Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor our veterans.

There are no words that can express the gratitude that the American people owe all of the men and women who choose to serve the United States of America in the armed services. We are all humbled by the sacrifice they make--knowingly putting themselves in harm's way while also leaving loved ones behind. This commitment is the mark of America's finest citizens and those who answer to a higher calling. Allow me to honor, from the United States Coast Guard: Sammie Stewart, Jr., Steven Bernard Rising, Omar K. Payton, Shane J. Nicholas, Randy Kevin Jopp, Jr., David R. Hetticher, Andrea Naomi Johnson, Christopher Daniels, William O'Boyle, Jacob G. Bryan, Sandy Guerra, Eric Driggs; from the National Security Agency: Allyn C. McKinney.

Finally, it is not our tanks, weapons or machinery that make the United States Armed Forces the best military in the world. It is our young men and women who serve professionally with honor and distinction. If not for these exemplary citizens, freedom and the American way of life would not be safe and secure. For these sacrifices, we respect and should commend their service everyday of the year. Congress has designated, November 11th 2012 as the official day showing our gratitude.

Please join me in honoring these American heroes for their bravery and sacrifice in defense of this great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor our veterans.

There are no words that can express the gratitude that the American people owe all of the men and women who choose to serve the United States of America in the armed services. We are all humbled by the sacrifice they make--knowingly putting themselves in harm's way while also leaving loved ones behind. This commitment is the mark of America's finest citizens and those who answer to a higher calling. I would like to honor, from the Navy:

Michelle Luz Trinidad, Stephanie Tillman, Andrew Kissoon, Gary Austin, Emmanuel Hernandez, Carlo D. Casanova, Kristie Hamm, Relles Campos, Raymond Farmer, Peter Calhoun, Ruben Gallardo, Percy Fernando Monroe, Jeffrey W. Butler, Jr., Marquais Rashann Bellamy, Marcus M. White, John C. Carter, Jr., Michael C. Thompson, Frederick Alan Edwards, Kenyatta Bennett, Jamie Shire, Cameron Zbikowski, Sam Owens, Neville Bain, Alvine Burke, Freddie Berrios, Janette Ramos Chandler, Rafael Trinchet, Henry Elam, Willie B. Taylor, Mae Christian, Randolph Mobley, John M. Locklier, Charles W. Wright, Brian F. Kipp, David Nunez, Ben Rape, Stephanie Tillman, James F. Wilson Jr., Jackie Bernard Singleton, Richard Victor Powell, Mary Lesic, Angus Laney, Rock Daze, Franklin Johnson;

Finally, it is not our tanks, weapons or machinery that make the United States Armed Forces the best military in the world. It is our young men and women who serve professionally with honor and distinction. If not for these exemplary citizens, freedom and the American way of life would not be safe and secure. For these sacrifices, we respect and should commend their service everyday of the year. Congress has designated, November 11th 2012 as the official day showing our gratitude.

Please join me in honoring these American heroes for their bravery and sacrifice in defense of this great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor our veterans.

There are no words that can express the gratitude that the American people owe all of the men and who choose to serve the United States of America in the armed services. We are all humbled by the sacrifice they make--knowingly putting themselves in harm's way while also leaving loved ones behind. This commitment is the mark of America's finest citizens and those who answer to a higher calling. I would like to recognize, from the Army:

Mona Figueroa, Julie Chery, Amaury Acosta, Delawrence Blue, Pedro David Lanza, Jimmy Moises Palma, Edwin Garcia Llauger, Dejongh Oscar, Evette Linda Phillips, Virgil A. Lacey, Norman Cooper, William Berrios, James Hosley, Charles Henry Green, Daniel Shannon, Franklin D. Mack, Alfred E. Glass, Cleotha Brown, Thomas George Darden, Ishmnel Cash Rolle, Jr., John Steele, Bobby White, Andrew D. Reid, Neville Solomon Shorter, Richard A. Love, Jr., Rufus Lester, Hector Ramirez, Paul Murray, Alexander Flowers, Eulas C. Mitchell, Jr, Jeffrey Smith, Reinnier Ray Santos, Sunil Mittoo, Trenton A. Brewton, Travis D. Small, Bernard Carr, Michael D. Beebe, George Hill, Robert Foster, Wilfred Bedeau, Derrill Clayton White, Hector E. Valle Acosta, Alex Esteban White, Tan S. Eward, Jeffrey Allen Cooper, Robert Brown, Mose McClain, Alejandro Suarez, James Henry Sconiers, Murray Lanard, Milto N. Smith, Tomas M. Rodriguez, Rutheven Williams, Roscoe Shannon, James L. Struchins, Tommy Fortner, Jr, Elizabeth Fequiere, Andrew Nesbitt, Paul M. Wellons, Samuel C. Rhoden, Cedric Halyard, Alvin Chambers, Shirlene Ann Lassiter, Jerome Williams, Hugh H. Hood, Jared M. Dawson, Charles F. Johnson, Jr., John A. Cooper, Israel Santiago, Deoraj Ramsaran, Willie L. Thompson, Michelle R. Forbes-Brown, Benjamin B. Cowins, Sr., Rufus Curry, Jr., Michel Pellerin, Craig Coney, Abe Stein, Phillip A. Johnson, Claude Evans Adside, Jr., Debra Reed, George A. Stewart, John Garrison, Ronald Maycok, Charles Markx, Walter Hardemon, Corey Cornell Butler, Willie Brinson, Willie Thomas, Edwin Bain, Herman Williams, Albert Sturrip, Dan Brand, Jerry Williams, Esme Bain, James C. Smith, Raymond Burke, John Donald Pace, Jr., Derrick Andrea Porter, Patricia Ann Barber, James E. Johnson, Diana M. Gilliam, Carla Horne, Beatrice E. McIver, Winifred D. Browne, Evette Linda Phillips, Charlie Reid, John Williams, Simuel Williams Jr, Maurice Ratliff, Michael Johnson, Santwan Williams, Hector Rivera, Nathan Johnson, Jose Morales, Alphonso Giles, Beverly Bethel, John Riley, Karen Boyd, Edgar Childs, Virgil Lacey, Frank Rawlerson, Mariano Cruz, John Zeigler, Melissa Billingsley, Evette Phillips, George Stanley, Namon J. Gilbert Jr. Glen R. George, Allyn McKinney, Charles Green, Roger Hibard, Seitu Muhammad Kokavi, Shirl Cornwall, Richard Mason, Peter James Kendrick, Charles Mack, Ronald Maycok, John Garrison, Norman Kight, Henry Picket, Willie Thang, April Barnes, Thaddeus Pinkney, John Wallace, Walter Hodge, Luther Benjamin Smith, Charmaine Rolle, Allison Bullard, Timothy Forbes Sr., Sam Lattimore, Edilberto Martinez, Phillip Moncur, Vernette Berry Richardson, Wilfred Bedeau, Wesly Frazier, Darrell Morgan, Roland James, Henry Elam, Alfred Gordon, Peter James Kendrick, Louis Tyler, Karen A. Boyd, Frederick Edwards, Johnnie Nesmith;

Finally, it is not our tanks, weapons or machinery that make the United States Armed Forces the best military in the world. It is our young men and women who serve professionally with honor and distinction. If not for these exemplary citizens, freedom and the American way of life would not be safe and secure. For these sacrifices, we respect and should commend their service everyday of the year. Congress has designated, November 11th 2012 as the official day showing our gratitude.

Please join me in honoring these American heroes for their bravery and sacrifice in defense of this great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor our veterans.

There are no words that can express the gratitude that the American people owe all of the men and women who choose to serve the United States of America in the armed services. We are all humbled by the sacrifice they make--knowingly putting themselves in harm's way while also leaving loved ones behind. This commitment is the mark of America's finest citizens and those who answer to a higher calling. Allow me to honor, from the United States Marine Corps:

Edgar Harris, Tony Colmenares, Willie James Ferguson, Leroy McKenzie, Clifford Farrell, Jr., Peter Almeida, Jr., Joyuanki Victore, Christian Zegarra, Felix Garcia, Oscar Sola Vega, Phil Davis, Eddy J. Fonseca, Charles V. Manno, Edward Haynes, Larry Gilbert Jones, Ewin Vasco, Alexander Cruz, Philip Henry, Brent W. Quinones, Candyce Haynes, Christina Watson, Tracy Noel, Jamal Jenkins, Bentley Broussard, Jonathan M. Fuller, Javier A. Herbello, Kelvin J. Cox Jr., Kenneth del Mazo, Scott Schmidt, Richard Miller, Shane Suzuki, Jose ``Pepe'' Diaz, Rudolph Felton, Roberto Morejon, Widmayer Boucard, David Scott, Artice Shine, Jeffrey Paris, Jose Morla, Philip White, Darrell Morgan, Wesley Frazier, Johnnie Nesmith, Gary Gene Lipsomb, II, Joseph L. Cook, Jose Rojas, Manuel V. Ferrer, Walnex Philor, Leon Parker, Lonnie Lawrence, Gary Bryant, William Dozier, Peter Almeida, Jr., Patrick L. Purdy, William Draper, Milton Qaadir, Jim Gates Jr., Ed Moore, James Moore, William Parros, John L. Raineri, Jacob B. Butz, Luis Alvarez, Justin Cook, Luis Rivera, Ivens R. RestoSalgado, Eddy J. Fonseca Jr., Jonathan A. Salcedo, Ismael R. Lopez, Matthew D. Younger, Jaime M. Varillas, Carlos Santiago, Matthew J. Drumsta, John R. Hirnyk, Steven S. Vonsoosten, Eliezer Olea;

Finally, it is not our tanks, weapons or machinery that make the United States Armed Forces the best military in the world. It is our young men and women who serve professionally with honor and distinction. If not for these exemplary citizens, freedom and the American way of life would not be safe arid secure. For these sacrifices, we respect and should commend their service everyday of the year. Congress has designated, November 11th 2012 as the official day showing our gratitude.

Please join me in honoring these American heroes for their bravery and sacrifice in defense of this great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the North Miami Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) for receiving a 2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, our nation's highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for community service. MOCA's record truly embodies the essence of this award.

In addition to being a world-renowned art institution, MOCA houses various programs that support the South Florida community. MOCA has made a difference in thousands of lives through programs that help to curb drop-out rates, improve literacy, empower women and promote good behavior. For example, through ``Women on the Rise,'' MOCA trains local women artists to go into detention centers to teach female detainees how to express themselves through art. Furthermore, MOCA regularly hosts classes, workshops and seminars to promote lifelong learning.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the North Miami Museum of Contemporary Art for having received a 2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service and Director Bonnie Clearwater and her staff for their outstanding work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to declare that I stand with Susan Rice.

Just as I stood in line, and my constituents stood in line, for hours on Election Day to vote, I stand here today.

But only stronger.

Just as we stood for and with President Obama on November 6th, we stand with him today as he stands up for Susan Rice our young, gifted Ambassador.

We must continue to stand for what is right in this nation Mr. Speaker, and that is what I have come here to do.

Susan Rice deserves respect, not the questioning of her integrity.

I applaud President Obama for standing for what is right and what is just.

I applaud President Obama for standing in support of Ambassador Rice.

We all need to continue to stand for truth. We need to stand for transparency.

We do not need to impugn our officials over rumors, dangerous hearsay, or conspiracy theories.

We must not allow the post of Ms. Rice to be politicized as it has been, Mr. Speaker.

We must not allow Susan Rice to be a fall guy for the failed election bid of Mitt Romney and his Republican cronies.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Congressman Jerry Costello, my colleague on the Science, Space and Technology Committee, who is retiring at the end of this Congress after 24 years of service to Illinois' 12th Congressional district.

Congressman Costello began serving his community long before he was an elected official. As a college student, Mr. Costello helped make communities safer by working as a law enforcement officer. Though hard work, dedication and leadership, Mr. Costello earned the respect and trust of his peers, leaders throughout the State of Illinois and most importantly, his community. A few years after graduating from Maryville University, Mr. Costello was elected as Chairman of the St. Clair County Commission Board. Fittingly, when his community was searching for an exceptional leader to replace 22-term Congressman Melvin Price, they turned to Mr. Costello. Over the next 24 years, he would lead his community through some of its most challenging times.

When the Scott Air Force Base, one of his district's largest employers, was facing closure, they turned to Congressman Costello. He not only stood up for them, he delivered. In addition to convincing the Department of Defense (DOD) to keep the base open, he worked with them to bring hundreds of additional jobs to the region.

Congressman Costello has worked in a bipartisan manner to make flying safer and strengthen our nation's infrastructure. He helped write and pass legislation that has pumped billions of dollars into our nation's infrastructure, and heightened aviation industry standards. As Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Congressman Costello prioritized passenger safety, held airline companies accountable and pushed for innovations rather than accept the status-quo.

While he will be missed in Washington, through his countless contributions, his presence will linger. His wife Georgia, three children, eight grandchildren and constituents will be happy to have him home.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Costello epitomizes what it means to be a public servant. I am grateful for his 24 years of service to our nation and I encourage my fellow members of Congress to commend him for his service. Thank you Congressman Costello.

Mr. Speaker, Obama cares, and you should, too.

ObamaCare provides access to much-needed contraceptives for women.

First of all, it's my body, not yours. I alone bear the burden, pain, and joy that it brings. Please stop trying to regulate my reproductive organs. They belong to me.

Have you ever had a menstrual period? Have you ever felt unbearable pain in every bone of your body during childbirth?

Will you be there for a mother when she needs prenatal care, formula, diapers? Will you support the Head Start program? Will you focus on creating good public schools again? Will you reform foster care and stop greasing the prison pipeline with unwanted children?

There are grandmothers living in trailer parks and public housing, singlehandedly raising millions of grandchildren. Where are you when Grandmother is trying to feed Jerome, Shaquita, Pedro, Heather, and John?

The only time I see you is on the floor of the House trying to take away

Grandma's Social Security and attacking her Medicare and food stamps.

Grandma doesn't have a car so she has no ID so she can't vote.

For some reason, you care about a baby right up until the minute it is born into the world, and then you disappear and desert the children you claim to protect and love. Shame on you.

Stop the cradle-to-grave neglect and abuse. Let's create jobs, jobs, jobs for the American people. Obama cares, and so should you.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Alexandre Lopes, for being selected as the Macy's--Florida Department of Education, 2013 Teacher of the Year. Mr. Lopes embodies the merit and dedication required to lead students in today's challenging academic environment. He serves at Carol City Elementary School as a teacher in the Learning Experience Alternative Program. As an educator Mr. Lopes has dedicated his career to special needs students with communication issues. The LEAP program has allowed Mr. Lopes to express his creativity and compassion for teaching by using music and dance to progress the student's communication skills. His courage, vision and passion are contributing factors behind his emergence as a pioneer in education, community leader, and role model amongst his peers. As a former educator I am pleased to honor Mr. Lopes, and wish him the best of luck as he moves into the national competition.

Mr. Speaker, ``ObamaCare'' was coined by the Republicans to mock the wonderful Affordable Care Act passed by Congress in 2010 and signed into law by President Obama.

The recent Supreme Court decision proves that ObamaCare was the perfect nickname because President Obama cares. He cares about you. He cares about me. He cares about my friends on the Democratic side of the aisle and he cares about my friends on the Republican side of the aisle.

He cares about all Americans. President Obama cares about us, and he thinks that we should not have to worry about going broke just because someone in our family gets sick.

Because Obama cares, every American has the right to affordable health care. And yet the Republicans hate it with every fiber of their being. Why?

Don't Republicans get sick, too? Don't Republicans worry about having to file for bankruptcy just because someone in their family gets sick? Don't Republicans go to the emergency room with no insurance?

Later this week, the Republicans will vote to repeal a law that proves that Obama cares. Not ``repeal and replace,'' as they said they would do when they made their Pledge to America--just repeal. In other words, get rid of it, period.

How can the Republicans explain to their constituents the repeal of a law that affords health care for everyone? Are they trying to send a message that Republicans don't need health care?

Republicans are not robots. They get sick, they need surgery, they feel pain, they hurt, they cry, they mourn, they weep. Access to affordable health care is a basic right. It's not a Republican right, a Democratic right or an Independent right. It's a basic right for all Americans.

Hello. If you're out there somewhere in America today and you feel you don't need health care because you are invincible, well, you are not. Do you feel that the rest of us should pay your medical bills? Enough of that already.

Do you feel that those less fortunate should suffer needlessly? Then you need to pray to your God for forgiveness.

You must care. You must care about the less fortunate, the working poor, the foster child, the disabled, the elderly, the mentally ill, the homeless, those wracked with pain. And all of Congress must care.

The Affordable Care Act shows that Obama cares. He cares enough to include a provision that ensures our children can no longer be denied health care because of a preexisting condition. Obama cares enough to include a provision that allows students and young people under 26 to stay on their parents' health insurance plan no matter where they live.

Obama cares enough to add language that closes the Medicare doughnut hole so that seniors pay less for their prescription drugs. They no longer have to decide whether to fill their prescriptions or buy some food.

Obama cares enough to put in provisions that insist that insurance companies cannot drop your coverage when you get sick or that prohibit insurance companies from placing annual and lifetime limits on your health care. Life is so unpredictable.

And Obama cares enough to include a provision that prevents insurance companies from charging higher premiums for women just because they happen to be women.

The law of our land says that if you have a car you must insure that car. If you have a mortgage, you must insure that mortgage. If you have a body, insure it. Keep it healthy. Get your checkups, take your medication. What is more important to you, your luxury car, your beautiful house, or a healthy body?

Every Member of Congress has wonderful health care insurance, and our pharmacy bills are so cheap it's unbelievable. It's simply great being covered by my health care in Congress.

Shouldn't we want the same for our constituents who sent us here to serve them? Shouldn't we care?

President Obama cares. Nancy Pelosi cares. Steny Hoyer cares. James Clyburn cares. John Larson cares. Xavier Becerra cares, and I care.

Republicans out there, can you hear me?

You should make all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives care.

Contact and let them know that everyone needs the same health care amenities that they enjoy.

Don't be hoodwinked by the tax rhetoric. Listen to the facts. Read the fine print. You deserve access to affordable health care. You need affordable care.

Power to the people. Power to ObamaCare.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Miami Heat on its 2011-2012 National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship. The Miami Heat's journey to its second championship is a testament to teamwork and selflessness. In honor of their remarkable season and leadership in my community, I submit the following poem, written by Albert Carey Caswell.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to draw attention to the fact that there are only 4 days left until Federal student loan interest rates double. On July 1, the interest rate for 7 million students could rise to 6.8 percent. Failure to act and to act now would add $6.3 billion to students' debt burdens in 1 year alone.

Frankly, Madam Speaker, this rise in rates would happen at a time when our young people can least afford it. Our young people who are recent college graduates have the highest unemployment rate of any age group in the Nation, and more of them are graduating with debt than ever before. In fact, two-thirds of the class of 2010 graduated with student loan debt.

Madam Speaker, this is a real problem. It should be solved now, and it shouldn't be solved on the backs of the working class and the poor. I urge my colleagues to join me and do the right thing. Let's stop the interest rates from doubling before it's too late.

Mr. Speaker, today it is my honor to rise and recognize the contributions of Jewish-Americans to our nation. I commend President Barack Obama for designating May 2012 as Jewish Heritage Month. Also, I thank Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, my fellow Floridian, for leading the congressional effort to commemorate Jewish Heritage Month.

My relationship with the Jewish community dates back to my childhood years. It was a very different time then. While segregation and oppression were the norm, members of the Jewish community treated me and my family with love and compassion. Decades later, these guiding principles remain the same. Today, as many of my colleagues honor Jewish-Americans who have made significant contributions to our nation, I will recognize Steven Sonenreich, a leader in the healthcare industry and South Florida community.

Mr. Sonenreich has been a leader in my community for over 30 years. In addition to leading Mount Sinai Hospital, he is an advisory board member for the University of Miami School of Business's Health Administration Department and the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project. Furthermore, he serves on numerous other boards and committees.

Whether we visit hospitals as an expecting mother or for emergency purposes, we place our lives in the hands of the many healthcare professionals and we expect them to meet our needs at the highest level. Mr. Sonenreich keenly understands this. During my mother's last moments, Mr. Sonenreich ensured that I had access to her, so that I could remain by her side. His commitment to serving others and leadership are two factors accounting for his remarkable career.

After earning his Masters Degree in Business Administration at the University of Miami, Mr. Sonenreich began his health care career at Mount Sinai in 1976. During his initial 20 year tenure at Mount Sinai, he worked his way through the ranks, starting in the finance division. He was Mount Sinai's first Director of Marketing and Business Development and later was named Vice President of Administration. In 1990, he became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all the operational management of the Medical Center.

In 1996, Mr. Sonenreich left Mount Sinai for the opportunity to become Chief Executive Officer of Cedars Medical Center in Miami. Under his direction, Cedars won several awards for customer service and overall performance including Florida Medical Business Journal's Annual Healthcare Award for the Best Run Hospital and Best Hospital Administrator, Mercury Award for overall performance and the Systema Group's Consumer Opinion Award in 2000.

The Mount Sinai Medical Center Board of Trustees recruited Mr. Sonenreich back to the hospital in October 2001. Under his leadership, the hospital has won numerous awards, including the Solucient 100 Top Hospitals, designation as a UnitedHealth Premium Cardiac Specialty Center; the Clinical Trials Participation Award presented by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Excellence in Facility Expansion (Mount Sinai's cardiac catheterization lab) from South Florida Business Journal, Excellence In Health Services (Mount Sinai's Community Clinical Oncology Program) from South Florida Business Journal and Kids Crown Award--Best Place to Give Birth in Miami-Dade County and South Florida.

Mr. Steven Sonenreich remains one of our nation's most outstanding community leaders and providers of healthcare. I thank him today for his service to South Florida and our nation.

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 Moment 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 1950s 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 1990s, 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 70s and 80s, 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 the 100th birthday of Mrs. Viola Jackson, my constituent. Mrs. Jackson was born May 9, 1912 in Sharon, Taliaferro County, Georgia. She was the eleventh of thirteen children born to Tom and Mary Edwards. She has managed to outlive both her parents and siblings. Throughout her life, Mrs. Jackson has worked tirelessly to provide a better life for herself and her family.

From her childhood into her early adulthood, Mrs. Jackson worked on a farm as a tiller. However, her life would change considerably after meeting sharecropper Johnny Jackson, in 1938--a period of racial prejudice and injustice. After marrying Mr. Jackson, she continued working on the farm, where she later gave birth to Virginia Jackson on January 25, 1939, the couple's first child. In pursuit of better educational opportunities for Virginia, Mrs. Jackson sent her to live with her brother, in Miami Florida. In 1950, the Jacksons relocated to Miami, FL.

Shortly after arriving in Miami, Viola was employed by John Lieberman as a live-in housekeeper and nanny in Sunny Isles, FL. There, she worked six days a week, with only Thursdays off to spend with her family. However, her husband was gainfully employed in the saw mills of Opa-Locka as a lumberjack. Together, they saved enough money to buy their first home on Washington Street in Opa-Locka, which is located in the heart of District 17.

After years of working with the Lieberman family, Viola transitioned to the Frances Liebler family, where she worked as a housekeeper in their residence and hotel. Her work ethic and loyalty earned her a promotion as the Housekeeping Manager, a position she held until her retirement in 1965. However, she resumed working in 1973, after her love of children inspired her to launch a day care. Throughout her life, Viola was known for being more than an exceptional caretaker and employee; she was also known for her faith.

Her journey with God led her to many churches including Greater New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Greater Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, United Christian Baptist Church, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and New Christ Tabernacle Church, where Mrs. Jackson serves as Church Mother. Her faith has sustained her through 100 years of hardships, health challenges and losses. I am hopeful that she will continue to serve as a role model and an inspiration to everyone around her.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent Mrs. Viola Jackson. She's not only a treasure to my district, but also to our nation. I encourage members of Congress to join me in celebrating her 100th birthday. Lastly, I pray that she may continue to have longevity and happiness for many more years to come.