Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize an innovative journalist, Jamie Dupree, who is an example of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Jamie is a familiar face to all of us in the Capitol, covering the goings-on and not-goings-on of Congress. However, he was stricken with Tongue Protrusion Dystonia, which left him unable to speak--a radio reporter unable to speak.

Never one to let adversity get him down, Jamie enlisted the help of a company named CereProc, which, using his old audio archives, built a Jamie Dupree voice app. When paired with a text-to-speech program, Jamie will be able to type a radio story, and the program will generate a recorded report in his new voice.

Mr. Speaker, Jamie Dupree is an example for every American who has been afflicted with disease. Tenacious, intelligent, determined, he is a credit to his esteemed and essential profession, the media, and to his organization, the Cox Media Group.

Way to go, Jamie Dupree. We are all with you, buddy.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I met with Victor Cuadras and Zayda Hernandez, two young Nicaraguan student leaders who bravely protest the abuses and violence of the Ortega regime.

Knowing that they could face trumped-up charges upon their return to Nicaragua, Victor and Zayda feel a unique sense of responsibility to come here to Washington to advocate for justice and liberty for their homeland.

They represent the voice of the Nicaraguan people, old and new generations, who desire nothing more than a free and democratic country where one can be prosperous and live without fear of repression. What a concept.

And we must listen to their pleas, Mr. Speaker.

Countless Nicaraguans are on the front lines, as you can see on this poster, confronting the brutality of the Ortega regime day after day.

Over 120 Nicaraguans and one U.S. citizen have been killed at the hands of this murderous regime in just the past weeks. Over 1,000 Nicaraguans have been injured, hundreds continue to disappear.

Mr. Speaker, I was on the floor yesterday, and here I am again for the fourth time since the regime's crackdown on the Nicaraguan people began on April 18, because I believe that it is vital--now, more than ever--for the United States to support the people of Nicaragua in its fight to reestablish democratic order. We must let the people know that they are not alone.

Earlier this week, I was joined by Republicans and Democrats, Representatives and Senators, in urging the administration to sanction two of Ortega's many thugs: Francisco Lopez, head of ALBANISA, for money laundering and corruption; and Francisco Diaz, who leads the National Police, for orchestrating the repression and the killings of Nicaraguans.

But there are so many others who must be sanctioned, including Gustavo Porras, head of the National Assembly; Sonia Castro, Minister of Health; Roberto Lopez, president of the Social Security Institute; and Tirso Celedon, a real estate developer profiting from the Social Security Institute.

Each of these individuals is part of Ortega's inner circle and is responsible for those acts of corruption and human rights violations, all of which have been widely reported.

I urge the administration to not delay any longer and to take swift action to freeze assets, to cancel visas and to sanction to the full extent of our laws those who are responsible for so much corruption and so many murders in Nicaragua.

We have a moral responsibility to lead the way and help bring to justice those responsible for the atrocities that they see happening in that country. We need to send a clear message that the United States is paying attention and that those terrible acts will not go unpunished.

Mr. Speaker, this Chamber has known for a while about how troublesome the Ortega regime is, to say the least, and we have been able to lead on this issue, and I thank my colleagues for that.

In October 2017, this House passed my NICA Act, which seeks to leverage America's influence by conditioning our vote at any of the international financial institutions until Nicaragua takes significant steps to uphold the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions.

Unfortunately, our colleagues in the Senate have been silent--silent. I urge them to quit stalling and to take meaningful action by finally passing the NICA Act so that we can keep the pressure on that awful regime until democracy, freedom, and prosperity return to beautiful Nicaragua and these young people will be free once again.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise awareness of alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body.

Today, close to 7 million Americans live with alopecia areata, including over 1 million children under the age of 12.

Alopecia areata is a greatly unpredictable disease and currently has no known cause and no known cure.

Sadly, this disease often presents itself at an early age, with small round, smooth patches appearing on the head.

With limited treatment options, many individuals use wigs, which come at a significant out-of-pocket cost.

It was one of my constituents, Deirdre Nero, an alopecia patient, who

first brought to my attention the challenges facing the alopecia areata community. That is why I have been proud to stand with my colleague, Congressman Jim McGovern, and support H.R. 2925, legislation to provide coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to stand with alopecia areata patients across the Nation and cosponsor this commonsense and bipartisan measure.

Honoring South Floridian Larry Adams

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable south Floridian, Mr. Larry Adams.

Born in West Palm Beach in 1927 to a family of limited means, Larry understood from a young age the importance of getting an education. Larry also possessed a strong desire to serve his country during World War II. He enrolled at Purdue University as a U.S. Air Corps Cadet and served in the U.S. Air Force in Germany from 1945 to 1946.

Upon returning home, Larry attended my alma mater, the University of Miami--Go Canes--where he excelled at both sports and academics, including pitching for our university's baseball team.

In 1949, Larry began a 42-year career at Florida Power & Light Company--42 years. Starting from the bottom, he worked his way from being a lineman digging ditches and climbing power poles to being a vice president of the State's largest electric utility.

While excelling at his difficult job duties, Larry reenrolled in school while working for the company and earned a degree from Harvard Graduate Business School's Advanced Management Program for executives.

Never one to limit himself, Larry also devoted extraordinary time and effort to his community, serving in over 36 local, regional, State, and national community service organizations, which earned him many accolades.

Larry also played a founding and integral role in the development of management systems to improve the quality and cost of goods and services produced throughout our great Nation.

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan requested that certain U.S. corporations provide a team of quality management experts whose mission was to create an American Quality Management Award for Excellence program. Florida Power & Light assigned Larry to work under the direction of the U.S. Commerce Secretary and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where Larry co-chaired one of four teams of professional quality improvement management experts provided by American businesses.

Together, they developed and secured Presidential and congressional approval to create the Malcolm Baldrige Foundation Award to empower U.S. organizations to reach their goals and become significantly more competitive in national and international trade and commerce. Today, the now popular Sterling Management program is a derivative of the Baldrige program and is managed by the Governors of each of our 50 States.

At the age of 89, Larry became the recipient of the 2016 Florida Governor's Sterling Ambassador of the Year Award for successfully coaching businesses, charitable, and government agencies to learn and deploy Sterling and Malcolm Baldrige management systems during the past 25 years.

Larry has had an extraordinary life, which he has enjoyed with his wife of over 65 years, Betsy Gregg Adams. Together, they have three sons: Larry, Jr., an architect; Ron, a trial attorney; and Thad, a commercial realtor.

Congratulations to my friend, Larry Adams, for a remarkable life well lived.

Mr. Speaker, it has been 48 days since Ortega began his brutal crackdown on the Nicaraguan people. With over 110 Nicaraguans killed, including one U.S. citizen, the U.S. must take swift action to hold accountable those responsible for the bloodshed. Though I appreciate the administration's remarks condemning the violent attacks, actions must follow.

I sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging the administration to sanction two key regime operatives: Francisco Lopez, head of Albanisa, for money laundering and corruption; and Francisco Diaz, who leads the national police, for orchestrating the repression and killing of Nicaraguans.

I also urge our Senate colleagues to pass my NICA Act, to condition our vote at international financial institutions until Nicaragua takes significant steps to restore democratic order.

The U.S. has an opportunity to lead the way, Mr. Speaker. Let's do that.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Pride Month, I would like to congratulate SAVE, S-A-V-E, an organization in my congressional district that works around the clock to promote, protect, and defend LGBTQ equality.

For many years, I have been proud to partner with SAVE to create much-needed public understanding of gender identity and, hence, foster an even more inclusive south Florida community.

This Friday, June 8, this wonderful organization will host its 25th anniversary gala, where it will honor the 2018 equality champions: Miami Beach Police Chief Daniel Oates and the head of business operations of our very own Miami Heat, Eric Woolworth.

It is because of groups like SAVE, champions like Daniel and Eric, and committed individuals throughout our communities that we will guarantee that our American values of freedom and opportunity are shared by all.

So, thank you, Daniel and Eric; and thank you to my pal and SAVE's Executive Director, Tony Lima, and to the entire SAVE team for all that you do to promote LGBTQ inclusion and make our slice of paradise in south Florida an even better place in which to live.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize ``Origins,'' an exciting cultural event taking place in my Congressional district. This event begins on the evening of June 29th at the J.W. Warner House; a historic landmark in South Florida and home to the Miami Hispanic Ballet. It will be a celebration of Hispanic art, music, and cuisine.

The event will include a number of different experiences that combine the talent and creativity of people from across Latin America. Attendees will experience and indulge in Cuban art, Venezuelan music, and Ecuadorian cuisine, and so much more.

``Origins'' highlights the distinct cultures that inhabit Miami and is a great representation of the rich Hispanic heritage that helps shape the American mosaic and South Florida community we call home. Our community is strengthened by events such as these, which teach younger generations about their cultural roots and promote the countless contributions Hispanics have made to the United States.

I want to thank Catherine Alarcon for organizing ``Origins'' and I encourage everyone in our South Florida community to attend this rich celebration of Hispanic culture.

Mr. Speaker, Saturday marked one month since the massive protests in Nicaragua began against Ortega's dictatorial regime: 76 people have been killed, 868 have been injured, and 438 have been detained. Torture and degrading treatment have been reported, as well as media censorship and other forms of persecution, to prevent citizens from participating and exercising their God-given human rights.

The message is clear: The Nicaraguan people want Ortega out of power. They are calling for free, fair, and transparent elections, with credible international observers, and they want them now.

The U.S. can, and should, use all of our tools to aid the people of Nicaragua in their fight to end the repression and reinstitute democratic order.

I urge the administration to sanction those responsible for these abuses, and I will be submitting names of individuals who should be subject to immediate sanctions.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass my NICA Act now to help the people of Nicaragua.

Mr. Speaker, last week all Americans were relieved when three of our own citizens were released and returned home from North Korea. We are happy for them, for their families, and we rejoice in their reunification.

However, Mr. Speaker, this success only serves as a reminder that we have American citizens and legal permanent residents being unjustly detained elsewhere around the world, particularly in Iran. We know that the Iranian regime has played this game of detaining citizens from the U.S. and Western nations in an effort to get political and financial concessions from us. They hold these folks hostages, use them as bargaining chips, destroying lives and families in the process.

Last year, my south Florida colleague and ranking member on our subcommittee, the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, Ted Deutch, and I held a hearing titled: ``Held for Ransom: The Families of Iran's Hostages Speak Out.'' We heard from Doug Levinson, the son of Bob Levinson, who has been missing in Iran since 2007--11 years. Bob is the longest held civilian hostage in America's history. He is also a constituent of Ted's, and I know that Congressman Deutch has worked tirelessly over the years to do whatever he can to bring Bob home and to reunite him with his family.

We also heard from other individuals--Babak Namazi, whose father and brother have been unjustly detained by the Iranian regime. I have met with Babak many times, and my heart just breaks each one of those times, especially when we hear of Americans being freed from North Korea while Baquer and Siamak, his father and brother, linger in Iran's prison.

And our subcommittee also heard from Omar Zakka, son of Nizar Zakka, a U.S. legal permanent resident and hostage of the Iranian regime. Nizar has gone on hunger strikes about a dozen times since first being detained in 2015.

I am sure, Mr. Speaker, that the Iranian regime used the news of the freed Americans from North Korea as a means to torture their hostages. The mental, physical, and psychological abuse that these individuals must be undergoing is beyond comprehension.

The White House has said that this is a priority: to release all unjustly detained persons in Iran--not just American citizens and U.S. legal permanent residents, but all foreigners who are unjustly detained.

President Trump spoke about how this would not happen if he were President, so it is time for President Trump to make that a reality. He can start by urging our European friends, some of whom have citizens detained in Iran as well, to make this more of a priority for them as well and to condition any further talk on the release of all prisoners. We have to increase the pressure using all levers that we have, and we have to bring these brave individuals home.

I was pleased to see President Trump announce his intent to appoint a special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs earlier this week. This is a positive first step, Mr. Speaker. It signals an intent to make a more concerted effort to bring these Americans home.

For the sake of Nizar and his family, for the sake of Baquer and Siamak and their families, for the sake of Bob Levinson and his family, and for the sake of Princeton graduate student Xiyue Wang and his family, and for all the Americans and other foreigners being held in Iran, we need to make this a priority. We need to secure their immediate release.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Centro Mater on celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

This outstanding organization was founded by Mother Margarita Miranda Otero in 1968, with the goal of providing greatly needed childcare services to newly exiled Cuban families in Miami. Mother Otero succeeded and, over the next five decades, Centro Mater has grown and expanded its mission to provide quality healthcare and services to disadvantaged children of all backgrounds.

With centers in Little Havana and Hialeah, Centro Mater offers a positive and nurturing environment for over 1,200 underprivileged children. Centro Mater's staff also offers enriching and educational social programs for the parents of the students, such as English classes and training workshops. These life-changing services empower children and their families within our greater Miami community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Centro Mater for all that they have accomplished in the past 50 years, and I thank them for improving the lives of so many in my congressional district.

Mr. Speaker, this year, my alma mater, the University of Miami, celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

Early on, in 1943, UM recognized the need to advance the field of oceanographic research, establishing what was known then as the UM Marine Laboratory in a small boathouse on Belle Isle in Miami Beach.

Fast-forward to today. UM's Rosenstiel School has transformed into one of the world's premier marine and atmospheric research institutions, including developing state-of-the-art approaches to tackling some of today's most pressing environmental problems.

This vital research includes coral reef restoration and sustainable fishing studies that have had a positive impact on south Florida as a community and as stewards of our fragile environment. UM's efforts help ensure that future generations enjoy our unique and beautiful oceans for centuries to come.

I would like to congratulate UM Rosenstiel students and the staff, both past and present, for their commitment to oceanographic and atmospheric research and for the work that has made it this wonderful institution that it is today.

So happy 75th. Go Canes.

Honoring the Contributions of Stanley Tate

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a prominent figure of not only our south Florida community, but of the entire Nation, Mr. Stanley Tate. A Miami-Dade County native, Stanley Tate has been successful in many roles, including businessman, civic leader, and public servant.

Not long after Stanley graduated from college, he founded a general contracting firm building private homes and apartment buildings. As a young and driven newcomer to the industry, Stanley quickly became well- known and respected for his quality work, and he has continuously expanded upon his success.

Stanley also knew that he could make a great, positive impact in our community and beyond by involving himself in public service. He served with the city council of Bay Harbor Islands in several capacities, including mayor and assistant mayor for 20 years. He also served on the board of directors of the Florida League of Cities and is a former chairman of the housing resource team for Metro-Dade County.

It is because of his vast knowledge and proficiency that Stanley was invited several times to testify here in D.C. before committees in both the House and the Senate regarding housing and banking issues. Stanley was also appointed by President George Herbert Walker Bush to be the chairman of the National Advisory Board of the Resolution Trust Corporation, and he was then nominated by President Clinton to be the president of the RTC.

Stanley and I share the belief that every family should be provided a way to save for their child's higher education, so I was proud to partner with Stanley to help his vision become a reality with the Florida Prepaid College Plan. It was his tenure in the early developments of the program that helped ensure the program's viability and success. In recognition of Stanley's efforts, then-Governor Jeb Bush renamed the program the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program.

As a believer in the Jewish faith, Stanley has always been active in the Miami Jewish community and wa a strong and early supporter of our ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel. Stanley served as chairman of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and has been heavily involved in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, since the very start.

Mr. Speaker, throughout his life, Stanley has selflessly devoted himself to give back to others. So, thank you, Stanley Tate, for your commitment to bettering the lives of so many in our community and our great Nation. I am so proud to call you mi amigo, my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Director Kern Carpenter of the Miami-Dade County Farm Bureau, on his induction to the Farm Bureau Hall of Honor.

A third generation farmer with a rich history in tomato production; Mr. Carpenter and his family have dedicated their lives to preserving the beauty and prestige of Florida's agriculture.

At a young age, Kern lost his father to cancer and not long after; the farm he loved. However, Kern never lost sight of his family's heritage and worked hard to one day run his very own farm.

In 1983, Kern successfully renewed his family's farming legacy and opened Kern Carpenter Farms.

Today, that passion and drive Kern possessed at such a young age, continues to impact so many farmers and serves as an inspiration throughout our South Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, it is individuals like Kern that encompass the American spirit we all hold so dear. I wish him the very best in his future endeavors, and congratulate him on this much deserved honor. Congratulations my friend (Felicidades amigo).

Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Lupus Awareness Month because nearly two-thirds of the public know little to nothing about the disease beyond the name.

Lupus is a drastically unpredictable disease. It has no known cause, no known cure, and it can be fatal. An estimated 1.5 million Americans are currently living with lupus, including my lovely stepdaughter, Katharine; and millions more have sadly lost their brave battle with this disease.

I have been proud to work with the Lupus Foundation for many years to raise awareness about lupus and support efforts that bring us one step closer to solving the mystery of this dreadful illness.

I encourage my colleagues to join us in the Congressional Lupus Caucus to help advance lupus research and treatment. Through new scientific breakthroughs, we will better understand this disease and help patients living with lupus.

Mr. Speaker, let us ``Pump Up the Purple'' this May during Lupus Awareness Month and fight for a day when no one will be diagnosed with lupus.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Casa Familia, a nonprofit organization in my congressional district dedicated to serving individuals with special needs.

Casa Familia was founded by eight families with special needs children, and I am proud to have known one of the founders, Lourdes Sanchez, for many, many years. They came together to solve a very real problem in south Florida: the lack of affordable, quality housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD.

Sadly, close to 1 million Floridians are diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability and are unable to live independently. That is where Casa Familia comes in. This outstanding organization provides affordable housing solutions, vocational

training, and employment services for adults with IDD.

Casa Familia is also planning an integrated residential community that will offer a variety of recreational activities and educational programs to ensure that residents continue to grow and develop.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank everyone at Casa Familia for all that they do to improve the lives of so many individuals and help them achieve their full potential.

Mr. Speaker, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Russ Jollivette, an important and revered leader in education, health, and philanthropy, and someone who Dexter and I proudly called our friend.

Cyrus, or Russ to those who knew him, sadly passed away on April 30, leaving behind an incredible legacy of good works and major achievements. Russ dedicated 24 years of his life to my alma mater, the University of Miami, including raising significant funds for the UM Sylvester Cancer Center and Hospital for diabetes research and for environmental health sciences.

But Russ' impact went far beyond the University of Miami. He went on to serve as senior vice president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and served as the director of The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida.

Truth be told, Mr. Speaker, the list goes on and on, but the role for which Russ will always be known for far and wide is friend. Russ Jollivette cared so selflessly for so many in our south Florida community and our State, and so many cared for him, including his daughter, Lynn Jollivette Johns; his two sisters, Regina Jollivette Frazier and Cleo Jollivette; as well as two grandchildren.

Farewell, my friend, Russ Jollivette.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Director Kern Carpenter of the Miami-Dade County Farm Bureau, on his induction to the Farm Bureau Hall of Honor.

A third generation farmer with a rich history in tomato production; Mr. Carpenter and his family have dedicated their lives to preserving the beauty and prestige of Florida's agriculture.

At a young age, Kern lost his father to cancer and not long after; the farm he loved. However, Kern never lost sight of his family's heritage and worked hard to one day run his very own farm.

In 1983, Kern successfully renewed his family's farming legacy and opened Kern Carpenter Farms.

Today, that passion and drive Kern possessed at such a young age, continues to impact so many farmers and serves as an inspiration throughout our South Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, it is individuals like Kern that encompass the American spirit we all hold so dear. I wish him the very best in his future endeavors, and congratulate him on this much deserved honor.

Congratulations my friend (Felicidales amigo).