Mario Diaz-Balart

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, let me first start by thanking the leadership, the steadfast, never confused leadership of Congressman Albio Sires. He is a man who I have had the privilege of traveling with to Eastern Europe, where he is known there, as he is in the United States, for one who is always fighting for those who are repressed, oppressed around the world; which is why the people of Venezuela know that they can count on Congressman Albio Sires for his leadership. Thank you, sir, for never giving up, never fighting, never forgetting those who are struggling under repression. You mentioned Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. She is a giant, a giant in the Halls of Congress, a giant for not only things that obviously affect us here domestically, because she is fighting for those, particularly those who are the least fortunate in our society. But if there is somebody who is known internationally as a fighter for those who, again, are struggling for freedom, it is Ileana Ros- Lehtinen. I thank you also, Mr. Sires, for mentioning the chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. We just heard from him, a person who, again, is on the same track of always making sure that the--he makes the United States look good by never forgetting human rights as a fundamental pillar of our foreign policy. The people of Venezuela are demonstrating that they are, in fact, the heirs of Simon Bolivar. They are showing now, with 50 days of consecutive demonstrations in the streets, that they are not willing to accept repression. They are not willing to accept any more of this dictatorship; that they are not willing to accept, as Mr. Sires mentioned, in essence, a takeover from the Cuban regime of their beautiful country of Venezuela. And they are suffering because of that activism, that bravery of hitting the streets. About almost 50 of them have been murdered since this last number of demonstrations have taken place, not to mention the dozens upon dozens of political prisoners, whether it is political leaders, mayors, et cetera, who are in prison just because they are not willing to stand by while their country has been taken over by this horrendous, narco-terrorist, murderous dictatorship. Frankly, I am here to commend the Venezuelan people and, as Mr. Sires said, to let them know that they are not alone, that we stand with them, that the United States Congress stands with them. But I would be remiss if I didn't end as I started, Mr. Speaker, by thanking these individuals who have spoken already: the giant of human rights in the House of Representatives, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the chairman of the subcommittee, who never gets confused, and who is always fighting for those who are struggling to regain or gain their freedom; and yes, Albio Sires, who I have had the privilege of seeing, not only who he is recognized here in this Congress by his colleagues as a true freedom fighter for human rights, but I have been able to travel with him and see that whenever you go anywhere with Albio Sires, he is also recognized around the world as that champion for freedom. So what a privilege to be part of and to be able to spend this time with you. Thanks to each and every one of you for not forgetting the struggle of Venezuela. I know that you have done it in your committee, you have done it in your subcommittee, and this Congress is grateful, and this Member of Congress is grateful for your leadership. And I know that the Venezuelan people who are showing incredible bravery know, and history will record that, in their toughest moments, when they were putting their lives on the line, all of you, and this Congress, stood with them. So with that, thank you, Mr. Sires, for yielding to me.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, before I speak about the specifics of this portion of the bill, I thank Chairman Frelinghuysen. He has put countless hours to put this remarkable legislation together. I think he must be commended. I also thank Ranking Member Lowey as well as the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Price. The American people expect us to get our job done, to fulfill our constitutional responsibility. That is precisely what we are doing today. The THUD portion of this agreement provides $57.7 billion in budget authority, which, by the way, is $5.5 billion below the budget request. The transportation and housing programs in this bill support critical infrastructure, technologies, and housing opportunities that make a positive difference in the day-to-day lives of so many of our constituents. This bill makes critical investments in our air traffic control system to make sure that continues to be the world leader in safety in the entire world. We fund surface transportation investments authorized by the FAST Act to ensure that we improve and expand highways and bridges that are so vital to our national economy. And this bill also provides permanent regulatory relief from two overly burdensome additions to the hours-of- service restart rule made by the previous administration. Mr. Speaker, this bill also provides $928 million in disaster assistance for communities devastated by storms and floods. This includes recovery assistance to Florida following the impact caused by Hurricane Matthew last October. Mr. Speaker, we listened to the members of the committee and to the Members of Congress, and we did our best to address their highest priorities, while keeping in mind that our job is to protect the American taxpayer and cut ineffective, redundant programs. We are proud of this bill. I thank the chairman for his hard work.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Gus Machado and celebrate his career. Gus moved to the United States from Cuba with his family in 1949, and has become a symbol of the American dream for many. Through hard work and determination, Gus has built several successful car dealerships. He has managed to stay in business through a recession that had a significant impact on car sales, and worked diligently to avoid downsizing his workforce and keep others employed. Throughout his career in car sales, Gus has acted as an honorable man with the best interests of the community at heart. For the past seven years, Gus Machado's businesses have received the Blue Oval Certification status from Ford Motor Company. Additionally, in 2013, one dealership received Ford Motor Company's highest honor, the President's Award. Gus has proved himself to be dedicated to improving his community. In 2008, he founded the Gus Machado Family Foundation, which provides children with backpacks full of school supplies. The Foundation also works to keep children healthy by providing them with immunizations. Gus is deeply involved with the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC, an organization dedicated to promoting freedom and democratic ideals in the communist country of Cuba. Although he has lived in Florida for most of his life, Gus remembers his native Cuba and has not lost sight of the importance of allowing the Cuban people the same basic rights and freedoms we take for granted in the United States that are stifled under the Castro regime. For his successful businesses, involvement in the community, and unfailingly optimistic outlook, Gus Machado is an excellent inspiration for Miami and Florida. It has been a privilege to know him and his family, including the love of his life Lilliam, who has become a dear friend of mine. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on his work to date and wishing him continued success.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I, along with Representative Ros- Lehtinen and Representative Curbelo rise to commemorate the retirement of Mr. Bob Epling. Bob began his career as an assistant bank examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in Washington, D.C. From there, he moved to South Florida, where he would spend most of the next fifty years. Bob worked for several banks in South Florida, and has served as the President and CEO of Homestead/Community Bank of Florida for the last forty years. Through his work at the bank, he has consistently proven himself to be an honorable, ethical man. Bob has also been an active member of the South Florida community. He has served as the Chairman of the International Hurricane Center for the past twenty years, serves on the executive board of the South Florida Council of Boy Scouts of America, and is a member of the Military Affairs Committee of the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce, among many other activities. Bob is also a Senior Advisor to the Orange Bowl Committee, after serving as its President in 1993. In his work with the Orange Bowl Committee, he was able to break ground on a renovation of the football stadium and field at Harris Field Park in Homestead. This project is just one example of Bob's continuing commitment to making life better for his neighbors in South Florida. We have known Bob for several decades, and have been consistently impressed with the breadth of his involvement with the community. He has been a loyal friend, and is an honest voice who can speak to the positive qualities of his community as well as the challenges it faces. We congratulate Bob on a remarkable career and a lasting impact made. Mr. Speaker, we are honored to pay tribute to Mr. Bob Epling for his tremendous service to the South Florida community, and we ask our colleagues to join us in recognizing this remarkable individual.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill. I want to first start by commending the chairman of the full committee and the former chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Frelinghuysen, for his unwavering commitment to the men and women in uniform, and also for bringing this great bill forward. I also want to recognize the good work and leadership of the new subcommittee chairwoman, that titanium Texan, Ms. Granger. Mr. Speaker, I have to also mention the ranking members, Mrs. Lowey and Mr. Visclosky, because this, frankly, is a partnership in allowing this bill to come forward. Mr. Speaker, with this bill, Congress fulfills what I believe is an essential part of what we are here to do and what government's essential role is--to provide for the common defense. This bill is essential for the men and women who serve our Nation with distinction in the military. This bill funds a 2.1 percent pay raise for the military, something that they so deserve. It also targets resources for the health care for our servicemembers and their family members. Throughout the year--and you have already heard it--we have heard testimony time and time again from our service chiefs about the necessity to address our military's alarming readiness shortfalls. This bill, Mr. Speaker, addresses the readiness problems that are making it more and more difficult for our troops. We devote resources to prepare our troops both for combat and peacetime missions, including flight time and training, to ensure that we maintain our military superiority. Lastly, this bill provides the necessary essential equipment, weapon systems, and platforms needed to maintain and sustain our essential military superiority, whether it is in the air, in the sea, or on the ground. Mr. Speaker, I would just end with what I mentioned before: I believe the principal job of the Federal Government is to defend and protect our country. The Defense Appropriations bill before us does just that, and it deserves all of our support.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History Month, I rise today to honor Patricia Andrade, an activist and advocate for victims of Venezuela's oppressive regime. Ms. Andrade has been recognized as a tireless advocate for Venezuelan exiles arriving in South Florida. After witnessing waves of Venezuelans fleeing persecution, Ms. Andrade founded the non-profit organization Venezuela Awareness. This organization has identified the needs of families fleeing persecution and worked to address them. This includes finding living arrangements, arranging for daily needs, and securing legal assistance. One of the initiatives of Venezuela Awareness is called Raices Venezolanas, Venezuelan Roots. This program gives donated goods to displaced Venezuelan families. By involving other families, whether of Venezuelan origin or not, this initiative creates a sense of community involvement in these families' lives. Currently, Ms. Andrade serves as Human Rights Director for Venezuela Awareness and issues annual reports detailing the human rights violations of the Venezuelan government. Her work on human rights abuses in Venezuela has been used by the Department of State, and her advocacy has allowed some cases to be presented to the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Costa Rica. My office trusts her information and relies on her to keep us abreast of grave human rights violations under the Chavez and Maduro regimes. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to know Ms. Andrade and to recognize her remarkable work for Venezuelan exiles and for the State of Florida. Her tireless advocacy on behalf of those without many resources is admirable and has made a real impact on many. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable woman.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History Month, I rise today to honor Mali Gardner, a remarkable individual and public servant in Florida. Ms. Gardner was first elected to the Clewiston City Commission in October of 1999 and was reelected in 2003, 2008, and 2012. Ms. Gardner's work extends far beyond her important role on the Clewiston City Commission. In 2001, Ms. Gardner was appointed Mayor of Clewiston, where she served until 2010, and was elected Mayor once again in December 2016. Her tireless efforts on behalf of the public led her to become part of Governor Rick Scott's Economic Development Transition Team, where she worked to extend economic opportunities to Floridians across the state. Ms. Gardner's public service extends beyond her work on the Clewiston City Commission or her mayoral activities. Ms. Gardner is a Paul Harrison Fellow in the Clewiston Rotary Club. As a graduate of Clewiston High School, her commitment to the Clewiston community runs deep. Whether it is fighting for better schools or more economic opportunities for residents of Clewiston, it's a safe bet that Ms. Gardner is standing up for her constituents and neighbors. I have been privileged to work with Mali in her capacity as mayor, and been impressed time and again with her work ethic and devotion to her community. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to know Ms. Gardner and I greatly admire her service to the community. I have known Mali for many years, and she has consistently been among the most active, positive, and fore thinking individuals I have been privileged to work with. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her and her achievements.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I rise today to honor Donna Fiala. Her service as Collier County Commissioner has had major impact in Southwest Florida. Upon moving to Collier County, Ms. Fiala got involved in her community right away. She joined the Naples Junior Woman's Club, the Marco Island Kiwanis Club, the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, the Naples Press Club, and the Marco Island Historical Society. She now holds leadership positions in many of these organizations, and several others. Ms. Fiala decided to run for the office of President of the East Naples Civic Association, where she worked to improve her community by adding picnic benches, a playground, a ball field, and outdoor lighting. Her experiences as President influenced her decision to run for Collier County Commissioner. As Commissioner, Ms. Fiala has represented Collier County and the State of Florida for issues pertaining to the environment and safety in discussions with the National Association of Counties, and has served as chair of the Local Coordinating Board for the Transportation Disadvantaged, which works to increase access to transportation for those who are unable to drive. In May of 2015, the Donna Fiala Community Center at Eagle Lakes Community Park opened in East Naples. This community center serves as a safe place for children and families to gather for events and various activities. Commissioner Fiala's commitment to helping children and adults live healthy lives has continued. She is currently working to expand the facilities at the park to include a swimming pool complex. This facility reflects her longtime interests in healthy living and improving the appearance of her community. Commissioner Fiala's work has improved the lives of many in Collier County. The depth and breadth of her service is nothing short of remarkable. Throughout my time in Congress representing Collier County, I've always found Commissioner Fiala to be a dedicated partner as we've worked for the betterment of the Southwest Florida community. I am lucky to be able to collaborate with such a hard working woman who cares so deeply about her community. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to know Commissioner Fiala and I greatly admire her service to Collier County. Donna is an exemplary example of a private citizen who has chosen to use her many talents in service of those around her. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the activities of Cuba's Christian Liberation Movement, which works to bring freedom, democracy, and the rule of law to Cuba. The movement was founded by the late Oswaldo Paya, an activist who courageously struggled to bring freedom to Cuba until his death at the hands of the Castro regime in 2012. Today, another activist and leader of the Christian Liberation Movement, Eduardo Cardet, remains imprisoned in Holguin for simply opposing the totalitarianism of the Castro dictatorship. He was arrested in November 2016 and faces a fifteen year sentence. Other courageous activists such as artist Danilo Maldonado ``El Sexto'' and labor activist Ivan Hernandez Carrillo have been brutalized, threatened and imprisoned for shouldering the cause of liberty. Others such as Rosa Maria Paya, who bravely carries on the mission of her father Oswaldo, have chosen to continue the struggle for freedom in Cuba despite grave personal risks. The malevolent Castro regime has the blood of many innocents on its hands, and those who dare to oppose its tyranny. Mr. Speaker, I commend the determination and bravery of these and so many others who continue to press for human rights, basic liberties, and a genuine democratic transition in Cuba. They eloquently and effectively bring attention to the egregious human rights abuses that occur daily in Cuba. While repression continues to escalate in Cuba, so does the resolve of Cuba's pro-democracy movement. Today, Cuba's future is already being shaped by those working to bring about democratic change. The Cuban people will be free, and the perpetrators of their oppression will be held accountable for their crimes. In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I pray for the safety of those who continue the struggle for freedom in Cuba despite the enormity of the risks. I take this opportunity to express my wholehearted and unwavering solidarity with them, and urge my colleagues to continue their efforts in hastening their freedom.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the gentleman from Arizona for the time. And I also need to, in particular, thank Chairman Chaffetz for introducing this, I think, very important piece of legislation. We have heard what the issue is. Look, for years now the city of Miami Lakes, which I am privileged to represent, has attempted to receive a unique ZIP Code for all the same reasons that you have already heard. This would help with auto insurance rates, with branding and economic development, and, frankly, would lead to less election and census confusion, Mr. Speaker. So it is a no-brainer. But, unfortunately, the Postal Service has continued, and continues, to stonewall the city, despite absolutely no opposition from either anyone in Miami Lakes or, frankly, the areas around it. I have had meetings with the mayors from the areas around it, and everybody supports it. This legislation solves the problem and grants Miami Lakes its own ZIP Code. I really need to, by the way, give credit to then-Vice Mayor, now Mayor-elect of Miami Lakes, Manny Cid. He has made this a priority. He was told ``no'' time and time again, refused to accept that as an answer, and came to us. It has been a privilege to work with him. Because of his hard work, together, we were able to get the committee, with the chairman and the ranking member and all of the rest of the members of this committee, to get this done through the House. Again, I want to thank Congressman Chaffetz. I want to thank the committee staff. His staff has been great to work with. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the city of Miami Springs on the occasion of its 90th birthday. Miami Springs was founded in 1926 by aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss. Since that time, Miami Springs has grown to be home to 14,000 Floridians who prize the town for its small-town feel and civic amenities. Miami Springs has been distinguished with several awards. In recognition of the historic nature of the town and numerous buildings and memorials that illustrate Florida history, the city was designated a ``Preserve America Community'' by former First Lady Laura Bush in 2008. Today, visitors and residents can tour over twenty historic sites. Additionally, Miami Springs has been certified as a Tree City USA since 1993. For 90 years, Miami Springs has profited from and contributed to the community surrounding Miami International Airport. The city is a vibrant part of South Florida, and continues to be a wonderful place to live, raise a family, and open a business. I am proud to have collaborated with the thriving City of Miami Springs, and look forward to partnering with its leaders for many years to come. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the City of Miami Springs on this auspicious milestone, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this exceptional city.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the retirement of Mitch Herrick, who I have been privileged to work with for many years. Mitch Herrick began his career in aviation as an air traffic controller in Albany County, NY. Since 2005, he has served as an air traffic controller at Miami Air Traffic Control Tower and Terminal Radar Approach. In addition to the substantial responsibilities of his job, Mitch has also represented the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) as its local facility vice president and legislative representative. Mitch's career has had several notable highlights, including serving as the chair of NATCA's Realignment Committee, which works jointly with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that all air traffic control centers are working as efficiently as possible and serving the appropriate regions. Additionally, Mitch was the NATCA's lead representative in implementing a sweeping safety program, the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). Mitch worked with the FAA and Raytheon, a defense contractor, to upgrade the equipment that will keep passengers and our airspace safe. In recognition of his invaluable contributions to the air traffic controller profession, NATCA awarded Mitch with its highest legislative awards honor, the Trish Gilbert Legislative Activism Award, in 2013. In my work with Mitch, he has always proven to be straightforward, dependable, and honest. It is clear he has a true passion for his profession, and he has prioritized safety over politics and worked tirelessly to advance the interest of NATCA members. I am proud to be able to call Mitch a friend. I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Mitch on his illustrious and productive career, and thank him for his service both in the United States Marine Corps and as an air traffic controller. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mitch Herrick for his tremendous service to the Miami community, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chairman, I understand how important this issue is for the gentleman from Arkansas and for his constituents and salute him for his efforts. As we all know, our farmers are some of the most patriotic Americans. I believe we should do everything we can to help them sell American agricultural products throughout the world. But we cannot, at the same time, help a Communist regime that harbors and supports terrorists and fugitives from U.S. law, the largest confiscator of U.S. property in history, fails to pay its debt, is one of the worst violators of human rights and religious freedom in the Western Hemisphere, is a top counterintelligence threat to the United States and a threat to democracy in Latin America. I commit to my friend that I will sit down with him, along with my colleagues Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Curbelo, to come up with a solution that meets the needs of the farmers that we all represent but does not endanger our national security or support the Castro regime, its military, or intelligence services.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the FY17 Defense Appropriations bill. I would start, by the way, by thanking and commending the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Frelinghuysen, not only for putting together a great bill that recognizes the dangers that exist in this world, whether it is China and their expanding aggression around that part of the world, whether it is ISIS in the Middle East, or whether it is Russia with their aggressive nature. Wherever you look, Mr. Chairman, the world has gotten a lot more dangerous in the last number of years. So I want to thank the chairman for putting together a bill which will increase readiness, increase the number of the Armed Forces of the United States. I will close with this: All of those things are hugely important, and it is about time that we address them in an aggressive way like this bill does. To the chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense, Mr. Frelinghuysen, we all owe a great bit of gratitude for the way that he is treating and continues to treat the men and women in uniform, the men and women of the Armed Forces. This bill is a reflection of his passion for them. Again, this is a great bill. We can all be very proud of what this bill does. It is about time, and I thank the chairman for his leadership. I would ask for your favorable consideration of this bill.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank Chairman Rogers for his leadership on ensuring that the United States is able to do everything necessary to combat Zika, and do so immediately. South Florida is ground zero in the United States for this disease. So the funding that this bill provides is, frankly, critically important to Florida, especially, as we know, because mosquitos are most active during the summer months. This horrible disease has the capability to infect many, and we must focus on stopping it before it continues to spread. So I believe, Mr. Speaker, that we need to provide every dollar needed for Zika prevention, treatment, and response programs and, I would repeat, not one penny less. This bill is the second part of a three-pronged effort to combat this disease. First was the almost $600 million in repurposed Ebola funds. Now we are providing an additional $622 million for, again, a total of over $1.2 billion to deal with this disease. So let's be clear: if more funds are needed, Congress will step up and do what is necessary to make sure that, if those funds were necessary sometime in the future, they would be available. It is also crucial, Mr. Speaker, that President Obama's administration and the Centers for Disease Control provide Congress with detailed information as to how they plan to spend these proposed funds. Congress also has a responsibility to protect American taxpayers so that their hard-earned dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, much unlike, Mr. Speaker, the fiasco with those so-called ``shovel- ready'' programs. Let's make sure that we do not repeat that embarrassing fiasco and waste of taxpayers' money. So I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, as it does provide the funds necessary to fight Zika immediately--immediately, Mr. Speaker-- again, while also making sure that we protect the hard-earned American people's tax dollars. I once again want to thank the chairman for doing this so quickly, so efficiently, because Florida is ground zero.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the retirement of Major Rey Valdes, who has served the Miami-Dade community as a police officer for over thirty-one years. Major Valdes began his career as an officer, and has risen steadily through the ranks. Throughout his time in the Miami-Dade Police Department he has exhibited a passion for continued education, respect and compassion for his colleagues, and an understanding of the seriousness and importance of the profession he chose. At various times during his career, Major Valdes worked with the homicide bureau, the narcotics bureau, and warrants management in several different roles throughout the department. In his current position, Major Valdes is responsible for all aspects of the Communications Bureau of the Miami-Dade Police Department. The Communications Bureau is the largest 911 Center in the southeastern United States, and the fourth largest in the country. Even as he is preparing to leave the department, Major Valdes is currently studying to take the test to be certified as an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. This credential will add to his value as a Certified Fraud Examiner. He hopes to continue to work in the field of fraud examination after his retirement. Miami-Dade has been lucky to have had such an exceptional individual serving in its police force. Through the years, I have gotten to know Rey personally, as his daughter Katrina serves as my communications director, and am honored to call him a friend. I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Rey on his illustrious and productive career, and extend my warmest wishes to his wife Elizabeth, and children Giorey, Armani, and Katrina. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Major Rey Valdes for his tremendous service to the Miami community, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize three Naples men who have traveled 1,256 miles by bicycle from Naples, FL to Washington, DC to raise awareness for Gentle'men Against Domestic Violence (GADV), an initiative of The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples, FL. GADV calls on men to stand as equal partners with women to end domestic violence. GADV seeks to prevent the generational cycle of abuse through prevention programs such as Raising Gentle'men, a school-based curriculum, which teaches boys and young men that strength does not equal violence and true gentle'men exhibit the traits of respect, loyalty, honesty and accountability. GADV dispels myths of masculinity as based on aggression, and is working toward a cultural shift that will eliminate domestic violence. GADV is associated with The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples, which does excellent work as well. The shelter not only operates as a haven for survivors of domestic violence, but performs outreach and operates prevention programs in the community. The work that the shelter does has touched countless lives, strengthened the community, and drawn praise from various sectors of the South Florida community, including schools, police officers, and those involved with the judicial system. According to the National Council Against Domestic Violence, one in four women have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Numbers like that are far too high. We have a responsibility to continue to create policy that prevents, protects and prevails over domestic violence. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Colin Estrem, Gordon Kellam and Glen Schwesinger for their mission to raise awareness for the Gentle'men Against Domestic Violence program and The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples, and I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this worthy cause.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to five former political prisoners who arrived in Miami on March 15, 2016: Vladimir Morera Bacallao, Jorge Ramirez Calderon, Yojarne Arce, Aracelio Riviaux Noa, and Niorvis Rivera Guerra. These men were victims of vicious acts at the hands of Castro's thugs. Vladimir, Jorge, and Aracelio were among those on the so-called ``list of 53'' who were released as part of the Obama-Castro deal. Although Castro released these 53 wrongfully incarcerated political prisoners, many, including Vladimir, Jorge, and Aracelio, were rearrested. While in prison, Vladimir began a hunger strike on October 9, 2015. In December, I expressed grave concern for his health as he lingered near death in a Cuban prison, and in January wrote a letter to President Obama expressing serious concern for Jorge and others re- arrested on the list of 53. The five political prisoners I mentioned here were promised safe haven in the U.S., but their families remain in Cuba, subject to abuse and harassment at the hands of the Castro regime. These activists are extremely worried about their families in Cuba who are suffering retaliation because they had the courage to speak out against an unjust government. The Castro regime holds the worst human rights record in our hemisphere, and its repression has escalated. The concessions that President Obama has provided to the Castro dictatorship has emboldened the Cuban people's oppressors, and they further harass, brutalize, and abuse courageous activists such as these five individuals. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues in Congress to condemn the egregious human rights abuses perpetrated against Cuban pro-democracy activists and their families, and demand the immediate, unconditional release of all political prisoners.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History month I rise today to honor Mrs. Hilda Zimmerly, an outstanding individual from the state of Florida. Originally from Ohio, Mrs. Zimmerly moved to LaBelle, Florida in 1977 after previously serving as a teacher and a bookkeeper in her home state. While in Ohio, Mrs. Zimmerly paused her college education in order to fill the need for teachers in the region, taking up part time teaching during her third year of college, all while balancing family and her other job as a secretary. Once she moved to LaBelle, she continued to work as a secretary to provide for her family and three young children. Mrs. Zimmerly eventually saved up enough to open up Hilda's Stitchery Shoppe. It was located in the same building as the business she served as a secretary, which enabled her to work both jobs concurrently. While working two jobs and raising a family, she was still able to stay active in the church, singing in the choir, and participating in youth leadership. Although she had a small business, Mrs. Zimmerly had always wanted to go back to teaching. When a job became available in Glades County in the nearby town of Moore Haven, Mrs. Zimmerly moved on to become this school's librarian after earning her degree from the University of South Florida in media specialty. Her goal of teaching full time became a reality when she was hired in 1994 as a 4th grade teacher at LaBelle Elementary, teaching there one year until she transferred to County Oaks Elementary School also in LaBelle. Mrs. Zimmerly retired from County Oaks Elementary after a distinguished fourteen-year career. After her retirement, Hilda enjoyed her time sewing, scrapbooking and reading until she decided to try her hand at politics. She ran for City Commissioner with the help of her thirteen grandchildren, and won. She has served the city for ten years in this role. While serving as City Commissioner she has been involved in tourism development, the citizens traffic safety board and she is an active participant in City Government. She hopes to continue in this role for the foreseeable future. I am privileged to know Mrs. Zimmerly, and admire her commitment to the community through a career of education and dedicated public service. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mrs. Zimmerly for her continued service to Southwest Florida, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History Month, I rise today to honor Officer Lourdes Hernandez, an outstanding individual in the South Florida community. Officer Hernandez first joined the Miami-Dade Police Department in 1997. After two years in the force, she decided to take a leave of absence and enlist in the United States Army Reserves. Officer Hernandez served honorably for seven months, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her service. Officer Hernandez returned to the Miami-Dade Police Department as part of the Intracoastal District's Crime Suppression Team, but quickly moved to the Miami-Dade Narcotics Bureau, where she has been for the past thirteen years. Officer Hernandez's most recent accomplishment is the completion of Miami-Dade's Special Response Team (SRT) boot camp training. This five week program is extremely mentally and physically grueling. Officer Hernandez is the only woman to have completed the updated course, which is a testament to her strength and tenacity. It is worth noting that Hernandez's determination to achieve this goal was formed nearly three years ago. Her focus and seriousness of purpose clearly go above and beyond the usual. Officer Hernandez sets a high priority on physical and tactical training. She appreciates the dangers that officers see in the field and remains committed to keeping herself, her fellow officers, and every citizen as safe as possible. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Officer Lourdes Hernandez for her continued service to South Florida, and the world at large, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History month I rise today to honor Ms. Belinda Keiser, a remarkable individual in the State of Florida. Ms. Keiser has dedicated her life to working for others, specifically in the areas of education, public service, and philanthropy. She has served as Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Student Advancement for Keiser University, where she is responsible for media and public relations, student services, employer relations, and charitable giving. Ms. Keiser manages an institution of higher education that is comprised of 17 locations throughout Florida, South America and Shanghai, China, with a student count of approximately 20,000 students and 3,500 employees. Through her role, she has broadened the school's reach, built on its strong reputation, and stayed true to its founders' vision. The effects of Ms. Keiser's service have also been felt in public service, where she has served as an Ex-Officio member of the Florida Council of 100, as an appointee of Gov. Rick Scott to the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, and on the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force. Currently, Belinda is serving as a reappointed member of the 17th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission of Broward County, and is also working as a member of the Board of Florida's Chamber of Commerce. She still manages to contribute a large portion of her time and resources to numerous charitable organizations including the American Cancer Society, Operation Homefront, and the United States Marine Corps. Belinda's ongoing efforts truly impacted Florida's economic and workforce welfare, global competitiveness, and the legal, education and healthcare communities. I look forward to working with her on our shared priorities in the future. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to know Ms. Keiser and admire her service to the local community in South Florida, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History month I rise today to honor Ms. Aracely Gomez, an outstanding individual in the South Florida community. Ms. Gomez has been recognized as a respected member of the community for her work in social care, substance abuse prevention, and mental health. Ms. Gomez began her career in social work in 2004 as a substance abuse counselor for Collier County Counseling. In her next positions, she moved from purely clinical work to take on increasingly complex advocacy roles. She represented Youth Haven, which cares for neglected and abandoned youth, on the Spanish language program ``Esencias,'' and participated in the Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida's move to integrate behavioral health with traditional primary care. She also worked with the PACE Center for Girls, an organization that works to keep at-risk girls in a safe and productive environment that fosters their growth. Ms. Gomez also founded Lolita's Hispanic Family Center, which is a family resource center that promotes, implements, and advocates for bilingual, culturally competent evidence-based programs to enhance the quality of life of Hispanic and other minorities in Southwest Florida. In addition, she is also a board member of the Immokalee Housing and Family Services, a facilitator of the Immokalee Interagency Council, and an organizer of Hispanic Women in Healthcare of Collier County. In each of her positions, Aracely Gomez has demonstrated compassionate care. She is passionate about improving access to behavioral services, especially for minorities. She has worked for established institutions and created new ones where she sees a need. I am privileged to know Ms. Gomez, and admire her commitment to the community. Aracely's efforts have touched the lives of many people in Southwest Florida. She has surpassed many barriers and has brought forth valuable service urgently needed in combating the challenges in mental health, social work and Hispanic outreach in our local communities. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Aracely Gomez for her continued service to the State of Florida, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. I thank the chairman. Madam Speaker, I, in essence, only want to make four brief points. Number one is that, I, too, have concerns with lots of parts of this bill. There are parts that I wish were different. I think all of us do. But there are a number of reasons why I think it is important that we move forward on this legislation. Number one, this helps avoid a devastating hit to senior citizens in the district that I represent and, frankly, senior citizens across the entire country that deserve to be protected by those of us that represent them up here in Washington. Number two, when we are able to move forward on the appropriations process, which this legislation will allow us to do, that is a way that allows every Member of this House to have input. Every Member of this House has been part of that process. So for those of us who believe in regular order and inclusiveness and in making sure that every Member has a word and a say as to how we move forward, this bill will allow us to move forward on that very open process. Lastly--and we have heard this before--it is no secret that the world has gotten a lot more dangerous, and you have heard the numbers. We are devastating our military at a time when we are asking them to do more and more and when the world is becoming more and more dangerous. So let me just leave with this last, final point. Are we going to allow our military to continue to receive cuts at a time when they should actually be helped and should actually have increased spending or are we going to permit the devastating of our men and women in uniform, of the U.S. military, at this time in our history? My dear friends, I, for one, am not going to sit back, if I can do anything about it, and allow the U.S. military to be devastated by more budget cuts. So, therefore, I respectfully urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Redlands Christian Migrant Association on their 50th anniversary, and to commend its exemplary service to the Florida community. The Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) was founded by members of the Mennonite Church in 1965. They had noticed that the children of migrant workers faced extraordinarily dangerous conditions when they went into the fields with their parents. Parents had no other option but to bring their children with them into fields as they harvested crops. The RCMA brought in caregivers from the cultures of the workers to establish trust between the parents and their children's caregivers. The level of trust and close contact with the community formed the basis of the RCMA's successful model of provider to many cultures. The RCMA began its service with seventy-five children in two facilities. It now serves over 8,000 children in over eighty-five centers. These facilities serve a large range of needs in the community. The RCMA's Early Head Start centers accept children as young as six weeks, while its after-school programs cater to ages 6 through 16. On all levels, the association prioritizes safety, health, and education. Having dealt with the RCMA for a number of years, I know the level of commitment and dedication that the entire organization has for its work. It has served thousands of families and become an integral part of our community. I am proud to say that the RCMA serves so many families in our state. They are truly a model of an organization that cares. I look forward to many more years of working with the RCMA, and wish them nothing but the best. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Redlands Christian Migrant Association for its continued service in Florida and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable organization.

Mr. DIAZ-BALART

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against a deal which I believe will become one of the most dangerous mistakes in U.S. history. This deal does not stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear program. It recognizes and legitimizes their nuclear program in short order. It allows Iran to develop ballistic missiles and brings an end to the arms embargo against that regime. It frees up hundreds of billions of dollars to fund and export terrorism. I am convinced that this deal will also lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. This deal, Mr. Speaker, is one of the biggest mistakes that we, our children, and our grandchildren will pay a very dear price for. Mr. Speaker, history will record this deal as the moment that the United States and the world granted the largest, most dangerous sponsor of terrorism that which it covets the most, nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. I hope I am wrong, Mr. Speaker, but I fear that I am not.