Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and congratulate Dr. Joseph Underwood, the head of the television production program at Miami Senior High School, located in my congressional district, on being named a finalist for the Varkey Foundation 2018 Global Teacher Prize. Joe is one of 50 finalists chosen from throughout the world. This prestigious award recognizes the fundamental role that teachers play in shaping their students' lives.

Over the course of his 33-year teaching career, Joe has distinguished himself as an exemplary educator and has implemented a number of innovative tools and creative teaching techniques in his classroom. Joe has received numerous awards in his lifetime and was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2007.

As a former Florida certified teacher, it has been a privilege to see so many of my constituents educated under Joe's tutelage.

Once again, congratulations to Dr. Underwood for representing Miami- Dade County Public Schools on the world's stage. You deserve this award, Joe.

Thanks to Drake for Inspiring Students of Miami Senior High School and

the University of Miami

Mr. Speaker, speaking of Miami Senior High, students were extremely excited to receive a surprise visit yesterday from hip-hop star Drake.

He was recording his latest music video at the historic school in Little Havana and, afterward, made an unexpected $25,000 donation to Miami High. Drake also promised that every student would receive new uniforms that he designed himself.

Our wonderful superintendent of Miami-Dade Public Schools, Alberto Carvalho, thanked Drake for all that he had done to support public education and for bringing his words of encouragement to south Florida students.

But Drake did not stop there. He made another surprise visit to my alma mater, the University of Miami, where he awarded a $50,000 scholarship to Destiny James, a biology student.

Drake finished the day off by giving an impromptu performance on UM's campus. What a treat for the students.

I would like to thank Drake for his generosity and for inspiring so many students throughout my congressional district. I can safely say that they will not forget yesterday any time soon.

So go Stingarees of Miami High, and go the students of University of Miami. Go Canes.

Thank you, Drake.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I would like to highlight the 2018 Jewish Community Services of South Florida Matzah Mitzvah, which will take place on Sunday, March 25, at Temple Israel of Greater Miami.

Every year, Madam Speaker, this wonderful event brings together volunteers and staff from the Jewish Community Services to prepare and deliver Passover holiday baskets to homebound seniors and other members of the Jewish community in need.

Those who take part in the Matzah Mitzvah do far more than just deliver meals: they help foster a sense of community amongst Jewish residents of south Florida and help to ensure that everyone who observes the Passover holiday does so with a full heart.

Volunteers will start assembling the food at 9 a.m., and the delivery of the food baskets will follow at 10 a.m.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Jewish Community Services of South Florida for its dedication to creating a better and more inclusive community. I also encourage everyone in south Florida to come out this March 25 to Temple Israel of Greater Miami at 9 a.m. and take part in the 2018 Matzah Mitzvah.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow for morning-hour debate and 10 a.m. for legislative business.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2646) to reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their support for this measure and for their leadership in helping to bring H.R. 2646, the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act, to the floor today.

I also want to thank my friends and colleagues Nita Lowey, Ted Deutch, Hal Rogers, and Adam Schiff for joining me in introducing this bill.

This is a strong bipartisan bill that underscores the importance of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in helping both of our nations work toward achieving shared goals of security and stability in the Middle East.

It acknowledges what we have all known for many years, and that is that His Majesty and the kingdom are indispensable allies in the fight against radicalism and terror in the region.

Jordan and its military have played important roles in many of our counter-ISIS operations, and in many ways our relationship with Jordan has served as a force multiplier and has allowed the coalition to make all the positive gains that we have made over the past year or so.

But that would have not been possible without a robust foreign military financing--FMF--program that we have in place with our allies in Jordan. That is why in 2015, Mr. Speaker, I introduced and the President signed in 2016 the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act.

This bill authorized the administration to enter into a memorandum of understanding--MOU--with Jordan.

Why?

To increase our military cooperation with Jordan and to provide the kingdom with increased FMF assistance.

It also allowed Jordan to be included in a list of close and trusted allies that are eligible for streamlined and expedited defense sales.

Why is that important?

Because Jordan is on the front lines in the fight against terror and we rely heavily on Jordan's cooperation.

That bill also authorized the administration to increase our economic support for the kingdom. We recognize the great contributions that Jordan has made in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. Since the Assad regime began its campaign of destruction, murdering over half a million people in the process, millions of Syrians have fled their war- torn nation. Hundreds of thousands, if not over a million, Syrians have crossed over the border into Jordan seeking refuge from the fighting. For a country of just a few million in population, an influx of this magnitude would strain the government's already limited resources.

Yet, Jordan recognized the need to provide refuge to those fleeing the murderous Assad regime and its cronies; the Putin regime; and Iran and its proxy, the terror group Hezbollah. We, in return, recognized the strategic importance of Jordan's security and stability. That is why we must ensure that the kingdom does indeed have the resources that it needs, both in the fight against terror but also in support of the larger refugee population.

That memorandum of understanding was signed 3 years ago this week, and it ran through fiscal year 2017. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, Jordan's current and future security and stability are far from guaranteed. Most of the refugees remain, and despite having made great progress in defeating ISIS, the terror threat is far from being eliminated.

That is why I authored this bill before us today, along with this bipartisanship coalition of colleagues, to extend the provisions of the original United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act for another 5- year period through 2022.

We need to enhance Jordan's military capacity and its local economy significantly, and it is my hope that our two governments will soon enter into a renewed memorandum of understanding--MOU--at an increased level that meets the needs of the kingdom.

In addition to extending the provisions of the Defense Cooperation Act, this bill provides for the establishment of a Jordanian Enterprise Fund. An enterprise fund would attract private investment and help entrepreneurs and small businesses create jobs in a way that would foster sustainable economic development in Jordan for the long term and in a self-sustaining fashion.

Mr. Speaker, Jordan's security and Jordan's stability, they are both vital not just for our ally, but they are vital for the region and for our own national security interests. It is vital that we send a strong bipartisanship message of support. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), our esteemed chairman, and I ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1997--the Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act--offered by our Foreign Affairs Committee colleague from Pennsylvania, Brenden Boyle.

This bill focuses on how the U.S. and Ukraine can work together to address cyber threats and how the U.S. can help improve Ukraine's domestic cybersecurity capabilities.

But it also serves as a reminder to this body, and especially to this administration, that we need to work to improve our own cybersecurity defenses and we need to hold those who target us accountable.

Mr. Speaker, the events in Ukraine that spurred the necessity for Mr. Boyle's bill were a harbinger of things to come for the United States.

Ahead of the 2014 Presidential elections in Ukraine, Russian or pro- Russian elements hacked into Ukraine's Central Election Commission in a series of attacks in an attempt to undermine the results and stir up unrest throughout the country.

Then in December 2015, Putin-backed hackers attacked Ukraine's infrastructure, compromising three energy distribution companies, leaving nearly a quarter of a million people without electricity for several hours.

Imagine being without electricity during this period, when the daily average high temperature in Ukraine in December is below freezing.

Those were not the last of the attacks against Ukraine orchestrated by Putin.

But they were, perhaps, practice runs for what Putin had planned for the U.S. and others.

Because true to form, Putin then targeted the U.S. electoral system in 2016 the same way he targeted Ukraine's in 2014.

This is not in dispute--yet for whatever reason, we were ill prepared to prevent it, and the administration has been deficient in our response to hold this meddling accountable.

So while I fully support this measure and I urge my colleagues to do the same, I also urge my colleagues and the administration to take action against the totality of Russia's illicit activity aimed at us and our like-minded allies.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in recognition of Ofelia Ruder, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday this May.

Ofelia Ruder is the executive director of the Cuban Hebrew Congregation, a religious organization in my congressional district that was dedicated to providing a home for Jews coming out of Cuba.

Like me and my family and so many others, Mr. Speaker, Ofelia Ruder was forced to flee Castro's brutal tyranny. In 1960, she arrived in the United States, this great land of opportunity, with her husband and two boys. Soon thereafter, sadly, she lost her husband to cancer and was faced with a challenge of raising her two small children by herself. They both eventually became dedicated civil servants working to improve our south Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, in the 50 years that Ofelia Ruder has served at the synagogue, she has touched the lives of so many and has been a beacon of hope for all those who know her. Her work has earned her many awards and recognitions for her contributions to our county, to the Cuban Hebrew Congregation, and to Israel. I am very thankful for Ofelia Ruder's service.

``Feliz cumpleanos,'' ``happy birthday,'' Ofelia.

Honoring Palmetto Bay Native, Miki Erez

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Palmetto Bay resident Miki Erez, a constituent of my congressional district who recently competed in the 2018 Fitbit Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.

Miki was injured while serving in the Israeli Air Force during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where he suffered multiple spinal injuries. Despite three spinal operations over an 18-month period, Miki never let his injuries slow him down.

Miki's experiences led him to create a revolutionary home training system for wheelchair users called Wheelchair Fitness Solutions. This system, the first of its kind, was designed specifically for disabled individuals.

Miki also participates in a range of activities in south Florida, including wheelchair basketball and swimming, as well as contributing to the spinal cord injury community and veterans associations. Forty years later, his injuries have not prevented him from being an active and inspiring member of our south Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent people like Miki who inspire others each and every day.

Congratulations to Miki Erez.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross South Florida.

The Red Cross opened its first south Florida chapter in 1918 in order to meet the demands of World War I. In the century since, its wonderful volunteers and trained personnel have valiantly responded to our most critical needs during national disasters and other catastrophes.

While this organization has significantly grown and expanded into five chapters, it still has remained true to its core mission, which is to be a vital source of relief for disaster victims while helping to prevent, to prepare for, and to respond to emergencies across 13 counties.

Mr. Speaker, by caring for the most vulnerable members of our society, the local Red Cross chapter has become a cornerstone of our south Florida community. So today I would like to congratulate all of the staff and the volunteers of the South Florida Red Cross for a century of dedication of service and of excellence.

Thank you for serving as stewards of the Red Cross legacy and for continuing to provide compassionate care to all who need it.

Congratulations to all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Grameen America for opening a new facility in Miami, and to recognize its president and CEO, Andrea Jung.

Grameen America is a nonprofit microfinance organization that, for over 10 years, has been dedicated to helping women in poverty create and expand small businesses in their communities.

Last month, Grameen opened its first branch in Miami, where it hopes to serve 7,000 women over the next 5 years and disburse more than $21.5 million in loans. What a difference that will make.

Mr. Speaker, today, sadly, more than 20 percent of women in my county--Miami-Dade County--are living in poverty. These loans will empower them to become active players in strengthening south Florida's economy.

This organization is spearheaded by Andrea Jung, who, from a young age, understood the important value of empowering women to become financially independent.

As a Chinese immigrant in Toronto, Andrea' grandmother received a loan that changed her family's history, as the loan helped Jung's grandmother to open her own hair salon.

Two generations later, after attending Princeton, Andrea served over a decade as CEO and chairman of Avon Products, a giant in the field of beauty products.

Andrea has been ranked among the top leaders on lists such as Fortune magazine's ``Most Powerful Women in Business'' and ``Most Powerful Women in the World,'' and the Financial Times' ``Top Women in World Business.''

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud of the work of Andrea and Grameen America in what they are doing. They are giving women in need the ability to improve the lives of their own and their families.

The opening of this new branch is an exciting opportunity. I look forward to working with Andrea to help women in our south Florida community.

Supporting the 8th Annual Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism

Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage my south Florida community to take part in the 8th annual Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism. This event will take place on Saturday, January 27, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

According to the CDC, over 3 million individuals in the United States are impacted by an autism spectrum disorder. There have been numerous dramatic scientific advances in our understanding of autism, but we must continue making progress toward effective treatments and eventually, yes, a cure.

The WalkAbout Autism will bring together families, parents, caregivers, and friends to raise awareness and resources for the south Florida autism community. More importantly, every donation made will stay in our local community and will be used to provide classroom equipment, employment services, new adaptive technologies, and more to those impacted by this disorder.

This walk also helps fund essential educational opportunities, like special needs programming at local schools and the Marino Campus, whose postsecondary education program helps young adults with autism bridge the gap between high school and employment.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Dan Marino Foundation for all of its hard work to make this walk so successful, and this year will be no different.

Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to participate in this walk for a great cause at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, January 27, at 8 a.m.

Celebrating City Year Miami

Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the 2018 Miami Creator's Ball that will take place at LMNCTY on Friday, January 26 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of City Year Miami.

City Year volunteers, in their distinctive red jackets, have become a fixture at most of our Miami schools. This wonderful organization connects mentors with students in underserved schools who are at risk of dropping out.

City Year Miami members have served more than 225,000 students and have given more than 2 million hours of service to our local schools, and the results speak for themselves. City Year has not only helped more of Miami's at-risk students graduate on time, but it has played a key role in ensuring that more than 80 percent of Miami-Dade students earn their high school diplomas--Simply amazing. Furthermore, 90 percent of Miami teachers say that City Year members help their students improve their overall academic performance.

As a former Florida certified teacher, it fills me with great pride to encourage everyone in our community to come to LMNCTY in Miami-Dade County on Friday, January 26 to celebrate City Year Miami's 10th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, the Western Hemisphere is set to see many key Presidential, parliamentarian, and municipal elections this year, and those will have far-reaching implications.

Sadly, one place where we know we won't see elections is in my native country of Cuba. The Cuban people continue to be denied the right to choose their own leaders. The system in Cuba is a farce. The President of Cuba--using that term loosely--is selected by the National Assembly, and the National Assembly is selected by the regime in what can only be described as a circle of corruption.

Raul Castro claims that he will step down and allow for a transition of power in April. The reality is, even if there is a so-called transition, the balance of power will remain with Raul Castro and the Cuban people will continue to suffer.

The U.S. must not give Castro any concessions until we see the regime meet the basic conditions laid out in our laws, U.S. law. We want to help the people of Cuba work toward freedom of expression; freedom of assembly; and free, fair, and transparent elections.

Then there is Castro's protege in Venezuela: Maduro. Venezuela is set to hold elections this year, but with Maduro in power, there is little that we can expect. Even if elections are held, Mr. Speaker, we know that it will be a fraudulent process, just as the municipal elections were last year.

Maduro's grip on the supreme court and the supreme electoral tribunal make it impossible for the voice of the people to be heard. The administration has, thankfully, taken action against Maduro regime officials, but there is so much more that we can do, Mr. Speaker. There is a severe food and medicine shortage in Venezuela as a result of Maduro's failed and oppressive socialist policies.

That is why Eliot Engel and I introduced and the House passed last month the Venezuelan Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act. Our bill mandates a strategy from the USAID to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Venezuela. The bill also aims to fight widespread corruption among Venezuelan governmental officials. I hope that our colleagues in the Senate will take action and pass this measure so we can get help to these individuals rapidly.

Mr. Speaker, Brazil is another country that has important Presidential elections this year. With public opinion at an all-time low, increasing public debt, and high-profile corruption allegations reaching the highest levels in Brazil, the country is at a crossroads.

In December 2016, the Department of Justice reached a plea agreement with Brazilian conglomerate, Odebrecht, for at least $3.5 billion in global penalties to resolve charges of bribery and what has amounted to be the largest case of its kind in history.

Last January I wrote a letter to then-Attorney General Lynch urging the DOJ to disclose the names of the officials referenced in the Odebrecht case. I again followed up this month, but, unfortunately, the Department of Justice will not disclose the names of officials in Latin America that it knows to have been involved in these corruption schemes. It is very troubling because many of these officials could very well be standing for elections in the region this year.

Mr. Speaker, we worked so hard over the years to help root out corruption in these countries, and it would be a shame to set progress back if these corrupt officials are allowed to continue to act with impunity.

We will also see critical Presidential elections in Colombia this year. Colombia is still at a pivotal point in the aftermath of the failed agreements between the government and the terror group, FARC. Colombia still has a way to go in bringing justice to the victims of the FARC. With members of the FARC, a terror group, aspiring to government positions, I worry that FARC terrorists will soon be elected officials. Their so-called peace deal allows these terrorists to run for public office.

Mr. Speaker, as you can see, this year will be a crucial year. It is crucial for the United States to be engaged and for election observation missions to monitor the electoral process closely to ensure that they are indeed free, that they are fair, and that they are transparent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and recognize the president and CEO of United Way of Miami-Dade County, Maria Alonso.

The United Way of Miami-Dade is an organization committed to helping those most in need to lead successful lives. As its new president and CEO of the United Way chapter of Miami-Dade, Maria will continue to build on its mission of changing lives through education, financial stability, and health.

For more than 3 decades, Maria has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others. Ms. Alonso has also chaired numerous south Florida institutions, such as the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and served on the boards of The Miami Foundation, Camillus House, the Miami-Dade College Foundation, the March of Dimes, and Teach For America.

Maria's vision of a stronger and united Miami is not only inspiring, but the very foundation of the work of the United Way of Miami-Dade that it brings to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to represent individuals like Maria, and I thank her for this invaluable work to empower individuals to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Mr. Speaker, as we observe Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I would like to recognize organizations in my home district of Miami that are working to put an end to this modern day slavery.

As a tourist destination and a gateway to the Americas, south Florida is a preferred spot for criminals to commit these types of outrageous human rights violations. But thanks to organizations like Kristi House and The Women's Fund of Miami-Dade, there is a critical campaign afoot to bring public awareness and to stop this terrible scourge.

St. Thomas University has created the Human Trafficking Academy, which offers training and technical assistance to law enforcement, lawyers, and the general public.

Resources like the Human Trafficking Miami Hotline, led by our esteemed Miami-Dade State attorney's office, serves victims and survivors of human trafficking by encouraging calls to 305-350-5567.

We are also blessed to have devoted law enforcement officers who are committed to a zero tolerance campaign to protect victims, to prosecute and dismantle traffickers.

As you can see, Mr. Speaker, south Florida is dedicated to fighting this crime. A future free of human trafficking is out there, and I urge every American to make that a reality.

Mr. Speaker, we will all certainly miss the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi). He is a wonderful Member, and we have enjoyed his service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, last night, a U.S. District Court Judge ordered the administration to continue accepting renewal applications for DACA recipients. Although this is welcome news, this should not undercut the urgency for us here in Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution to shield our DREAMers from deportation.

This week, I, again, had the great honor of meeting another great group of bright and hardworking young immigrants from my district whose DACA permits will expire in the coming weeks and the coming months. Despite their circumstances, despite living in fear and uncertainty about what their future holds, each one of these individuals has demonstrated great resolve and perseverance to continue the fight.

They visit Members of Congress, they share their unique stories, they provide the facts about their contributions in our communities, and they implore us to give them the opportunity to stay in what they consider to be their home, the United States.

Our DREAMers have suffered long enough, Mr. Speaker, and it is time that we act and take this issue to the finish line. Human lives are, indeed, at stake. Our DREAMers can't live from court decision to court decision.

As Congress has returned this week to begin our second session, I am here, once again, to urge us all to bring to the floor a legislative solution to give our DREAMers the opportunity to work here, to study here in this great country that they know as home. I am confident that we have the votes, Republicans and Democrats, for the House and the Senate to pass this permanent legislative fix. We can, and we must, make this happen now. Let us not wait any longer.

Celebrating the Groundbreaking for the St. Thomas University Gus

Machado School of Business

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Thomas University as it breaks ground on January 24 on the new home for the Gus Machado School of Business. This new facility will empower St. Thomas University to continue its decades-long commitment to providing an excellent, yet affordable, business education to students in south Florida.

The new business school complex will include a state-of-the-art trading room, cybersecurity center, an entrepreneurship and innovation hub, and many other more exciting spaces. It will also empower the business school to offer 48 undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Most importantly, with its expanded classrooms and robust technology infrastructure, this new facility will keep St. Thomas at the forefront of business education and will enable the university to continue preparing new generations of south Florida business leaders.

I thank Gus Machado for his generous gift and every member of the St. Thomas family who has worked so hard to make this dream a reality.

Recognizing the Legacy of Parker Thomson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Parker Thomson, a renowned attorney and civic leader from Miami who recently passed at the age of 85. Mr. Thomson was known for his work defending the First Amendment during his time with his law firm, Paul & Thomson.

Parker was a leader in advocating for our south Florida environment, involved in cases to protect the Everglades and our pristine beaches.

As the founding chair of the Miami-Dade Performing Arts Center Trust, Mr. Thomson helped lead the charge for the creation of the state-of- the-art Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Parker's commitment to his community was also visible through his advocacy for The Underline project to renovate public spaces in Miami, which is led by his daughter, another pillar of our community, new generation, Meg Daly.

Mr. Thomson represented the spirit of hard work and served as a mentor to coworkers and friends. Parker Thomson has left a legacy of service to his community, one that future generations should seek to emulate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Isabel Castano-Lugo, who will turn 112 years young on January 11. Isabel, a supercentenarian, is one of only a handful in the Nation who has lived through some of the brightest times and darkest chapters in our history.

Born in 1906, in Manizales, Colombia, Isabel was one of 13 brothers and sisters. At age 41, Isabel married and had 2 sons, Omar and Danilo Lugo. Because of the increasing violence in her home country and the kidnapping of her husband, Isabel began a new life with her children in the United States in 1970, and, for 26 years, she resided in my district in beautiful Miami Beach.

Throughout her long and distinguished life, Isabel has never ceased placing the needs of others before her own. Isabel has served as a strong advocate for many important issues and organizations, such as the Jewish Community Center of Miami Beach, and has continued to serve as a voice for the voiceless to this day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this historic birthday with Isabel, who is the oldest living person in the State of Florida.

Congratulating Coach Mark Richt

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mark Richt, head coach of the Miami Hurricanes football team on being named the Walter Camp 2017 Coach of the Year and the ACC Coach of the Year.

In only two seasons at the helm, Coach Richt has created a winning environment at my alma mater, the University of Miami. This season, the Hurricanes won their first ACC Coastal Division title and ended a 7- year losing streak against rival Florida State University.

Coach Richt's success on the field this past year also earned him two notable accolades. He is the first Miami Hurricane's coach to be named ACC Coach of the Year and only the second UM coach to receive the Walter Camp award. Coach Richt is truly a phenomenal leader, and I am confident that he will continue to guide UM's football program to greater victories in the years to come.

Once again, ``congratulations,'' ``felicidades,'' to Coach Richt on your success this last season, and ``Go Canes.''

Congratulating Coach Jim Morris

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Jim Morris on celebrating his 25th and final season as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. Coach Morris has dedicated his life to college baseball. He has won over 1,500 Division 1 games, the fifth most in the history of the sport.

During his tenure, the University of Miami, my alma mater, qualified for the College World Series more times than any other baseball program throughout the country, and he led the team to two national championships. Coach Morris has also been named National Coach of the Year three times.

Coach Morris' outstanding leadership for the past 25 years has left a positive and lasting impact on the University of Miami. I am confident that this historic legacy will continue to inspire and will continue to shape Hurricane baseball in the years to come.

Once again, ``congratulations,'' ``felicidades,'' to Coach Morris on a long and distinguished career.

``Go Canes.''

Mr. Speaker, this Friday, January 12, marks the eighth anniversary of the devastating earthquake that took the lives of 250,000 Haitians and left unimaginable destruction. Local south Florida organizations, led by Haitian Women of Miami, will hold a silent march at 4 p.m. this Friday to mark the occasion, walking from Northwest 62nd Street to North Miami Avenue to the Little Haiti Cultural Center.

These past 8 years, the people of Haiti have shown incredible resolve, even after being hit by Hurricanes Matthew and Irma recently, and, sadly, there is still much work to be done, Mr. Speaker.

Many Haitians came to the United States after these natural disasters seeking safety and security. Sadly, the administration terminated the Temporary Protected Status, TPS, to these individuals, forcing them to return to a devastated Haiti that is still struggling to rebuild.

As we mark this sad anniversary, we must reaffirm our commitment to helping Haiti move forward, and that must start by calling upon the administration to reverse its decision to terminate TPS for Haiti.