Floor Statements

Mr. President, I recognize Sundai Waston Grillo, the Collier County Teacher of the Year from Gulf Coast High School in Naples, FL.

Sundai believed she would have a career in nonprofit work after graduating from college. Instead, her time on the University of Florida Gators Volleyball team offered her an opportunity to continue her playing career in Asturias, Spain. While there, she lived across the street from a school and began working with children to develop their English language skills. It was there that she found her passion for educating others.

After Sundai returned to the United States, she began working at her alma mater, teaching English and reading to English language learners. Sundai serves as the literacy coach at Gulf Coast High School. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in public relations and image management from the University of Florida in 2013 and was a 4-year letterman for the Gators Volleyball team.

I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Sundai for her commitment to her students. I look forward to hearing about her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Emily Murphy, the Suwannee County Teacher of the Year from Suwannee Springcrest Elementary School in Live Oak, FL.

Emily believes Suwannee's schools provide students the best choice to further their educational goals. She commits each day to ensure her students learn something new and takes pride in showcasing their success across Florida.

Emily enjoys working with her fellow teachers as they develop lesson plans suited to meet the needs of their students. She views her job as making the first educational impact on her young students and hopes they take what they learn in stride. Emily was humbled to receive this important recognition because she works alongside many great educators.

Emily teaches kindergarten at Suwannee Springcrest Elementary and has worked in the Suwannee County School District for the past few years.

I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Emily for her commitment to her students. I look forward to hearing about her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Krashelle Skelly, the Dixie County Teacher of the Year from Dixie County High School in Cross City, FL.

Krashelle loves connecting with her students by finding or creating ways to present her lesson materials for real life usage. Often, she will show angle measurements in roof trusses or how the area relates to buying flooring and paint for homes.

Krashelle considers herself a lifelong learner and is always looking for ways to become a better educator for her students. Her passion as a mathematics educator drives her to ensure her students reach their academic goals.

Krashelle is an instructional coach at Dixie County High School, where she has taught for the past 8 years. She graduated with her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in food and resource economics. She earned her associates in arts degree from Santa Fe College in business administration and management.

I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Krashelle for her commitment to her students. I look forward to hearing about her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Brett Wasden, the Gilchrist County Teacher of the Year from Bell High School in Bell, FL.

Brett is passionate about empowering his students to grow academically and personally. He works to be a role model for his students and appreciates those who helped him become the teacher he is today.

Brett is dedicated to promoting his students and ensuring they have the tools necessary to be successful. His lesson plans focus on their personal development, and he strives for his students to have a solid grasp of the subject material.

Brett has been an agriscience teacher at Bell High School since 2020. He earned his master's in community and leadership development from the University of Kentucky and his bachelor's in agricultural education and communication from the University of Florida.

I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Brett for his commitment to his students. I look forward to hearing about his continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. President, I pay tribute to a remarkable Cuban- American patriot whose life embodied the American Dream. Caridad Roque Perez, who went to eternal glory at the age of 82, was a beloved journalist and an iconic former political prisoner who unjustly endured more than 15 years of imprisonment under the criminal Castro regime. Cary's tireless pursuit of freedom and justice made a lasting impact not just in South Florida but also within the Cuban-American exile community across our nation. While our community mourns the loss of one of its most resilient and courageous voices, it is our moral duty to honor and remember her legacy as well as to carry on her relentless advocacy for a democratic Cuba, free from tyranny.

Jeanette and I unite in prayer alongside the Cuban exile community for the repose of the soul of this brave anti-Castro dissident who dedicated her life to service and advocacy.

Mr. President, I recognize the 10-year anniversary of the Tampa Veterans Treatment Court and Veteran Mentors Program.

Among the largest veteran treatment courts in the nation, the Tampa Veterans Treatment Court and Mentors Program was established in 2013 thanks to the efforts of retired U.S. Army COL DJ Reyes. The purpose of the program is to help identify and provide the necessary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs treatments and counselling to veterans whose involvement in the criminal justice system is often connected to a condition or disorder incurred during their military service.

At the height of the program, the Tampa Veterans Treatment Court and Mentors Program grew to more than 225 veteran defendants and more than 100 volunteer veteran mentors. The program currently enjoys a 90- percent graduation rate and is nationally recognized as the model for newly formed veteran treatment courts.

In June 2019, Colonel Reyes was invited to both the White House and Capitol Hill to brief policymakers on the success of the Tampa Veterans Treatment Court and Mentors Program and in support of Federal legislation to support State veteran treatment courts. This bill, the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019, which I cosponsored, was signed into law by President Trump in August 2020.

I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Colonel Reyes and everyone associated with the Tampa Veteran Treatment Court and Mentors Program for their work assisting our veterans and wish them many years of continued success.

Mr. President, I recognize Gabrielle India Asiiag, a spring and summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work she has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Gabrielle is currently studying at the University of Central Florida, where she is completing a bachelor's degree in psychology. She is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Gabrielle for her work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of her successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Ximena Rafaela Hakime, a summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work she has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Ximena is currently studying at the University of Central Florida, where she is completing a bachelor's degree in political science. She is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Ximena for her work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of her successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Thomas Matthew Batura, a summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work he has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Thomas is currently studying at the University of Central Florida, where he is completing a master's degree in public administration. He is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Thomas for his work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of his successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Bennett Aaron Bert, a summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work he has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Bennett is currently studying at the Catholic University of America, where he is completing a bachelor's degree in politics with a minor in business. He is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Bennett for his work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of his successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Gabriela Sofia Bravo, a summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work she has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Gabriela is currently studying at the University of Central Florida, where she is completing a bachelor's degree in political science with an emphasis in intelligence and national security, as well as a minor in international and global studies. She is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Gabriela for her work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of her successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Vicmarie Palomares- Colon, a summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work she has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Vicmarie is currently studying at the University of Central Florida, where she is completing a bachelor's degree in legal studies. She is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Vicmarie for her work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of her successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Fiona Ferrero, a spring and summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work she has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Fiona is currently studying at Ocoee High School. She is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Fiona for her work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of her successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Ethan Craig Folkman, a summer 2023 intern with my Gulf Coast regional office, for the hard work he has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Ethan is currently a student at Boston College, where he is majoring in political science. He is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Ethan for his work with my office during these challenging times, and I look forward to hearing of his continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Pablo Elias Fortich, a summer 2023 intern with my Orlando office, for the hard work he has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Pablo is currently studying at the University of Central Florida, where he is completing a bachelor's degree in political science with a concentration in national security and intelligence. He is a dedicated and diligent worker who was devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Pablo for his work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of his successes in the years to come.