Floor Statements

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

Rhyan is currently studying at Colorado State University, where she is completing a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in business administration. 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 Rhyan for her work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of her successes in the years to come.

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

Matthew is currently studying at the University of Central Florida, where he is completing a bachelor's degree in comparative politics with a concentration in international relations. 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 Matthew for his work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of his successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Camryn Elizabeth Rios, a summer 2023 intern with my Gulf Coast regional office.

Camryn is currently a student at The University of Mississippi, where she is majoring in public policy leadership with a minor in journalism.

I extend my gratitude to Camryn for her work with my office during this semester.

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

Gianna is currently studying at the University of Florida, where she is completing a bachelor's degree in political science and women's 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 Gianna for her work with my office, and I look forward to hearing of her successes in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Madison Joelle Sheppard, a summer 2023 intern with my Gulf Coast regional office, for the hard work she has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Madison is currently a student at Florida State University, where she is majoring in international affairs and 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 Madison for her work with my office during these challenging times, and I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Maegan Smarkusky, a summer 2023 intern with my Gulf Coast regional office, for the hard work she has done for my office and the people of Florida.

Maegan is a recent graduate of J.W. Mitchell High School and will attend Florida State University, where she will major 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 Maegan for her work with my office during these challenging times, and I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. President, I recognize Kevin P. Burns as he retires from a distinguished 52-year career in the U.S. Air Force as an Active-Duty pilot and later as a civil servant at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Kevin graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1975 and served honorably as an Active-Duty pilot until 2002. As a fighter pilot during the Cold War, he was deployed to Iceland where he intercepted and escorted Soviet bombers away from U.S. bases. He later served as a test pilot and flew more

than 65 different aircraft, including F-15s, F-16s, F-4s, and A-l0s as well as other developmental aircraft. His last flight was in a B-52 Stratofortress out of Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana in June 2022.

Kevin retired from Active Duty in October 2002, after serving as the vice wing commander of the 46th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. Following Active Duty, Kevin continued his service to our great country as a civilian, leading the development of policy, products, and standards for the Air Force's 53rd Test Management Group, the U.S. Air Force's largest operational test wing, at Eglin Air Force Base.

Kevin's work over the decades has had an immeasurable impact on America's national security. His dedication to the mission and tireless efforts have contributed to the safety of all Americans.

I extend my best wishes to Kevin and his family on his retirement and thank him for his service.

Mr. President, I recognize Stephen Robert Brown, the Bradford County Teacher of the Year from Bradford High School in Starke, FL.

Stephen never predicted he would work as one of the most celebrated teachers in the school district. He developed his teaching philosophy as one that teaches from bell to bell and advocates for all students, not just those in his classes. He instills in his students the confidence to achieve their long-term goals and develops plans to help meet those goals.

Stephen's students grow academically and personally by the end of each school year. He welcomes his students to ask questions to better comprehend the assignments, and ultimately wants to see them thrive.

Stephen is the team lead for the Exceptional Student Education Department at Bradford High School. He also is the school's ACT testing coordinator.

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

Mr. President, I recognize Francisco Cardoza, the Orange County Teacher of the Year from Village Park Elementary School in Orlando, FL.

Francisco helps his students gain confidence and seek excellence in their schoolwork. He often has fun lessons for his students, such as setting the classroom up to mimic a racetrack to demonstrate force and motion or going into a hospital room to teach how to measure volume and mass.

While Francisco considers his students his top priority, he also works to help everyone else on campus. He volunteers to tutor other students, mentor children, lead a committee, or plan a school event. His colleagues know he commits to teaching and leads others to be successful in any way he can.

Francisco is a fifth grade teacher at Village Park Elementary, where he has taught for nearly 2 years. He began the school's National Elementary Honor Society chapter and Safety Patrol and helped run its Amazing Shake initiative.

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

Mr. President, I recognize Kimberly Crowder, the Hamilton County Teacher of the Year from Hamilton County Elementary School in South Jasper, FL.

Kimberly works to help each student be their best and considers herself blessed to play an important part in their lives by shaping them for success. She designs her lesson plans to meet the needs of her students.

Kimberly is most proud of her recent contribution where she revised her school's intervention instructions. Their new plan for students implements prescriptive intervention tactics to improve their achievements in the classroom by focusing on their personal needs.

Kimberly serves as a pre-K through fifth grade reading interventionist and the curriculum coordinator at her school. She has been with the Hamilton County School District since 2007, teaching kindergarten, first, and second grade students.

I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Kimberly 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 Janan Hodges, the Seminole County Teacher of the Year from Spring Lake Elementary School in Altamonte Springs, FL.

Janan holds high expectations for her students, in which she ensures her classroom represents achievement and belonging. She does this by cultivating class rules that are innovative and engaging.

Janan also develops resiliency skills to benefit student success from elementary school and beyond. She works tirelessly to know each student, finding their strengths and helping limit their weaknesses.

Janan teaches third grade and is a team leader at Spring Lake Elementary School, where she has taught for 4 of her 16-year educator career. She is her school's New Educator Support Team lead teacher, where she works with new instructors and dedicates time to mentor them.

I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Janan 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 Karen Kearney, the Alachua County Teacher of the Year from Buchholz High School in Gainesville, FL.

Karen's lifelong passion has been to be a teacher. As a child, she would teach and pretend to grade the assignments of her stuffed animals. Today, she works to ensure her school is the best in Florida and instills her belief that students are happiest and strongest when engaged in a lifelong pursuit of learning.

Karen's teaching philosophy relies on students having personal power and a positive outlook when it comes to fulfilling their dreams and reaching their full potential. She instills in her students that education is a major tool in that process and can be a helpful advantage when setting realistic dream expectations.

Karen is an alumnus of Buchholz High School and spent 5 years working in chiropractic therapy before becoming a teacher. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nutrition and her doctor of chiropractic degree from Life University and her teaching certificate in broad field secondary science from the State University of West Georgia. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has been a teacher mentor since 2006 and has served as department chair since 2019.

I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Karen 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 Justyn Philip Keller, the Teacher of the Year for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Johns County, FL.

For high school, Justyn attended the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind after losing his sight in a random incident. He credits his teachers and the staff members who helped him learn and get through that difficult period of his life.

Halfway through college, much of Justyn's vision returned. He then felt a calling to come home to teach and give back to the community that supported him during his time of need. He enjoys teaching visually impaired students not only because it is challenging, but because he relates to the struggles they are experiencing.

Justyn teaches math at the Blind Middle School and has taught for 5 years. He attended Flagler College and the Baptist College of Florida. He holds a Florida Visually Impaired K-12 Professional Educator's Certificate, is the boys' goalball team assistant coach, and is the Young Life Team coordinator.

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

Mr. President, I recognize Julia Mayeshiba, the Duval County Teacher of the Year from Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology in Jacksonville, FL.

Julia initiated an afterschool tutoring system for math and physics students seeking extra help in these challenging subjects. She often meets with students one-on-one to address their concerns and to instill the importance of learning as they seek to further their educational goals.

Julia also develops schoolwide incentives to reward good student behaviors. She believes this further motivates a student to try their best throughout the school year. Julia believes that when her students leave her classroom, they should feel confident to ask for help to ensure success later in life.

Julia has been a math and physics teacher at Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology for the past 4 years. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015 with her bachelor's degree and from the University of North Florida in 2019 with her master's degree. She is a Robert Noyce National Science Foundation teaching fellow and is her school's senior class sponsor.

I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to Julia 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 Sara Messer, the Columbia County Teacher of the Year from Pinemount Elementary School in Lake City, FL.

Sara's favorite aspect of being a teacher is that she works on building positive relationships and guides students to believe in themselves to become lifelong learners. She spends each day with her students by instilling the importance of reading and ensuring they work together throughout the school year to be successful.

Sara has been a second grade teacher at Pinemount Elementary School since 2018. She graduated from Florida Gateway College, Saint Leo University, and American College of Education. Sara enjoys spending time with her family and caring for farm animals in her spare time.

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