florida A&M University, and she earned her Master of Science Degree in Social Work from Florida International University.

Please join me in honoring the late Ms. Essie McCray for her unwavering faith and commitment to her community, family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of South Florida's most respected and heralded educators and community activists, Susie Beatrice West Francis. Not only was she a beloved mother, wife and sister, but she was dearly loved and respected by the community. She gave of herself selflessly, always there to lend advice and a helping hand.

Susie Beatrice West Francis' teaching career started at D.A. Dorsey Junior-Senior High, where she taught home economics to black students. After desegregation, she taught at Westview Middle School. She was known for her elegance, poise and signature white gloves.

Mrs. Francis, along with Maude K. Reid and Mayme E. Williams founded The Links Greater Miami Chapter. The volunteer organization helps in civic, corporate and community initiatives. As a Link and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporate, Mrs. Francis raised funds for charity, helped establish scholarships for students, took care of the homeless and helped provide for mothers in need in other countries.

Mrs. Francis was married to the late Daniel Francis who was the editor of the Miami Tropical Dispatch, a weekly newspaper for the black community distributed in Overtown. They have one daughter, DanySu F. Pritchett. Mrs. Francis was born in Jacksonville to a father who was a barber and a mother who was a seamstress. Mrs. Francis was raised in Tampa along with seven siblings.

She attended Florida A&M University where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in education.

I recognize my Soror and Link sister, Susie Beatrice West Francis, and I am honored to pay tribute to her life and legacy. I thank her for her unwavering dedication and commitment to her students and this community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Adrian B. McClenney, a breast cancer survivor and the founder and president of the Miami, Florida, Chapter of Sisters Network Incorporated.

Mrs. McClenney was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. During treatment and her search to find support, she learned about Sisters Network, Inc., a national African American breast cancer survivorship organization. Its mission is to address the needs particular to African American women, the underinsured and the underserved around the country; by directly getting the message out that we must ``stop the silence'' about breast cancer, so women can start betting the odds. Mrs. McClenney contacted the organization and was so moved by their support of her, that in 2012, she founded the Miami Chapter of Sisters Network. The organization has since provided a strong support mechanism for hundreds of women with breast cancer and survivors in South Florida.

Experts estimate that about one out of every eight women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time during her life. The strongest risk factor for breast cancer is age. A woman's risk of developing this disease increases as she gets older. However, thanks to the work Mrs. McClenney is doing and improvements in cancer treatment and early detection, millions of women and thousands of men are surviving breast cancer today.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too. Today, there are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

I am honored to recognize Adrian B. McClenney, a breast cancer survivor and the founder and president of the Miami Chapter of Sisters Network, for her dedication and commitment to our community and fight against breast cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to include in the Record the following proclamation recognizing the radio station WMBM AM 1490:

Whereas, Gospel AM 1490 WMBM, purchased by New Birth

Broadcasting Corporation, in 1995, under the leadership of

Bishop Victor T. Curry, President and General Manager, has

given a voice to issues impacting our community through

empowering talk shows and inspirational gospel music;

Whereas, WMBM has been rated the number one traditional

gospel station in the Nation by religious and media quarterly

publications;

Whereas, WMBM has been featured in Ebony Magazine, Inside

Gospel Today, Gospel USA, Saved Magazine and numerous others;

Whereas, WMBM received the highest honor in the gospel

industry as the prestigious 2007 Stellar Award Radio Station

of the Year in a large market;

Whereas, WMBM reaches over 1,500,000 homes and business,

was one of the first radio stations to stream its broadcast

live via the Internet, and has FACEBOOK reach of 2.081

million;

Whereas, WMBM received a Certificate of Appreciation, from

the Office of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of

Commissioners, in 2012, in recognition of its valuable

contributions to Miami-Dade County; and

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson,

a member of the United States House of Representatives,

representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida:

Recognize the tremendous contributions of Gospel AM 1490

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of Florida's most respected and heralded political leaders, Senator Larcenia J. Bullard, as she and her family celebrate her influential political career as a member of both the Florida State House of Representatives and the Florida State Senate.

Senator Larcenia J. Bullard began her career as a Floridian policymaker in 1992. Upon her election to the Florida House of Representatives in 1992, she became the first woman ever to be elected as a Representative for District 118. After serving as a Representative for eight years, she was elected to the Florida Senate by District 39 in 2002. She was re-elected in 2004 and in 2008.

As a member of the Florida Senate, Senator Bullard has demonstrated her dedication to her District through a series of legislative initiatives. As a Senator, she successfully passed important legislation, like the Magic City Children's Zone, the Good Samaritan Act, and the State Facilities/Emergency Shelters Bill. Additionally, the Senator has served as the Vice Chair of the Agricultural and Transportation committees.

Senator Larcenia J. Bullard was born and raised in Allendale, South Carolina. The Senator relocated to Florida in 1980. While in Florida,. she obtained her Master's Degree from Nova Southeastern University and began to work s a teacher in the Miami-Dade Public School System. She is married to Former State Representative Edward B. Bullard, who also represented District 118. The family tradition of service continues with their son State Representative Dwight Bullard, who was elected as District 118's representative in 2008. Senator Bullard and her husband have two other children; Vincent and Edwina. They have three grandchildren.

I am pleased to honor Senator Larcenia J. Bullard of Florida District 39, for her unwavering dedication and commitment to her constituents, her community and her state.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the ladies of Pearl Essence of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Pi Delta Omega Chapter, of Miami, Florida, for their unwavering commitment and dedication to mentoring high school girls in grades 9 through 12.

Implemented in 2004, the Pearl Essence Mentoring Program is designed to help cultivate and encourage high ethical standards in young women; provide opportunities for community service projects; and enrich their lives through social, cultural and educational activities.

Pearl Essence's mission is to nurture young ladies, build character, boost self esteem and enrich lives toward reaching maximum potential in school, and community.

Under the direction and mentorship of Pearl Essence, these young ladies are poised and ready to become the leaders of tomorrow, as they embark on a lifetime of service and commitment to bettering their communities and the world.

This commitment to service and education are the embodiments and cornerstones of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, which was founded in 1908, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Alpha Kappa Alpha is now an international organization with both undergraduate and graduate chapters. Alpha Kappa Alpha cuts across racial, international, physical and social barriers to help individuals and communities develop and maintain constructive relationships with others. Partnerships have led to the implementation of programs by more than one hundred and eighty thousand women in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Please join me in honoring Pearl Essence of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Pi Delta Omega Chapter, for its commitment to our young women, education, our communities and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Lieutenant Colonel Willard Shepard for 28 years of distinguished service in the United States Air Force Reserves.

Lt. Colonel Shepard is retiring from active duty at U.S. Southern Command in Doral, Florida, to become a member of the Civil Air Patrol at Opa Locka Coast Guard Air Station Miami, which is located in Congressional District 24.

Lt. Colonel Shepard is also an award winning journalist, attorney and mentor to hundreds of Miami-Dade County School students. He serves as the United States Air Force academic liaison officer, in Congressional District 24; helping students obtain ROTC scholarships and appointments to the United States Air Force Academy.

As a mentor with the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, Lt. Colonel Shepard is an inspiration to hundreds of young men, and middle and high school students. He is a shining example of what can be achieved through education, hard work and dedication.

Lt. Colonel Shepard is a graduate of the Florida International University College of Law and specializes in media and aviation legal issues. He graduated cum laude from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and Theater, and he is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas.

Please join me in honoring Lt. Colonel Willard Shepard for his many years of distinguished service to our country, as a United States Air Force Pilot, and for his unwavering commitment to our young people and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen. They are a group of 26 named and listed landscape artists who have been called ``The Last Great American Art Movement of the 20th Century.'' These self-taught and self-mentoring African American Artists were able to define themselves against the many racial and cultural barriers of the time in which they painted, and created a body of work of over two hundred thousand paintings.

The Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen, from Fort Pierce, Florida, began painting in the early 1950's and created large numbers of relatively inexpensive landscape paintings, which were done using construction materials rather than art supplies. As no galleries would accept their works, they sold them in towns and cities and along roadsides throughout Florida, often still wet, out of the trunks of their cars.

Following the death of one of their members in 1970, the remaining members created fewer works and productivity waned. However, after being re-discovered in the 1990's, they have become celebrated for their idyllic landscapes of natural settings in Florida.

In 2004, the 26 Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen were inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame. In addition to becoming part of Florida's culture and history; they have also received international recognition.

Eight of the original members are now deceased, but the remaining members, most now into their 70's and 80's, continue to paint to this day. Despite racial barriers and obstacles, their success and longevity are remarkable.

Please join me in honoring the Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen, for their dedication to their craft and their contributions to art in the state of Florida and around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 14-year-old Elijah Wells for his artistic contributions to Miami Dade County.

This year, Elijah Wells successfully submitted his first short film, ``The Gift,'' to the American Black Film Festival Community Showcase. He wrote, casted, and directed ``The Gift'' on his own and his short film will be screened at the American Black Film Festival Community Showcase on June 24, 2012.

Aside from successfully completing his first short film, Mr. Wells has accomplished many other feats. In November 2011, he received ``The Clint Eastwood Award.'' This award honored his achievements in acting and directing. Mr. Wells has also had the opportunity to hone his directing skills under the mentorship of film visionaries, like Reggie Scott and Steve Drayton.

Mr. Wells' artistic and directorial works, especially his film ``The Gift,'' are not only personal accomplishment but one the entire community can be proud of. The American Black Film Festival Community Showcase is sponsored by the Southeast Overtown/Parkwest Community Redevelopment Agency, which fosters and displays the talents of our youth. Mr. Wells' accomplishments are a testament to the agency's importance in our community.

Mr. Wells' passion for taking pictures, which started at the age of ten, has developed into a defined career path that promises to take him to places and heights beyond his imagination.

Please join me in honoring Elijah Wells for his artistic accomplishment and his unwavering commitment to the advancement of the arts in the community of Miami Dade.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of South Florida's most respected and heralded religious leaders, Dr. Gloria Williams. She is the Pastor and co-founder of Jesus People Ministries Church International Incorporated, located in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Dr. Williams is a woman who walks in faith and higher education. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University. Dr. Williams has received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from All Nations for Christ Institute International; previously affiliated with Oral Roberts University. Her administrative gifts and skills have proven vital to the Church and her ministry.

Dr. Williams is the Chief Overseer of the Right Connection Association and the executive producer and host of the weekly broadcast ``Right Connection,'' which is seen nationally and worldwide. The broadcast affords Dr. Williams the opportunity to challenge and encourage her followers to develop and mature in their faith. She has been affectionately deemed a Christian role model and her dynamic character has proven to be an asset and an inspiration.

Dr. Williams is the proud mother of daughter Richelle and wife of the late Bishop Isaiah S. Williams, Jr.

Please join me in honoring Dr. Gloria Williams Pastor and co-founder of Jesus Ministries Church International for unwavering faith and commitment to her congregation and to her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of South Florida's most respected and heralded religious leaders, District Missionary Sarah Nell Harris Vangates, as A.M. Cohen Temple Church of God in Christ celebrates the District Missionary's service to the South Miami District.

District Missionary Vangates has been a member of A.M. Cohen Temple Church of God in Christ for over forty-five years. As a committed member of the Church, the Missionary has served as President of the Young Women's Christian Council, 50 Women in White Program, Mother's Board, and Pastor's Aide Board. She is currently serving as the Sunday School Superintendent for A.M. Cohen Temple.

District Missionary Vangates has also demonstrated her commitment to Christ's ministry through her service to the South Miami District as District Missionary. As a member of the South Miami District, she has served as the Sunday School Field Representative, Facilitator to the Missionary in Training Institute, and a Member of the Examining Board of the Women's Department.

District Missionary Vangates was born in Naples, Florida to the late Herschel and Clara Mae Harris. She later moved to Miami, Florida, where she attended and graduated from Miami Northwestern Senior High School in 1959. The District Missionary then married Alfred Vangates of Monticello, Florida. Together, they have five daughters: Regina, Renee, Renell, Reva. and Ronda.

Please join me in honoring District Missionary Sarah Nell Harris Vangates of A.M. Cohen Temple Church of God in Christ for her unwavering faith and commitment to her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor a remarkable student and young adult, Ms. Christina Renea Walker, who through hard work and dedication has received acceptance letters to thirteen colleges and universities. She has also been awarded 268,000 dollars in academic scholarships and three thousand dollars in community scholarships.

The colleges and universities are: University of Miami, Lynn University, University of South Florida, University of Florida, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, Tuskegee University, Howard University, Campbell University, New York Institute of Technology, St. Johns University, Mills College and the University of San Francisco.

Ms. Walker, who will be entering college as a sophomore in the fall, attended Northwestern Senior High School, in Miami, during her senior year, in order to take dual enrollment courses. These courses allowed her to take college courses early, under a program sponsored by Florida International University. The program is called ``The Education Effect'', and is funded by a one million dollar grant provided by Chase Bank.

Ms. Walker has chosen to attend the prestigious University of Florida. It is close to home, but far enough where she can grow into an independent young adult. She also says ``It is great to be a Florida Gator!''

While there have been many people who have played an important role in her life, Ms. Walker says her mother is her true inspiration. A strong, independent woman, who has taught her to love everyone; instilled Christ in her at a young age; taught her to believe in herself and trust God through every obstacle she faces.

Please join me in congratulating Ms. Christina Renea Walker, a shining example and motivating force for all young people who seek to better themselves through education and serve their communities.