Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, flood insurance has been devastating to people in Florida. It has been in my region. I have done multiple town halls. It has gone up not 10 or 20 percent but 1,000 percent, 500 percent. Businesses can't sell their businesses. So this bill will bring some immediate relief. It also brings some certainty so people-- because the market today is frozen, it will bring some certainty to people so they can buy and sell their homes.

Also, as the cochair of the Florida delegation, I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle because it is nice once in a while where we can work together to get something done for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Barbara Shirley, who was recently named Florida's Principal of the Year for her leadership at Alta Vista Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida.

Since becoming principal of Alta Vista in 2007, Barbara has secured private funding and recruited volunteers to expand the school's programs to provide free summer school classes to under privileged students, and educate and assist parents.

The classes help students retain what they learned during the school year and teach parents how to manage their finances, cook healthy meals and get job training.

Barbara has been offered positions at schools in more affluent neighborhoods, but chooses instead to be principal of Alta Vista, where more than 90% of the students are on free or reduced lunch and several of the students are homeless.

While many students and schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods score low on state achievement tests, Alta Vista has maintained an A rating.

I appreciate this opportunity to bring much deserved recognition to Barbara for her successful efforts to help at-risk students and their parents.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the memory of my dear friend, colleague and mentor, Congressman Bill Young.

For over four decades, there has not been a stronger voice in this Chamber for our brave men and women in uniform other than Bill Young. My district was just south of Bill Young's district, and we have almost 90,000 veterans. There is nobody who has benefited, I think, in terms of a district more than our veterans have in terms of Bill Young's leadership and in what he has brought to Pinellas County and to the State of Florida. He was an inspiration to so many because he personified the most important virtue of public service--he did it for others.

As dean of the Florida delegation, Bill provided wisdom and counsel to Members on both sides of the aisle. He served this great institution with devotion, civility, and distinction. I am honored personally to have served with this extraordinary man. With his passing, the State of Florida and the Nation have lost an outstanding lawmaker, statesman, and public servant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois and the gentlelady from Hawaii.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Private First Class Hector Albert Cafferata, Jr., of the United States Marine Corps.

Private Cafferata was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in action in Korea on November 28, 1950, while serving with the famed 1st Marine Division.

As the only unwounded member of his squad, he singlehandedly engaged the enemy while under heavy fire from machine guns, mortars and grenades. For over 7 hours, he was able to successfully fend off wave after wave of enemy attacks until reinforcements could arrive. However, as reinforcements moved in, an enemy grenade landed in his trench. The private immediately grabbed the grenade and threw it from the trench before it detonated. Though wounded by the blast,

he saved the lives of many of his men serving with him that day.

It is for his supreme bravery and courageousness in carrying out his duties that I am proud to honor and remember the actions of Private First Class Hector Albert Cafferata, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize fire and rescue and EMS personnel who have provided distinguished service to the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District.

As first responders, fire departments and emergency medical service teams are summoned on short notice to serve their respective communities. Oftentimes, they arrive at scenes of great adversity and trauma, to which they reliably bring strength and composure. These brave men and women spend hundreds of hours in training so that they are prepared when they get ``the call.''

Last year, I established the 16th District Congressional Fire and Rescue and EMS Awards to honor officers, departments, and units for outstanding achievement.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, it is my privilege to congratulate the following winners, who were selected by an independent committee comprised of a cross-section of current and retired fire and rescue personnel living in the district.

Battalion Chief Stacey S. Bailey of the East Manatee Fire Rescue received the Career Service Award.

The Sarasota K-9 Search and Rescue Team received the Associate Service Award.

Battalion Chief Russell McCord of the Englewood Area Fire Control received the Career Service Award.

Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Kolesa received the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.

I appreciate this opportunity to recognize 16th District fire and rescue and EMS personnel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Carl Douglas Weeks, who will retire this month from his position as President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County.

For more than 42 years, Carl has dedicated himself to the Boys and Girls Club movement, holding several positions before being named Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County in 2000 and President in 2011.

Carl is living proof of the Boys and Girls Clubs' slogan, ``Great Futures Start Here.'' He joined the Bradenton Boys Club at the age of eight and began working there before graduating high school.

During his career, Carl has tirelessly dedicated himself to developing innovative and effective partnerships that have allowed the non-profit organization to serve more children, more often. Under his leadership, the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County has become the preeminent children's service organization in the community, serving over 6,000 youth in 2012.

I had the honor of meeting Carl when I visited the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County in 2006. He shared with me an adage that I have often repeated: children are just 25 percent of our population but 100 percent of our future.

His passion and the mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County is to enable all young people, especially those who are most in need, to become productive, caring, responsible citizens.

He has also given time, energy and talents to other community service organizations, including the United Way of Manatee County, South County Community Redevelopment, the Bradenton Kiwanis Club, and the American Red Cross.

I appreciate this opportunity to recognize Carl for all he has done to help young people reach their full potential and his involvement in community service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 43. My name was incorrectly added to the joint resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Snooty the Manatee's 65th Birthday.

Snooty is an ambassador for wildlife preservation, a local celebrity, and tourist attraction to Manatee County, most of which I represent in Congress.

Born on July 21st, 1948, Snooty is the world's oldest known living manatee.

Since June 20, 1949 he has lived at South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Florida, where researchers from New College of Florida and Mote Marine are able to learn more about the health and life cycles of manatees.

Manatees frequently suffer from both man-made and natural hazards, such as red tide, cold water, boat strikes, and, in the past, hunting.

Snooty is one of the most popular representatives for endangered species.

He has fostered 26 manatees recuperating from illness or injury and is currently sharing his 60,000 gallon fresh water pool with two young rescued manatees, Cheeno and Longo.

Snooty has also contributed to public education by appearing on Captain Kangaroo in 1982 and greeting more than 2 million visitors of all ages who learn about manatee care, conservation, eating habits, reproduction and physiology.

He reaches people world-wide on the ``Snooty Cam,'' an online, live webcast.

The beloved Manatee was declared the County's official mascot by the Manatee County Commission on April 4, 1979.

I appreciate this opportunity to recognize the many contributions Snooty has made to the world's knowledge of Manatee's and encourage my constituents to participate in Snooty's 65th Birthday Bash and Wildlife Awareness Festival on July 20.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege this morning to welcome a very good friend to the Halls of Congress. Pastor Mike Landry, who delivered the opening prayer this morning, is a great spiritual leader in Sarasota, Florida. For the past 16 years, he has served as senior pastor to the Sarasota Baptist Church, located in the heart of my district.

My wife, Sandy, and I have had the pleasure of knowing the pastor for nearly 5 years. He is very devoted to his family, his church, his congregation, and serving the people of southwest Florida. He has made himself an incredible and beloved member of our community.

I commend Pastor Landry for his outstanding service to our community and to our Nation. It's my honor today to welcome him here to the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Older Americans Month.

Every year since 1963, May has been a month to honor older Americans and highlight the value that senior citizens contribute to our communities.

Recent medical advancements are helping Americans live longer, healthier, happier lives. Those older Americans have a wealth of wisdom, energy and experience from which our communities can benefit.

The theme for Older Americans Month 2013 is ``Unleash the Power of Age.''

In my congressional district, the Jefferson Center, a Sarasota, Florida, non-profit that provides housing to senior citizens with low to moderate income, is celebrating Older Americans Month with a variety of special events to recognize the achievements of their residents and encourage them to continue to share their knowledge with their family, friends, and neighbors.

I appreciate this opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of older Americans in Florida's 16th District and applaud the Jefferson Center for their efforts to enhance the quality of life of their residents and encourage them to share their lifetime of experience with those around them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to law enforcement men and women who have provided distinctive service to the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District.

Law enforcement is a demanding profession that requires sacrifice, courage and a dedication to serve others. Every day, brave men and women put themselves in harm's way to enforce the laws of our society and protect public safety. They deserve our gratitude and respect.

Last year, I established the 16th District Congressional Law Enforcement Awards, CLEA, to give special recognition to law enforcement officers, departments, or units for exceptional achievement.

This year, during National Police Week, I will present congressional law enforcement awards to the following winners chosen by an independent panel comprised of current and retired law enforcement personnel representing a cross-section of the district's law enforcement community.

Sergeant Ryan LaRowe of the Palmetto Police Department received the Career Service Award.

Officer Sean Hammett of the Venice Police Department, Sergeant Debra Kaspar of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, and Detective Louis Licata of the North Port Police Department received the Dedication and Professionalism Award.

Sergeant Debra Kaspar, Detective Timothy Speth, Detective Cassandra Dusseau, Detective Louis Licata, Investigator Lynn Thompson, and Investigator Brent Blosser, Detective Jeff Pasler and Sergeant Donald Kennard of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Pharmaceutical Diversion Investigative Unit received the Unit Citation Award.

Officer Peter Vilardi of the Sarasota-Manatee County Airport Authority Police Department, Officer Andres Perez of the Bradenton Police Department, and Officer Joshua Fleischer of the Holmes Beach Police Department received the Preservation of Life Award.

Deputy Justin Warren of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office received the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District I congratulate each of these outstanding law enforcement officers and offer my sincere appreciation for their service and dedication.

I also appreciate the law enforcement agencies that made such outstanding nominations and panel that judged them. I believe these awards are a fitting tribute to our officers and a reminder of the important role they play in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my constituent, Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, for his many contributions to marine science.

Dr. Mahadevan is retiring in May from his position as chief executive and president of Mote Marine Laboratory, which is a private research center and aquarium based in Sarasota, Florida.

Dr. Mahadevan joined Mote Marine in 1978 as a senior scientist and became chief executive and president in 1986.

Under his leadership, Mote has grown from a small research facility to an internationally recognized laboratory of marine science and a local treasure teaching children and adults about sea life and conservation.

During his tenure, Mote has added an aquarium that attracts more than 350,000 annually and expanded to include a 200-acre Aquaculture Park in eastern Sarasota County, research field stations on Pine Island in Charlotte Harbor and Summerland Key in the Florida Keys, satellite offices in Punta Gorda and Boca Grande and a second public outreach exhibit dedicated to coral reefs in the Eco-Discovery Center in Key West.

The nonprofit's annual operating budget has increased from approximately $2 million in 1978 to more than $17 million and its staff has grown from 52 members to 192 members, including 31 doctorate-level scientists who are leaders in their fields.

I was proud to serve on the board at Mote prior to my election to Congress. I have seen firsthand the positive impact that Dr. Mahadevan has had on public policy to revitalize and sustain marine resources through science based outreach and education.

Although he is stepping down from his current position, I am pleased that Dr. Mahadevan will stay on as president emeritus, which will allow him to continue to promote the lab's research and development.

In the meantime, I appreciate this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for his outstanding contributions to Mote Marine Laboratory and the field of marine science.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Lieutenant Colonel (U.S. Army-Ret) Lee F. Kichen of Sarasota, Florida. Colonel Kichen is a great American who recently retired after decades of service to his country and his fellow veterans.

Colonel Kichen most recently served as a state service officer with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) at the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Petersburg. He was also the VFW's state legislative chairman. Successive VFW Commanders in Chief also appointed Lee to the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, National By-Laws and Resolutions Committee, Veterans Services Resolution Committee and the National Legislative Committee. In these positions, he has been a tireless and effective advocate for our Veterans.

As a state service officer for the VFW and in a previous position as a veterans service officer for Sarasota County, Lee has helped countless veterans and their families obtain from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, such as disability compensation, pensions, health care, and vocational and rehabilitation training.

I had the privilege of working with Lee in his capacity as VFW legislative chairman on several issues, including the establishment of a national cemetery in Sarasota to ensure area veterans are laid to rest with the respect and dignity they deserve and passage of the Post 9/11 GI bill to provide service men and women who have served in active duty since September 11, 2001 with additional education benefits similar to those provided in the G.I bill.

Lee is a native of Framingham, Massachusetts.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Master of Arts degrees from Pacific Lutheran University and Chapman University.

In addition to his civilian education, Lee is a graduate of the Army's Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

He retired from the United States Army in 1997 after twenty-seven years of service as an Armor officer. He served in various command and staff positions in the Continental United States and overseas.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, with one oak leaf cluster; the Meritorious Service Medal, with two oak leaf clusters; the Army Commendation Medal, with two oak leaf clusters; the Army Achievement Medal and the Korea Defense Service Medal. He also wears the Army Staff Identification Badge, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Medallion of the Order of St. George, and the Silver Medallion of the Order of St. George.

He is a Gold Legacy Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Children's Home, the Military Officers Association of America and the Military Order of the World Wars.

He is also a member of the Jewish War Veterans, the AMVETS, the American Legion, the Association of the United States Army, the Armor Association, the United States Cavalry Association, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

Lee is on the Board of Directors of the 3rd Cavalry Association. He served as President of the Sarasota County Veterans Commission from 1999-2002. He is the Vice Chairman of the Sarasota National Cemetery Advisory Committee. He also serves on Senator George Lemieux's and Congressman Vern Buchanan's Service Academy Selection Boards

He was recognized by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3233 as its Man of the Year, Elks Lodge #2495 as its Citizen of the Year, the Bradenton- Sarasota Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars with the Silver Patrick Henry Medallion for Patriotic Service and by the Sarasota County Veterans Commission as its Veteran of the Year.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 13th District, I thank Lee for his dedicated service to our nation and wish him and his wife Carol a happy and healthy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gil Waters of Sarasota FL, born in 1927 and raised in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York. By 1955, Gil graduated from Yale University, moved to Sarasota, married Elizabeth Boylston, served in the Navy during the Korean War, and started a family. Over the next 58 years, Gil left an indelible mark on Sarasota/Manatee County and the State of Florida. All while being a loving father to three children, Christopher, Robin, and Michael.

Gil founded the FCCI Fund in 1959. Upon his retirement in 1985, Florida Trend ranked FCCI as one of Florida's largest private companies. It was Florida's largest self-funded workers-compensation companies and one of the largest in the nation. Gil created WIMCO (Waters Insurance Management Company) in 1979 and FEISCO a, NASDAQ- listed, captive ``reinsurance'' company in 1980. In 1982, he founded Keep-Well Health Insurance. Gil, is an entrepreneurial visionary who revolutionized the workers-compensation insurance industry.

From 1956 to 1970, Gil served as Executive Secretary for Sarasota/ Manatee County Gulf Coast Builders Exchange; Executive Secretary for Consulting Engineers Counsel of Florida; Public Relations Counsel for New College; and served as a Sarasota City Commissioner.

In 1970, Gil ran a successful State Constitutional Amendment regarding mobile home taxation. From 1977 to 1984 he became a statewide lobbyist for workers compensation in Tallahassee. Gil organized and served as first president of Florida Self Insurance Association, producing a wide ranging bill that passed the Florida State Legislature, providing wage-loss protection for injured workers.

Between 1987 and 2003, Gil spearheaded grassroots efforts to replace the Ringling Bridge. The Florida State Legislature honored him by renaming the bridge, ``Gil Waters Bridge'' on the Ringling Causeway. He was honored and humbled, and instead, requested a plaque be placed at the bridge paying tribute to every citizen who supported the construction of the fixed-span bridge.

In addition, he dedicated 40 years to developing condominium, single family, retirement and nursing communities. He also impacted municipal planning and growth, served his community and state as a philanthropist through public and private schools, Florida State's Asolo Repertory Theater, Florida West Coast Symphony Association, New College Music Festival, Sarasota Opera, Hermitage Artist Retreat, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and others. He received environmental awards from the Audubon Society, Save Our Bays, and Sarasota Garden Club.

At 85, Gil enjoys traveling with his second wife, Elisabeth; however, he is never far from his 55-year vision to complete Sarasota's 1959 Architectural Plan--connecting Island Park/Marina Jacks to Main Street over U.S. 41, with a safe-walkable overpass; and, Main Street becoming a walkable city-center, daily attracting 1000's of visitors and residents. Gil likes to say, ``Come for an hour, stay for the day!''

One of Gil's greatest honors occurred on December 27, 1999, when The Sarasota Herald Tribune named Gil one of ``The 10 Most Influential Businesspeople of the 20th Century.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor, Mr. Herbert Horowitz of Sarasota, FL. Herb was born in Brooklyn, New York; his family moved to Fall River, Massachusetts. Herb entered the Army in 1941 and was honorable discharged in 1945. He is a World War II veteran who served in the European theater. After serving his country, Herb returned home and began a civilian life. Upon his discharge, he went into the manufacturing of Men's Clothing.

Married now for seventy years to his wife, Isbelle, they raised three children (David, Robert & Debra). They talk proudly of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Herb was active in various local religious and community organizations. Retiring to Sarasota with his wife Isbelle in 1984, Herb has been active in his synagogue, Temple Sinai, and is now a respected elder member.

Herb still works out at the Sarasota Family YMCA, Evalyn Sadlier Jones Branch. Executive Director, Ben Pinegar, has said ``Herb continues to be an inspiration to our senior members with his cheerful and positive outlook. His conscientious workout routine and his helpful attitude to other members is to be admired. He is also considered to be a mentor to some of our younger Y members. Herb helps to make our Y a family.''

Herb will be ninety-five years young on November 17, 2012. I congratulate him and wish him many more happy birthdays. With Veteran's Day approaching, I thank all of our veterans, of which Herb is an example. I thank our veterans for not only their service to our country, but also for what they have contributed to their communities.