Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District, of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor Mr. Clifford Chesson a longtime Miami Dade County Public Schools Employee. I include in the Record the following proclamation in his honor:

Whereas, Mr. Chesson was an employee of the Miami-Dad

County Public Schools security team for many years;

Whereas, Mr. Chesson was a strong advocate for the safety

and well-being of Miami-Dade Public Schools' students,

faculty and staff, administrators, school board members,

employees, volunteers and vendor;

Whereas, Mr. Chesson performed his duties with dedication,

passion and integrity;

Whereas, Mr. Chesson stood up for what he believed in and

answered the call to serve our country in 1978, by joining

the United States Army, where he served 20 years, and another

five years in Army Reserve;

Whereas, Mr. Chesson dedicated his life to public service

and offered inspiration to many;

Whereas, Mr. Chesson was a man of strong faith in God, a

dedicated husband to his wife Barbara, and daughters Camille,

Shanika Chesson-Ivy and Frederica Parks; 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 and honor the late Mr. Clifford Chesson for his

commitment to his family, our community and our country.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida,

I rise today to recognize and honor Mr. Johnnie L. Williams, Jr., one of Miami's first Black business owners. I include in the Record the following proclamation in his honor:

Whereas, Mr. Johnnie L. Williams, Jr., served Miami-Dade

County with integrity and commitment to protecting and

serving its citizens for over 40 years;

Whereas, Mr. Williams was bound by his beliefs in equality,

fairness and justice for African Americans, employees of

Miami-Dade County, students and families. He generously gave

and supported various charitable organizations, including

little league teams in Opa locka, Miami Gardens and Liberty

City;

Whereas, Mr. Williams worked tirelessly to ``balance the

scales of justice.'' and ensure the safety of our youth;

Whereas, Mr. Williams was one of the first Black business

owners in Miami-Dade County, running an NFL Skycap and

Porters business;

Whereas, Mr. Williams was a member and advocate of the

Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce and served as the President of

the Orange Ridge Corporation;

Whereas, Mr. Williams served in the United States Navy, and

is a veteran of World War II; 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,

honor the life and accomplishments of Mr. Johnnie L.

Williams, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor retired mail clerk, Mr. Matthew Williams, Jr., an ardent and honorable member of the United States Postal Service for 32 years, who began his career as a truck driver before rising through the ranks to become a mail clerk. I include in the Record the following proclamation in his honor:

Whereas, Mr. Williams has received numerous awards and

accolades for his enthusiastic performance during his tenure

including perfect attendance, achieving over 1500 hours of

sick leave, and a dedication to service award;

Whereas, Mr. Williams provided an invaluable service to his

country as a member of the United States Army in both Vietnam

and Korea achieving the rank of Sergeant before being

honorably discharged in 1975;

Whereas. Mr, Williams' unwavering devotion to God has been

evidenced by his ministration as Deacon, Assistant

Superintendent of Sunday School, and Usher at Greater New

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church;

Whereas, Mr. Williams has been the loving and devoted

husband of Sandra Williams for 37 years, father of Senior

Master Chief Heerey C. Gaston, Jr., Tameka W. Jones, Monique

W. Deggins, and Matthew B. Williams, III, and grandfather of

nine grandchildren; 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,

commend Mr. Matthew Williams, Jr. for his years of commitment

and faithful service to his country, his community, and his

family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Mr. Ray Mou. I include in the Record the following proclamation in his honor:

Whereas, Mr. Ray Mou, Director General of Taipei Economic

and Cultural Office (TECO), in Miami since September 2010,

has overseen trade relations between Florida and Taiwan that

have improved by 20 percent with an average bilateral trade

volume of more than $817 Million;

Whereas, Mr. Mou has worked closely with the Taiwanese

Chambers of Commerce in Florida to explore and develop

business opportunities, such as trade missions between Miami

entrepreneurs and Taiwan;

Whereas, Mr. Mou has worked to strengthen relations between

Taiwan and Miami political and business leaders by

coordinating annual visits;

Whereas, Mr. Mou has worked to foster a relationship

between 32 universities to promote language and cultural

learning programs offered at the Taiwan Academy;

Whereas, Mr. Mou has taken an active role in Haiti's

reconstruction after the earthquake by taking part in

humanitarian aid projects of the international charity NGO

``Food for the Poor;''

Whereas, Mr. Mou has worked to educate South Floridians

about Asian culture through Chinese gourmet cuisines,

traditional artistries and Taiwanese products;

Whereas, Mr. Mou has spent the past three years working to

promote a strong and lasting business relationship not just

in South Florida but across the state; 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,

commend Mr. Ray Mou, Director General of Miami's Taipei

Economic and Cultural Office, for his commitment to our

community's economic, educational and humanitarian growth.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor Reverend Wilner Maxy, a well-respected religious leader, and dedicated community and international activist.

Reverend Maxy is one of the founding members of Emmanuel Haitian Baptist Church, in Miami, in 1973, and has been the pastor of the church since 1983. In that time, he has served as a dedicated liaison between Miami-Dade County's Haitian and Baptist communities and the local and statewide government officials. His selfless service as chairman of the Haitian Pastors Association, a member of the Board of Trustees for Baptist Health Systems, and other boards in the community show his passion for both his religion and his community.

In his 30 years of passionate leadership, Reverend Maxy has helped the Emmanuel Haitian Baptist Church grow from 200 members to over 1,300, created a scholarship for young men and women who wish to go to seminary and enter the ministry, expanded the church's outreach program to include eight churches and three schools in Haiti, as well as planned to broaden the ministry to Orlando, Pompano Beach, and South Miami.

Because of his efforts to keep crime and drugs from ruining the lives of those in his community, he has been awarded the key to the city of Miami by Mayor Manny Diaz and County Mayor Alex Alvarez. He was also given the honor of having April 1st designated as Wilner Maxy Day in the City of North Miami by Mayor Andre Pierre.

Please join me in honoring Reverend Wilner Maxy for his commitment, dedication and service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District, of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor 2012 Milken Educator Award recipient, Kevin Williams; the principal at Norwood Elementary School, in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The distinction and a $25,000 cash prize is given by the California- based Milken Family Foundation, to recognize educators across the country who have boosted student achievement.

Principal Williams has received an A-grade from the state of Florida since 2005 to 2006. Norwood Elementary School has more than 500 students, with about 25 percent enrolled in special education programs.

The Milken Educator Awards were created in 1985 by education reform leader Lowell Milken to celebrate, elevate and activate excellence in the profession. To date, more than 2,500 K-12 teachers, principals and specialists coast to coast have been honored with over $63 million in individual, unrestricted $25,000 awards. More than $135 million has been devoted to the overall program, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout the recipients' careers in education.

Please join me in honoring Norwood Elementary School Principal Kevin Williams for his commitment and dedication to educating our students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor the Mayor of the City of North Miami, Andre D. Pierre.

Mayor Pierre is a celebrated Haitian American who has received numerous commendations for his leadership, his vision and his contributions to education and the economic growth of the city, the fourth largest in Miami-Dade County and home to more than 60 thousand residents. He is also known for work with Haitian immigrants and being on the forefront of immigration reform.

Since he was elected Mayor, in 2009, the City of North Miami has received four national awards: The All-American City, Playful City 2012, Playful City 2013, and the National Medal for Museum and Library Services.

The Mayor's support of local businesses and recruitment of new restaurants, a major drug store, a large-chain grocery store and a museum, have contributed greatly to economic health of the City of North Miami.

Mayor Pierre's focus on education has resulted in hundreds of scholarships being awarded to hardworking and deserving students seeking to further their education and young adults pursuing a career in law enforcement. Without these scholarships, many students and young adults in the city might not otherwise have the means or opportunity to further their education and pursue careers.

Mayor Pierre is credited with the establishment of the North Miami Education Foundation, Incorporated, which provides scholarships through Take Stock in Children, the North Miami Adult Education Center, the Florida International University First Generation Scholarship and the North Miami Memorial Scholarship.

Please join me in honoring City of North Miami Mayor, Andre C. Pierre, for his commitment, dedication and service to his constituents, and his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend The United Ghanaians Association of South Florida (UGASF). I include in the Record the following proclamation:

Whereas, The United Ghanaians Association of South Florida

(UGASF) is celebrating Ghana's independence from British

colonial power, 56 years ago on March 6, at their annual

observance entitled ``Ghana's 56th Independence Anniversary

Gala;

Whereas, UGASF was started in 1994 to provide support and

financial assistance to bereaved Ghanaians and has grown into

a 501.3c non-profit organization that promotes the well-being

and social prosperity of Ghanaians living in the tri-county

area of South Florida (Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach

counties);

Whereas, UGASF's aim to share the unity, strength,

education and cultural diversity of Ghana (West Africa) in

South Florida has manifested into annual appearances and

performances at festivals, schools and colleges;

Whereas, UGASF's commitment to creating and expanding

economic opportunities impacts the more than four-thousand

Ghanaians and associates living in, working in and

contributing to South Florida as parents, teachers,

physicians, nurses and healthcare employees, mechanics,

business owners, students, accountants, lawyers among others;

Whereas, UGASF support of the ``One Broward Initiative,''

launched in 2001, by the Broward County Multicultural

Advisory Board, works to expand inclusion and to improve the

quality of life--economically, socially, politically, and

culturally--for Ghanaians, and all residents in Broward

County;

Whereas, UGASF's influence and charitable arm has extended

beyond U.S. borders with the adoption of a flooded village in

Northern Ghana, which it is helping to rebuild;

Whereas, UGASF has had an impact on South Florida's diverse

community and will commemorate Ghana's independence with an

elegant evening of authentic Ghanaian Culture, exquisite

dining of traditional food, drumming and dancing; 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,

commend the United Ghanaians Association of South Florida for

its commitment and dedication to equality, and racial and

cultural diversity in South Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the Florida Department of Children and Families' efforts to promote healthy eating habits and increased activity for the children of Florida. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has proclaimed June 26, 2012, as ``DCF-Make Healthy Happen Miami Day.''

Under the leadership of its program called Communities Putting Prevention to Work, DCF is dedicated to increasing health awareness in Miami Dade County. DCF is particularly focused on the health of Miami's young people. The Department of Health of Miami-Dade County was awarded 14.7 million dollars in order to fund the Communities Putting Prevention to Work Program (CPPW). The CPPW initiative seeks to boost our youth's health by instituting regulatory policies over certain foods and by encouraging more exercise.

DCF pursues its goals for Miami's children through a series of activities. Through its CPPW program, the Department of Children and Families formed a partnership with institutions, like Publix, Home Depot, Short Chef, and Johnson and Wales. Together with these institutions, the CPPW was able to provide children with hands-on experiences with healthy foods. These experiences provided these children with a realistic way of approaching healthy eating.

A community that encourages healthy lifestyles ultimately produces healthy and active citizens. Now more than ever, it is important that we provide our citizens with the resources they need to help increase their health. The DCF's ``Make Healthy Happen Miami Dade'' draws attention to initiatives taken by the CPPW and other groups to make healthy happen for Miami.

Please join me in recognizing the Department of Children and Families for its commitment to our children and increasing health in Miami Dade County.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor one of

South Florida's Drug Enforcement Agency Supervisory Special Agent Alvin N. Rollins who is retiring after 30 years of service to our country.

Special Agent Rollins began his law enforcement career on February 25, 1983, with the DEA as a Basic Agent Trainee in the Washington Field Division. In 1999, he was reassigned to the Miami Field Division as a senior investigator, where he initiated an investigation that dismantled a major drug organization operating in Opa-locka, Florida.

Special Agent Rollins career would then take him to the Caribbean where he helped to establish narcotic units for several Caribbean nations. He was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent and would later serve as a principal advisor to the U.S. Ambassador in Port au Prince, Haiti, on all counter-narcotic related matters.

After the 2004 coup in Haiti, Special Agent Rollins served as principal advisor to the incoming Marines Commander and United Nations Peacekeeping forces. He also oversaw several major operations that resulted in 18 major criminals being arrested and transported to the South District of Florida to face narcotic charges.

Special Agent Rollins was reassigned to the Miami Field Division in 2005 as the Supervisory Special Agent for the Special Support Unit responsible for Firearms, Recruiting, Demand Reduction and Training.

He is a member of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, National Association of Black Narcotics Officers, Chairperson of Haiti Committee and he is a member of the Fountain of New Life Church, where he is Chairman of the Parking Lot Ministry.

Please join me in honoring Supervisory Special Agent Alvin N. Rollins for his commitment, dedication and service to his community and our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Rhonda M. Smith, a breast cancer survivor and the founder of The Breast Cancer Partner, an organization that focuses on breast cancer recovery through health and wellness and is located in Miami, Florida.

Ms. Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. In 2010, she opened Breast Cancer Partner. Its mission is to empower breast cancer survivors to live strong, healthy and balanced lives by providing support, information, tools and resources to shepherd them through recovery. Breast Cancer Partner strives to show breast cancer survivors the paths to an integrated health and wellness lifestyle so that they can recover, restore and reenergize themselves after treatment.

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 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 Rhonda M. Smith, a breast cancer survivor and founder of Breast Cancer Partner, for her dedication and commitment to our community.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th district, of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor South Florida's Haitian Heritage Museum. I include in the Record the following proclamation:

Whereas, the Haitian Heritage Museum is an integral part of

our community, embodying and preserving Haiti's rich culture

and heritage;

Whereas, the Haitian Heritage Museum has given Haitian art

a permanent and prominent place in South Florida's art

community;

Whereas, the Haitian Heritage Museum's scholarship program

provides deserving students an opportunity to further their

education and perfect their talent as artists;

Whereas, the Haitian Heritage Museum will honor community

leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to Haitian

heritage and culture during its 9th Annual Discover Haiti

Gala on Saturday, February 23rd;

Whereas, the Haitian Heritage Museum will present the

Father Jean Juste Visionary Award, named after the visionary

leader who advocated for human rights and social justice on

behalf of Haiti's poor;

Whereas, Father Jean Juste is widely regarded as the

``Godfather'' of Miami's Little Haiti community; 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 the Haitian

Heritage Museum to South Florida:

Affirm the importance of promoting and preserving Haitian

art and culture; and

Honor the recipients of the Father Jean Juste Visionary

Award.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District, of the great state of Florida. I rise today to recognize and honor the late Haitian activist, pioneer, community leader and businessman, Viter Juste.

Mr. Juste was active in the development of Miami's ``Little Haiti'' community and helped thousands of Haitian immigrants assimilate into life in South Florida in the early 80s. As Haitian immigrants arrived and settled into South Florida, in the 80s, Juste fought against discrimination against Haitians and was successful in getting a reversal of a Miami-Dade School Board decision that prohibited the enrollment of undocumented Haitian students. He also started an adult- education program, where he taught English to new arrivals.

Mr. Juste is one of the founders and was the first chairmen of the Haitian-American Community Association of Dade, which was one of the first social-service agencies dedicated to the Haitian community.

As a businessman, Mr. Juste established one of the first Haitian- owned businesses in the community. He opened a French-and-Creole- Language records and bookstore called

Les Cousins Records and Books. He went on to publish a French-Ianguage 12-page weekly newspaper.

He was born December 15, 1924, in La Gonave, an island off mainland Haiti. Mr. Juste arrived in South Florida with his wife and children in 1973, after spending a few years in New York.

Please join me in honoring the late Viter Juste for his commitment, dedication and many years of distinguished service in Miami-Dade County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Pamela Burnett, a breast cancer survivor and the founder of The Beautiful Gate Cancer Support & Resource Center in Miami, Florida.

Ms. Burnett was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. In 2005, she started holding support group meetings out of her home for African- Americans battling cancer. A year later, in 2006, Ms. Burnett opened the doors to the Beautiful Gate Cancer Support & Resource

Center. Its mission is to provide African-Americans with the support they need to survive this illness. The center also services the community by increasing cancer awareness amongst African-Americans in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

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 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. There are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

I am honored to recognize Pamela Burnett, breast cancer survivor and founder of The Beautiful Gate Cancer Support & Resource Center, for her dedication and commitment to our community.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District, of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor one of South Florida's most respected educators, Ms. Rhoda Omega Shirley, who is retiring after thirty-three years as a teacher and District Director with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Ms. Shirley began her teaching career in 1980 as a full-time elementary school teacher. She also taught adult and secondary students part-time for eight years. Her love of teaching and fighting for educational opportunities for our children would catapult Ms. Shirley into leadership roles throughout her career. She has served as: Lead Education Specialist/Coordinator, Instructional Staffing Officer, District Supervisor Summer and Extended Year Programs, Director Area Center for Educational Enhancement (ACEE), Executive Director, and Director Summer Services/HIPPY.

Ms. Shirley believes that all communities are rooted in the values of their ancestors and cultures. She leads by example and her dedication to her profession and work with our children extends far beyond the classroom. As President of the Women's History Coalition, she fought to secure literature on the contributions of women for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and she helped to initiate a scholarship for young women from the Women's History Coalition. Ms. Shirley is also a member of the Florida Association of School Administrators and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Ms. Shirley earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Memorial College in 1980. She received her master's degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1989 from Barry University and attended Florida International University for her post graduate studies in Education Administration and Supervision.

Please join me in honoring Ms. Rhoda Omega Shirley for her commitment, dedication and service to our students and to her community.