Marco Rubio

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, at noon today, Joe Biden was sworn in as our new President. I never served with President Biden when he was a Senator, but I can tell you, from direct and firsthand experience, that he is a man of tremendous empathy. I have witnessed it. And so I pray that God will bless him with strength, with health, and with wisdom, because I don't need to tell anyone that we, in our Nation, are living in troubled times. President Trump was elected and then, in this last cycle, received 75 million votes, in part because he spoke to and was brutally honest about some of the grievances and the fears that are now dividing our country. It is important to understand that he didn't create them, and that is why his exit alone is not going to make America normal again. The troubles we face and the things that now divide us really aren't so much about politics or about ideology. If you look into them, they are really more about the things that are at the core of our identity as a nation and as a people. Our people want a country where everybody has the opportunity to find a good job, to get married, to live in a safe neighborhood, to not go into debt because they have a baby, to send their kids to a good school, and one day to retire with dignity and security. But we have millions of Americans who increasingly feel that that kind of life and those kinds of things are out of reach for them, and they are really frustrated that neither those in government or either political party seem to be doing much about them. The people need a sense of belonging and purpose, but the places that we used to get that from--our families, the community groups we joined, the synagogues, the churches--many of them are in collapse. So now you have millions of people who feel isolated or alienated and some who are turning to hyperpartisan politics and even online conspiracy cults to fill the void that those institutions once filled. The overwhelming majority of Americans reject racism and bigotry and discrimination. But they also reject identity politics, which constantly seems to want to divide us against and apart from each other on the basis of race and ethnicity and gender. We are a nation that is proud of our heritage as a nation of immigrants, but millions of Americans--I would say the majority--also believe we are a nation that has to have immigration laws. They need to be followed, and they need to be enforced. Most Americans accept that our country, our society is changing, and they understand that there are people with different views and different ways of life. What they do resent is efforts to demonize and to persecute those who hold the traditional values that are inherited from our Judeo-Christian heritage. Most Americans believe decency and morality require that everyone is entitled to dignity and to respect. But there are also many growing increasingly tired of walking on eggshells of political correctness and forced to undergo sensitivity training because everyone seems to be so easily offended these days by everything. People understand that we have to do something. It is a problem. We have do something about people who use social media to spread dangerous lies, to instigate violence. But I think they also have a right to be very troubled that five CEOs of technology companies--five people in five companies, elected by no one, accountable to no one--have the power, if they so choose, to wipe out, to silence anyone--even a President. And I would tell you that, almost without exception, they were horrified--horrified--about what happened here 2 weeks ago today. They want those people in jail. But they also wonder: Where was that outrage when this summer, in multiple cities, across a number of months, there were people setting fire to police cars and breaking into police stations and attacking courthouses and looting private property? I will tell you that they see firsthand every day the extraordinary damage being done by this terrible pandemic and the damage being done by our bitter divisions, which, frankly, I think most Americans will never understand why the first thing we are going to do here, potentially, is an impeachment trial of a President who isn't even in office anymore. What happened today was incredibly important. The pageantry, the rituals behind it--it matters. And for the 59th time in our history, we peacefully transferred power from one leader to the next. I think the fact that that happened on the very steps of this Capitol, where just 2 weeks ago on this day we saw an unimaginable attack on democracy, that should serve as a reminder to all of us in this country and a powerful message to the world that our Republic remains resilient. But now the hard work of self-government begins, and these anxieties I have just described--the tens of millions of Americans--need to be acknowledged, and they need to be addressed. If they are ignored, if they are allowed to fester, what it will do is it will leave us not just a nation that is paralyzed and can't take action on important issues; we are going to be left a nation that remains vulnerable to those who are willing to exploit and stir the most destructive impulses. Today, President Biden struck important tones of national unity, and I believe they were sincere. But pursuing a radical agenda in a country so divided does not serve the cause of unity. It will only serve cynicism that destroys trust. By the same token, continuing to fan the flames of grievances or, in the alternative, pursuing vengeance disguised as accountability will not serve the cause of unity either. That is nothing but the politics of resentment and retribution, which only leads to a fractured nation of people who literally come to hate each other. Demanding that the other side in a debate on a topic, on a principle, agree with you on everything isn't unity. That is the arrogance of believing that any of us--that we are the sole holders of the truth: Anyone who agrees with us is good, and anyone who disagrees with us is wrong--not just wrong but, actually, evil. The truth is that real unity isn't everyone having the same ideology or the same views or the same ideas. The unity we need actually comes from remembering--remembering who we actually are. We Americans are not a racist or nativist people. We are a good and compassionate people who--in an overwhelming majority, they do not ask about race when they donate unwrapped toys so that no child has to wake up on Christmas morning with no present under the tree. They don't ask where a soldier's or sailor's or airman's or airwoman's parents came from when they put together and send care packages to them halfway around the world that they defend. We Americans are a bold people. In our veins literally runs the blood of pilgrims, of settlers, of exiles, of immigrants, of people who overcame slavery and segregation. We are the descendants of people who refused to surrender to fear and to abandon the hope of a better life. We Americans are not the inheritors of an American dream that is some prize that we have to fight against one another for in some winner- take-all competition. We are the inheritors of an American dream that anyone can achieve without it being denied to someone else. This is who we were when this country inspired and changed the world, and I hope this is who we will be again: a people who disagree over principles, who argue over policies--that has to happen because our Republic depends on every view having a voice and every voice having a place to be heard--but also a people who now understand that the choice before us is, we will either find a way to share a nation and a future, or we will all share the condemnation of history and the rebuke of Americans yet to come. I yield the floor.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, over the last weeks and days leading up to this vote here today, I have heard from a lot of people about this vote, and I guess I want to address it as much to them as anybody else. These are people I know. These are friends. These are neighbors. These are longtime supporters, generally people on my side of the political aisle. And they are upset. They are upset. They look at the media, and the media, they censored stories that might have been negative toward Joe Biden or were negative toward Joe Biden, and social media companies helped them out. And they saw how some States tinkered with and even mutilated State election laws, and they have doubts that the election was legitimate. It gives this country this extraordinary crisis of confidence, which is very dangerous because democracy is very fragile, and it is not held together by elections. Democracy is held together by people's confidence in the election and their willingness to abide by its results. So the notion was we need to do something; we need to fight. Several of my colleagues have adopted the idea--and I respect it--that they are going to object. Now, listen, it is important to understand something. Even the people objecting in the Senate recognize that it is not going to pass. It is not going to change the outcome, but it is going to send a message, and it is going to make a point. The problem is I think it is a terrible idea at this moment. Just hours ago, a young lady died in this Capitol. That means somebody, somewhere in this country, got a phone call that their daughter was dead. Their daughter was going to a political rally; she is dead--died in this Capitol, somewhere not far from where we are standing. We had police officers--the men and women we walk by every single day, who guard the doors and we say hello to--out there with riot gear getting spit on and attacked today--not 10 weeks ago; just a few hours ago. I think it is important to think about all those things on a night like tonight with everything that has happened. I wouldn't even be here today--I doubt very much whether I would have even been interested in politics--had it not been for my grandfather. He died when I was 14, but I grew up at his knee. He would sit on the porch and would smoke three cigars a day, and he loved history. He was born in 1899 in rural Cuba. It was still governed by the United States. It was a protectorate. Three years later, it gained its independence and became a republic. During my grandfather's first 60 years of life, he saw his country have an armed insurrection after a contested election, multiple Presidents go into exile, two military coups, and the rise of a Marxist dictator--a tyranny that stands to this day. My entire life--my entire life I have lived with and next to people who came to America because their country was chaotic and their country was unsafe. What I saw today--what we have seen--looks more like those countries than the extraordinary Nation that I am privileged to call home, and I think about the mockery that it makes of our country. A lot of people say: Oh, well, China, China. Let me just say something. In all modesty, no one here has worked harder on the issue of China. They hate my guts. I am sanctioned--I don't know what they are sanctioning--double sanctioned, and I can't travel there. I wasn't planning to anyway. China is laughing. They are loving this tonight. In Beijing they are high-fiving because they point to this and they say: This is proof the future belongs to China. America is in decline. Vladimir Putin--there is nothing Vladimir Putin could have come up with better than what happened here. It makes us look like we are in total chaos and collapse--not to mention the Ayatollah, who is probably bragging, if he has buddies, to his buddies: Look what is happening to the Great Satan. I think politics has made us crazy. Everybody in this country has lost their minds on politics, and we have forgotten that America is not a government, America is not a President, America is not a Congress. Let me tell you what America is. America is your family. America is your faith. America is your community. That is America. That is what our adversaries don't understand, and that is what we need to remember. That is how we are going to rebuild this country and turn the page and have a future even brighter than our past. So that is why I feel so strongly about this and why I hope those who disagree with me will understand. I yield the floor.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, this explanation reflects the status of negotiations and disposition of issues reached between the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The explanation shall have the same effect with respect to the implementation of this act as if it were a joint explanatory statement of a conference committee. I ask unanimous consent that the joint explanatory statement for the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 be printed into the Record.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit that drives our economy. It is my privilege to recognize a family-owned small business committed to investing in its community. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Aunt Catfish's on the River, of Port Orange, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. A long-time resident of Port Orange, Jim followed in the Galbreath family tradition of entrepreneurship. His mother, Ann Galbreath, founded and ran a restaurant called Marko's Drive-In in the 1950s. After it closed briefly, Jim bought Marko's and reopened it. Building on his experience, Jim used an old fishing dock to open a new restaurant in 1979, Aunt Catfish's on the River. More than 40 years later, Aunt Catfish's on the River is still family-owned and operated. Jim's son, Brendan Galbreath, who started as a teenager, took the helm, keeping the business in the family. Under his leadership, Aunt Catfish's has stayed true to its reputation for outstanding service and delicious cuisine. The Galbreath family's focus on building strong relationships with their community is a key part of their success. During the coronavirus pandemic, Aunt Catfish's opened a drive-through operation and expanded its carryout services. Brendan served on the Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce/City of Port Orange Reopening Task Force, working with local business owners, civic leaders, and public health experts. Together, they designed and implemented the Port Orange Phase One Reopening Plan, enabling their community to reopen safely. Additionally, Aunt Catfish's on the River participated in the chamber's ``I Am, I Go, I Support Local'' campaign to support local businesses. Like many Florida small businesses, Aunt Catfish's on the River experienced a sharp drop in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID- 19 pandemic. Aunt Catfish's on the River used their PPP loan to keep their employees paid, while maintaining the highest health and safety standards for their customers. Aunt Catfish's on the River is a notable example of the endurance and resilience of family-owned small businesses. Through their advocacy and service, Aunt Catfish's on the River has strengthened their local small business community. Congratulations to Brendan and the entire team at Aunt Catfish's on the River. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I was alerted that someone in my household had been in close contact with several people who have tested positive for Covid-19. In an effort to avoid potentially exposing the passengers and crew on my flight, and my staff and colleagues in the Senate, both myself the member of my household took a PCR test in Florida and are currently awaiting the results.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a family-owned small business that promotes American health and wellness by operating a gym and fitness business. This week, it is my pleasure to recognize Bayshore Fit of Tampa, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 2012, partners Jeff Fink and Beth Scanlan founded Bayshore Fit in Tampa, FL. Both Jeff and Beth had years of experience training for marathons, bodybuilding, and fitness competitions. Together, they created a gym that met the demand for a personalized alternative to large national gym chains. Jeff and Beth focused on helping every customer meet their health goals, developing a family-friendly, relationship-driven business. As their client base grew, they quickly moved their gym into a larger facility. Today, Bayshore Fit continues to serve the Tampa area, with members ranging from first-time gym attendees to senior citizens and even professional athletes. The gym has been featured in local media, recognizing their significant membership growth and continued emphasis on personalized programs. Bayshore Fit's emphasis on healthy living extends to their philanthropic endeavors. They are involved with the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Westshore Alliance in Tampa's Westshore business district. For more than 8 years, Bayshore Fit has sponsored local youth sports teams. They regularly support local nonprofit organizations, including Frameworks of Tampa Bay, Inc., which fosters youth social and emotional development. Like many of Florida's small businesses, Bayshore Fit temporarily closed its doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff and Beth used their PPP loan to keep their business operating until Florida allowed gyms to reopen. Bayshore Fit pivoted to provide virtual classes and video training sessions. When they reopened, Bayshore Fit developed an outdoor workout facility. They also introduced a Bayshore Fit app to manage workout class schedules and the number of people allowed to enter the gym. Bayshore Fit exemplifies the unique role of relationship-driven small businesses in building communities. I commend their support to youth athletics programs and promoting public health. Congratulations to Jeff, Beth, and the entire team at Bayshore Fit. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today I recognize and honor the career of Janice Donaldson, Director of the Small Business Development Center--SBDC--at the University of North Florida, UNF. At the end of this month, she will retire after serving the small business community for 31 years. Since 1981, Mrs. Donaldson has supported small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Jacksonville area. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1980, Janice joined the SBDC at UNF as editor of the office newsletter. After 21 years with the office, Mrs. Donaldson took over as director in 2002 and has been a resilient leader throughout her years of service. During her tenure as director, the center's service area grew immensely, from one office serving five counties, to seven offices serving 18 counties. Additionally, SBDC expanded its services from supporting entrepreneurs, to now enabling clients to grow their existing small businesses. In her final year as director, Mrs. Donaldson faced one of her most difficult challenges yet. The COVID-19 pandemic forced her office to work remotely where they had to quickly acclimate to the ever-changing economic conditions. Under her leadership, the SBDC team worked diligently to help small businesses adapt to the pandemic, advising on financial assistance opportunities available, including the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. This year alone, the center has participated in more than 20,000 consulting hours and facilitated the awards of approximately $50 million in capital to small businesses in her region. Over the years, Mrs. Donaldson has shown paramount dedication to small businesses. She has played a critical role in the economic growth of northeast Florida and has nurtured the American dream. Mrs. Donaldson will be greatly missed by her colleagues and the thousands of business owners she has assisted throughout her notable career. I wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a family-owned business that invests heavily in its customers, employees, and community. Today, it is my honor to name the Lucky Goat Coffee Company of Tallahassee, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 2010, Ben Pautsch founded Lucky Goat Coffee Company as a coffee wholesale and distribution company. Ben, a graduate of Florida State University--FSU--focused on providing high-quality beans to local coffee cafes. The Tallahassee-based business grew quickly as orders poured in. Their reputation for roasting the best grounds led to the creation of the first Lucky Goat coffee shop in 2015. The appealing storefront and large warehouse allowed Lucky Goat to spread their knowledge and passion for coffee through various classes and tours, strengthening their customer relationships in the process. Today, Lucky Goat Coffee has grown to include five coffee shops in Tallahassee and a franchise location in Jacksonville. Their Tallahassee-based headquarters provides more than 350 wholesale customers across the country with premium coffee beans. Ben keeps his strong relationship with FSU. Lucky Goat Coffee products are featured on campus, and Ben regularly hires FSU students and alumni. From the start, Ben has been committed to creating dignified work. He prioritizes career development and professional growth for his employees, with one-time baristas moving up to serve in senior management within the company. Over the years, Lucky Goat Coffee has been recognized for its growth and remained committed to investing in its community. In 2017, then- Governor Rick Scott recognized Lucky Goat Coffee with a Governor's Business Ambassador Award. As one of the 100 fastest growing companies owned or led by Florida State University alumnus, Lucky Goat Coffee was named to the Seminole 100 in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Ben mentors young entrepreneurs interested in the coffee industry, and Lucky Goat Coffee supports local youth-focused organizations, including local Little League teams and Cub Scouts. They also help Leon County Schools, donating much-needed school supplies for students and equipment, including coffee, for the teachers. Like many Florida small businesses, Lucky Goat Coffee suffered a severe decline in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. A PPP loan gave Lucky Goat the support it needed to retain its employees and survive the pandemic. Lucky Goat Coffee is a notable example of a small business that provides dignified work to its employees and invests in its community. Through their passion and generosity, Lucky Goat fuels Floridians every day with its delicious coffee and supports them through community service. Congratulations to Ben and the entire team at Lucky Goat. I look forward to your continued success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a veteran-owned small business known for excellence and outstanding craftsmanship. This week, it is my pleasure to recognize Boyd Industries, Inc., of Clearwater, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 2012, Adrian LaTrace purchased Boyd Industries, a dental and medical equipment manufacturing company that was established in 1957 as a custom residential furniture manufacturer. Founder William Boyd pioneered the lounge-style dentistry chair, now a standard feature in dental offices nationwide. As ``sit-down'' dentistry became more common, Boyd Industries reinvented itself as a cabinet, medical chair, and exam equipment manufacturer. More than 60 years later, owner and CEO Adrian LaTrace has continued Boyd Industries' tradition of innovation and growth. A native of the Fort Walton Beach-Destin area, Adrian graduated from The Citadel before serving 8 years in the U.S. Air Force. Under his leadership, Boyd has remained committed to its core values of integrity, respect, innovation, loyalty, and dependability. Veterans are the heart of Boyd Industries' workforce, with servicemembers from four branches of the military currently represented at the company. Attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship have earned Boyd Industries a reputation for excellence. They are widely regarded as the top oral and implant surgery equipment provider in the nation. Notably, Boyd Industries manufactures the majority of its product components at its Clearwater facility. Additional components are sourced from U.S.- based companies, and Boyd assembles all products in-house. Under Adrian's leadership, Boyd Industries has earned industry awards and invested in its community. High-quality products have earned Boyd Industries the Townie Choice Award for 8 consecutive years. Laird Plastics recognized Boyd Industries with the Environmental Excellence Award from 2015-2018, citing its increased recycling and sustainability. Collaborating with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Association of Orthodontists, Boyd Industries has contributed to developing orthodontist training and best practices, and furnished dental residency training facilities. Additionally, Boyd Industries regularly donates surplus cabinetry to Habitat for Humanity and has supported the Clearwater Free Clinic for decades. As an essential business, Boyd Industries managed to stay open, keep their employees safe, and adapt to the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, the SBA launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite experiencing a drop in revenue, a PPP loan enabled Boyd Industries to retain 77 jobs. Boyd Industries exemplifies the critical importance of small businesses in the medical manufacturing industrial base. Their outstanding craftsmanship and continual innovation are commendable. Congratulations to Adrian and the entire team at Boyd Industries, Inc. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today, I honor the life and legacy of Scott Irving Peek, Sr., who passed away on November 10, 2020 at the age of 94. Known to many as Scotty, he was raised in Jacksonville, FL, with a strong work ethic that carried him through a storied life and career. After high school, Scotty served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II. He then went to the University of Florida on a track scholarship in 1945; however, his service to our Nation took precedence, and he served in the U.S. Army from 1946 through 1948. He then returned to UF, where he played both football and track and in 1952 earned his degree in physical education, health, and recreation. After college, Scotty heard the calling for public service and began a career on Capitol Hill, serving as an aide to Florida's U.S. Senator George Smathers. His advice and counsel was lauded, and he quickly became an integral member of Senator Smathers' team and family. He served his State and Nation with honor. It was in Washington, DC that he met his wife, Lillian Barretto, and perhaps his greatest accomplishment, together they raised six children: Nancy, Rosemary, Scott Jr., Catherine, William, and George. After returning to Florida, Scotty started a public relations firm and enjoyed a successful career in many ventures, including real estate. If you knew Scotty, you knew he was passionate about his family and the University of Florida. He served in multiple capacities for the UF Foundation, and that incredible work was honored by three UF Presidents. Through his devotion to his wife of 65 years, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends, there is no doubt that Scotty left a mark on this world. I honor his life and continued legacy.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. It is an honor to recognize a family-owned small business known for its industry leadership and local philanthropy. Today, it is my pleasure to name Anna Maria Oyster Bar of Bradenton, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. As a student at Clemson University, John Horne spent his summers working at a restaurant on the Florida shore. Drawn to the hospitality industry, John chose to pursue a business degree and establish his own restaurant. After earning his degree, he worked in several hospitality roles, gaining both managerial and front-line experience. John achieved his goal in 1997, opening the original Anna Maria Oyster Bar--AMOB--on the Anna Maria City Pier. Its family-oriented atmosphere and delicious food proved a hit, leading to a second location in 2002. Twenty years later, Anna Maria Oyster Bar has expanded to four locations in the Bradenton area and has become a local favorite. The business remains family-owned, with John's wife, Amanda, directing marketing and community involvement. Their strong sense of family has built a tight-knit and supportive team that still includes some of their first employees. John is a champion of Manatee County's hospitality industry, a strong advocate of his trade and his work on philanthropic projects. AMOB has been recognized as Small Business of the Year by the Manatee, Sarasota, and Longboat Key Chambers of Commerce. John was also named the 2018 Anna Maria Island Rotary Club Small Businessperson of the Year. AMOB also received the Champion of Tourism Award from the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the 2020 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Award from TripAdvisor. In 2017, John and Amanda founded Dive Into Reading, a summer reading and mentorship program. Collaborating with local elementary schools, AMOB has provided more than 500 underprivileged schoolchildren free meals, one-one-mentorship, and free books. For its impact, Dive Into Reading earned the National Restaurant Educational Foundation 2018 Restaurant Neighbor Award and the 2019 Leadership Florida Impact Award. Like many Florida small businesses, Anna Maria Oyster Bar temporarily closed its doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. John and Amanda used their PPP loan to keep their more than 320 employees on the payroll until their restaurants reopened in May. Anna Maria Oyster Bar is a notable example of the critical role of relationship-driven small businesses in building community. Through their philanthropy and industry leadership, AMOB has provided dignified work and invested in the next generation. Congratulations to John, Amanda, and the entire team at Anna Maria Oyster Bar. I look forward to watching your continued growth and leadership.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a small business with award-winning innovation that provides high-quality service and is active in its community. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Scotlynn USA Division, Inc., of Fort Myers, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Ryan Carter founded Scotlynn USA Division, Inc., in 2010, the year after the Great Recession ended. Ryan worked for a Cincinnati freight brokerage firm and identified a market demand for reliable, customer- focused delivery of time-sensitive perishable goods. Together, Ryan and his younger brother, Brad, established Scotlynn USA in Fort Myers as a transportation and logistics provider in southwest Florida. The business grew quickly, moving in 2012 from their original 900-square- foot office into their current 12,000-square-foot building. Today, Scotlynn USA has grown into an award-winning logistics firm operating a truck fleet and freight brokerage that distributes perishable foods nationwide. Ryan serves as the executive vice president, and Brad is in a managerial role. They foster a sense of community among their employees, resulting in high employee retention rates, and they prioritize hiring veterans. Ryan serves on a number of nonprofit boards and volunteers with several organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and St. Matthews House. Uniquely, Scotlynn USA provides its employees 16 hours of annual leave to volunteer with local organizations. Scotlynn USA has received industry recognition for its entrepreneurship and innovation. Notably, it received early help from the Florida Small Business Development Center--SBDC--located at Florida Gulf Coast University, FGCU. They provided Scotlynn resources, including mentorship, business planning, and access to capital advice to help them establish their business. In 2019, the Florida SBDC at FGCU awarded Ryan the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year title. This year, Ryan was named as the 2020 U.S. Small Business Administration--SBA--Florida Small Business Person of the Year and was named first runner-up for the SBA 2020 Small Business Person of the Year. Like many Floridian small businesses, Scotlynn USA rose to the occasion and supported their community during the coronavirus pandemic. Working with Feeding America, they raised funds for charity and distributed more than 3,500 free meals. Partnering with Community Cooperative and Midwest Food Bank, Scotlynn USA donated logistical support and truck space, enabling these two food banks to distribute approximately 2 million pounds of food to Floridians in need. As an essential business, Scotlynn USA managed to stay open, keep their employees safe, and play a key role in keeping our Nation's supply chains running smoothly. In April 2020, the SBA launched the Paycheck Protection Program--PPP--a small business relief program I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to their PPP loan, Scotlynn USA was able to retain 214 jobs and continued serving their customers and community. Scotlynn USA exemplifies the critical role that small businesses play in investing in community development. Their leadership and commitment to their customers and employees is commendable, especially during these unprecedented times. Congratulations to Ryan, Brad and the entire team at Scotlynn USA Division, Inc. I look forward to your continued success in Florida and throughout the United States.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, I don't know of any topic that is more supported around here than the helping of small businesses. I think the biggest evidence of that is that I would venture to guess almost every Member of this body has at some point gone back home and bragged about what we were able to achieve together in a bipartisan way. And to remind everybody, this program has never existed before. It was put together in a bipartisan way with the ranking member, the Senator from Maryland you just heard from. We worked on it--I think it was 6 or 7 days. And it wasn't a perfect program. Like anything new, this big, that fast, it had some hiccups, and we worked in a bipartisan way with the administration to implement it. I will say this without any reservation: It was by far the single most effective piece of that CARES package, and there isn't a day that goes by when I am back in Florida or, frankly, anywhere in the country that I don't hear about it. I don't know anyone who hasn't. One of the most common themes when we go places is a small business owner who says PPP was a lifesaver, and then they ask: Is there more on the way, because we are still struggling? That it is a lifesaver is without question. I mean, I look at Florida. Over 430,000 of these PPP loans--which, really, in most cases are going to end up being grants--were made. That is $32 billion of relief into our economy. The ranking member's home State--87,000. I looked at some other States just quickly on the way over here. Iowa, 61,000. In North Carolina, 129,000 of these were made. Michigan, 128,000. Arizona, 85,000. In Colorado, 109,000 of these were made. Montana, 23,000. The State of Maine, where Senator Collins was a key part of all this, 28,000. Georgia, neighboring Florida, 174,000. I could go on and on. Another thing we should be really proud about as far as PPP is that two-thirds of the loans--the grants--were under $50,000, which tells you about the size of these businesses. In fact, 70 percent--70 percent--of these were made to businesses that had 10 employees or fewer. By far, it was the most effective thing we did. You can look at the jobs figures. I have this chart up here just to show it. PPP and small business employment--you look at the precipitous dropoff in March, and then once PPP began to get disbursed, you see those numbers, and as the disbursal goes up, the chart goes up. Now, are they perfect? No. Will we want it back up here? Of course. Are there businesses that didn't make it? Sadly, yes. But there are people working right now. There are small businesses that were going to be wiped off the face of this country's economy that are open to this day because of what we were able to do. But it expired, meaning that you could only get it once. There was a date where it cut off. The ranking member wisely moved and we all agreed and we were able to extend it by another month to help people apply, but now you can't go back. So what do you do? You are a business or restaurant, for example, and you used PPP once and have expended that money over 24 weeks, and now you are in the same boat or potentially in the same place you were back in March and April. The money is gone, the customers aren't back yet, and you are about to close and people are about to get laid off. So we need to do a second round. There are a lot of other things we can do for small business--I agree with that wholeheartedly--but this is one that I think we have to do because there is tremendous agreement. The reason it is not happening is because, No. 1, some people think of it as leverage. Everyone likes PPP, so let's hold out on it. Let's not do it until it is part of a broader package of things unrelated to small business because it is so popular. It is the carrot that will bring everybody toward supporting the broader deal. That may have made sense back in May or June, but not now, not in October, not since we have long since expended the moneys that these companies received, and now they are facing the same situation they were back in March and early April. Now we have to do what we can. I don't think we can fall--unfortunately, we have, but it is not very smart to fall into this habit of saying that if we can't do everything, we shouldn't do anything. That is just across the board. There are a lot of other areas that we need to provide COVID relief in--I agree with that--but we are not going to do it in 6 days. We should have done it a long time ago. It didn't come to that. But this is one piece I think we can all agree on. Even if they are small businesses--and I only caught the tail end of what he was saying. The ranking member points to a lot of other things we could do to help small business. I agree with that. There are things beyond PPP that would help them. The fundamental challenge we have here is that we have a limited amount of time to get this thing done, and I appreciate the idea that the House already passed it. But the thing is, that is not something that is going to become law. That is the reality. Just like there are things we want on this side that are not going to become law, because to pass a law right now in Washington requires passage in a Senate with a Republican majority, but there are not 60 Republicans, so we need Democratic votes. We need this body to pass it, and we need a Democratically controlled House to pass it and a Republican President to sign it. That is just basic math in terms of what it takes. That is just the basic outline of what it takes to turn whatever it is we are talking about here into a law to actually help people. If you want to help people, we have to figure out something that at least 60 people in the Senate and a majority in the House will agree on and that the President will sign. The one thing I know for sure that could get that, if we just had a straight up-or-down vote on it, is the notion of extending a second round of PPP assistance to a targeted number of small businesses. That is it. Now, is that everything I want to do? No. I want us to do more. By the way, if we can figure something more to do in the meantime, that would be great, but this must happen. There is no way of explaining to people: Hold on a second. Everybody agrees that we need to do more just to extend PPP. Well, why haven't you done it? Then you have to explain: Well, because there were nine other things we wanted to do for small business, but because we couldn't agree on those, we didn't do the one we agreed on; or, there was a bunch of things non-small-business related that we wanted to get done, and because those didn't happen, we are holding up the whole thing. People don't understand it. That doesn't make sense in the real world to anybody. The bottom line is this: We have a basic formula here that, if we put aside those considerations, could get support and could pass pretty quickly. The other issues are still going to be there, and we should do them, too, but we shouldn't hold this up in order to do that. That is what we are going to have a chance to do here in a few minutes. If we don't, if we don't, then we will have to explain--all of us--to people why it is that this is being held up. If you tell them it is because people want leverage for more stuff, they are not going to understand that. It is very simple. For anyone watching now or for anyone who watches this later, it is a simple concept. We have before us right now the ability to help--to the tune of close to $250 billion--millions of small business workers across this country and their employers, to keep them on payroll, to stay open for a few more months while we get through this pandemic. We have a chance to do it through a model that we know works, a model that was recently used. We just re-up that for a second round to a targeted number of small businesses, under a certain number of employees, facing certain revenue constraints. We even open it up to some additional not- for-profits. We have a chance to do that. We have all these other things that we should do as well, and we should do those, too, but we shouldn't wait for those things to do this thing, to help right now. This is not theoretical. Right now, at this very moment, there are thousands upon thousands of small businesses that are holding on, on a week-by-week basis. Whether or not they can survive isn't up to them. It is up to whether the local government allows them to open and at what capacity. It is up to whether their customers have the financial wherewithal to go back and visit or spend. The businesses we are talking about are restaurants, absolutely; live venues, absolutely; and all those other places that have been hurt in hospitality, without a doubt. But other businesses are being hurt too. I know a drycleaner in South Florida who is being hurt. You might ask, why? They are allowed to open. Well, because when people stopped working and going to certain places, they spent less money on drycleaning. Now a place that had eight employees now has six, and of the six, four are only part time. They will have an opportunity, if they get PPP, to keep that workforce employed full time, and it would matter to those families. We can do this. Doing this doesn't mean we don't do anything else. Those other issues still have to be addressed. But let's at least do this. It isn't everything, but it is a lot, and it is something, and it will matter, and there is no reason not to do it. It will in no way keep us from doing the other things that need to be done. Again, just because we are not going to do everything in one shot should not mean that we don't do something. We have a chance to do something, and it is meaningful, and it is a model that we know works, and it is a model we have all supported in the past, and it is one that I hope that in the next few minutes some people will change their minds on and support now because to not do something is inexplicable. It would make no sense. There are real people in the real world who are just trying to hold on and can't figure out why it is we are here and we can't do something to help them at their hour of greatest need I yield the floor.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Intelligence Committee be authorized to meet today with the Director of National Counterintelligence, and he is also leading the election security efforts on behalf of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence--that that meeting occur during today's session of the Senate.

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, if I may, just for a moment, just for the information of the Members, then, who are on the committee, we will not be having the hearing today on the issue of election security with the person leading that effort. It is a priority of many here. We are scheduled to have the Director of National Intelligence tomorrow to discuss that and many more topics of great importance that I know a lot of people here have been saying we need to be having briefings over. I hope that if, in fact, the Democratic leader intends to object to that, that we should know that today as well, I hope, so that the Members will know that and make arrangements accordingly. I yield the floor.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a family-owned small business with an outstanding record of innovation and industry leadership. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Beckwith Electric Company, Inc., of Largo, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 1967, Robert W. Beckwith established Beckwith Electric in Illinois to provide equipment and services for electric utility providers. Robert, an electric engineer, was a prolific inventor who held more than 30 patents during his lifetime. Under his leadership, Beckwith Electric developed several products integral to electric utilities, including the first solid state tapchanger control in 1968 and microprocessor protective relay in 1981. As the company grew, Robert relocated Beckwith Electric to Largo, FL, in 1974. Like many Floridian small businesses, Beckwith Electric's facilities were completely destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Through careful planning, innovation, and an emphasis on customer service, Beckwith Electric rebuilt its facilities and continued to grow. Today, Beckwith Electric Company is one of the largest manufacturing companies in the Tampa area. Richard's son, Thomas Beckwith, serves as chief executive officer and led the company to a 33-percent increase in growth last year. Beckwith Electric designs and manufactures all of its products, including components for electrical power grids, generators, and protective relays for transformers at its Largo, FL, facility. These items protect, strengthen, and increase the efficiency of electric utility networks. As part of the U.S. critical industrial base, Beckwith Electric's products are found in military installations, hospitals, and schools. They work with electric utilities, manufacturers, and producers of alternative sources of energy worldwide. They also contributed to rebuilding Iraq's power grid during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the years, Beckwith Electric has been recognized for excellence in their industrial field and for their educational programs. Partnering with St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County Schools, Beckwith Electric regularly hosts educational workshops and technical training programs. In 2012, they earned the Florida Sterling Council Challenger Award. Beckwith has also earned several local and national awards from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-- IEEE--the industry's professional society. They partner with IEEE in hosting continuing education workshops for industry professionals. Like many other Floridian small businesses, Beckwith Electric Company was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. An essential business, they managed to stay open, keep their employees safe, and play a key role in keeping our nation's electrical utilities running smoothly. In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to their PPP loan, Beckwith Electric saved 20 jobs, while paying all of their 185 employees. Beckwith Electric Company demonstrates the key role that small businesses play in our Nation's critical infrastructure and industrial manufacturing base. I commend their innovation, resilience, and high- quality work. Congratulations to Thomas and the entire team at Beckwith Electric Company. I look forward to watching your continued innovation and growth in Florida and beyond.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our country. Today, I am delighted to recognize a small business that provides healthy prepackaged meals and fosters community development. This week, it is my privilege to honor Fresco Foods, Inc., of Tampa, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 2014, Rob and Tracy Povolny founded Fresco Foods in Tampa, FL. When Rob was laid off by a corporate food seller, he chose to pursue his goal of establishing a high-quality packaged food company. Using their savings, retirement, and some loans from friends and family, they rented space in an industrial kitchen to create their recipes. That December, they began selling their ``Eat Fresco'' meals at local mom- and-pop grocery stores. Their healthy, satisfying meals were an instant hit. Six years later, Fresco Foods has grown into a thriving company with more than 120 employees. In 2017, a U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loan enabled Rob and Tracy to establish their own 12,000 square foot production facility, creating more than 100 jobs. Their ingredients are sourced from a local distributor, and their product packaging is eco-friendly. In 2018, Fresco Foods reached a major milestone when they began selling their products in a handful of Publix stores. Today, Fresco Foods stock their ``Eat Fresco'' prepared meals in all 1,252 Publix locations across seven States. Additionally, they are working to launch a prepackaged breakfast line later this year. Together, Rob and Tracy have prioritized business mentorship and ensures Fresco Foods supports the community. Through podcasts and by conducting workshops, Rob and Tracy have shared their experiences, teaching entrepreneurship to future small business owners. Fresco Foods regularly donates to local organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay. They also work with Metropolitan Ministries to employ graduates of its culinary technical training program. For its success and innovation, Fresco Foods has been recognized by local media and business outlets, including the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Like many Floridian small business, Fresco Foods jumped in to help their community during the coronavirus pandemic. As Florida went into lockdown, philanthropic organizations experienced a drop in donations as demand for their resources surged. Rob and Tracy donated hundreds of ``Eat Fresco'' meals to homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters in the Tampa area. In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rob and Tracy used their PPP loan, which Fresco Foods received in April, to keep all of their employees on payroll until Florida reopened. Fresco Foods, Inc., is a notable example of how small businesses can achieve commercial success, and remain committed to investing in their communities. Congratulations to Rob, Tracy, and the entire team at Fresco Foods. I look forward to watching your continued growth in Florida and beyond.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, the events of the last few months--what we have been seeing in the streets and the protests and all the issues that surround that--I think, have forced the country to grapple with our history on the issue of race and, in particular, what we teach young Americans about what that means and how it fits in the broader story of America. Is America, in fact, a nation founded on racism, one that makes our very founding and its principles almost irredeemable? It is an important question. You can't ask Americans or any generation to sacrifice or defend a nation they believe is so deeply flawed, so it is one that I think we have to talk about. This country was founded in the year 1776, and it was founded by this declaration that all men are created equal; that your rights come from God, from your Creator. Now, we take those words for granted today. They were extraordinarily radical ideas 244 years ago. Up until that time, every person on Earth was told that your rights are whatever the sovereign allowed you to have, whatever the King allowed you to have. You didn't have any rights that were natural to you. So the very principle itself was pretty radical. The problem is that, from the very beginning, many people, including those who put their name on that document, and our laws at the time did not reflect that founding principle, and our story can largely be summarized as the 244-year journey to more fully live up to the promises made at our founding. For our first 89 years as a nation, human beings were owned as slaves. And beyond just the horrors of slavery, they were the subject of torture, of rape, of seeing their children sold away--away from them--never to see them again. When that horrible institution finally came to an end, it was followed by another hundred years of separate and unequal, where Black Americans were told where they could live, where they could work, where they could go to school, and more. They were told where they could eat, where they could sit or not, where they were allowed to stay overnight. They were even told what side of the road they would be allowed to walk on in many parts of this country. They were denied the right to vote, either directly or through intimidation and threats. It was a time when, in many parts of this country, any Black man was one false accusation away from losing his life at the hands of a lynch mob. This is a shameful truth, an undeniable part of our history, a stain on our legacy as a nation. But it is not the whole story. From the very beginning, it was clear that the promise of our founding and our failure to live up to it--these two things could not ultimately coexist. From the very beginning, within a year and even before the founding of our Nation, there were already Americans working to end slavery. Sometimes they paid for it with their lives. Ultimately, it became the single most divisive issue in the country, to the point that it was resolved only through a bloody civil war. For the next hundred years, during the era of separate and unequal, it was also Americans who worked to end segregation and Jim Crow laws, Americans of every walk of life: little children who would brave angry mobs to desegregate a school, the protesters and those in the streets who faced down ``Bull'' Connor's dogs and beatings, little girls who died when their church was bombed. Ours is not simply the story of a people who, for 189 years, failed to live up to the promise of America. Ours is also the story of the Americans who ultimately succeeded in making us a nation that was closer to who we were supposed to be. That is why, at least for me, when they play the ``National Anthem'' and the flag that I face and put my hand over my heart to honor--that flag--that is not the flag of slave owners; that is the flag of the abolitionists. That is the flag of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, who were American heroes. The flag that I pledge allegiance to is not the flag of a segregationist. It is the flag of the Freedom Riders, the people who made the march from Selma to Montgomery. That is the flag of Rosa Parks and Dr. King. Our history does not simply belong to the villains. It belongs, even more so, to the heroes who, frankly, made us more American in each successive generation. I have heard in some corners people suggest that our founding documents themselves are documents embedded in racism because I imagine many of the people who signed it, indeed, were or did not live up to the words they signed their names on. But that would be forgetting the fundamental fact that every single great movement in American history-- every movement for equality in the history of this Nation--has not been a rejection of our founding documents, has not been a rejection of our founding principles, has not been a call to overthrow the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. Every one of these movements--great movements in the history of this country towards equality--has been an appeal to those principles, a demand that we live up to those principles. Dr. King said the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence--an appeal to our founding documents, which he called a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. As we talk now about what is taught to our children in our schools and in our lives, I think our children deserve to know the truth about their country--all the truth. We must teach our children about the times in which our Nation fell short. We must teach them about the people responsible for our falling short. We must point to the times even now when we fall short. That is the only way you learn the lessons of history and the only way to avoid repeating them. But we must also teach them that it was Americans who dedicated and even lost their lives to end these evils. While we are at it, we should teach them, too, about the greatness of our country. Teach them about the young Americans who died far from home for the freedom and the liberty of others, who lost their lives at Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal and Normandy and the Ardennes and Chosin and Fallujah, on San Juan Hill and in Manila Bay. Teach them also about how, when disaster strikes anywhere on this planet, it is their country that responds first and with the most--Fukushima, Japan, and West Berlin; after an earthquake hit Haiti; after floods impacted Pakistan-- how it is Americans and their charities and their government that have literally saved the lives of millions of people on the African continent from starvation, from the ravages of HIV-AIDS. Teach them how, on a summer night in 1969, the entire world stopped and watched with amazement as man first stepped foot on the Moon and there planted the flag of their country. Our children deserve to know the truth about their country, that in the history of mankind, there has never been a great power that has used its means to help more people and more places than anywhere in human history--no other great power in human history has done what the people of this Nation have done, both individually through the monies we give to charities and through their government. This is also true about America. Our children deserve to know that they are citizens not of a perfect country but of the single greatest Nation in the history of all of mankind. They deserve to know that they are the heirs to a 244-year journey to achieve in one land a nation where all people are viewed as equal under the law, whose rights come from their Creator. They deserve to know that their country is a special one--one worth defending, one worth protecting, and one worth passing on to the generations that will follow them. I yield the floor.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I recognize Kerrianne Edwards, the Jackson County Teacher of the Year from Sneads Elementary School in Sneads, FL. Kerrianne comes from a family of teachers. Her parents were teachers and played a pivotal role in encouraging her to make the profession her career. Kerrianne teaches at the same elementary school that she attended, and her classroom is located directly across from Sherry Faircloth, the same first grade teacher that taught her and her son. She considers Mrs. Faircloth an excellent role model and continues to teach her long after she was her student. Kerrianne is a first grade teacher at Sneads Elementary School and has been a teacher for 28 years. She previously was a librarian, K-3 teacher, and a second grade teacher at Chattahoochee Elementary School and was named its Teacher of the Year in 2000. I offer my sincere gratitude to Kerrianne and look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I am pleased to recognize Tonie Garcia, the Glades County Teacher of the Year from West Glades School in LaBelle, FL. Tonie knew she wanted to be a teacher from a young age, crediting God for placing a love for teaching in her heart. She brings a positive attitude and patience to her classroom each day, knowing that some of her students see her more than they see their parents. Tonie considers it her job to love and cheer for her students, wipe away their tears, and open the doors of learning to them. She does not know what her students go through before coming to class each day, so she shows them kindness and instills in them a ``never give up'' attitude, no matter how challenging the day may be for them. Tonie is a kindergarten teacher at West Glades School. She is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University and credits its school of education and behavioral studies for preparing her to be a teacher. She previously taught in kindergarten classrooms at Frontier Elementary School and Jupiter Christian School. I offer my sincere gratitude to Tonie and look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I recognize Leslie J. Harn, the Hendry County Teacher of the Year from Clewiston High School in Clewiston, FL. Leslie's goal each day is to make his classroom one where students enjoy learning. He spends the school day helping students to better understand science and other challenges that life has thrown at them. Leslie credits his seventh grade science teacher, Mr. Bowdler, with having a huge impact on him and hopes to have the same effect on his students' lives. Leslie's biggest inspiration for teaching comes from his faith and his family. His father was an orange grove manager, and his mother drove a school bus. Both instilled in him a strong work ethic and desire to help others whenever possible. In his family, three are educators, and the fourth is in college with plans to pursue education. Leslie teaches biology at Clewiston High School and previously taught in Collier County. He and his wife are members of Caloosa Baptist Church and work to help families throughout the area. I am grateful for Leslie's commitment to his students and extend my best wishes. I look forward to learning of his continued good work in his future endeavors.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I honor Trikia White, the Leon County Teacher of the Year from Augusta Raa Middle School in Tallahassee, FL. Trikia believes receiving this important recognition makes the long hours she spends grading assignments, preparing lesson plans, and helping students worth it. She enjoys seeing what her students can achieve after leaving her class. Trikia makes sure each minute of class time is worthwhile to her students. She believes this is the only way for her to learn what they are capable of doing in her classroom, and it allows her to provide informal feedback to them. Trikia's principal noted that she is always willing to support her students and fellow teachers each day, whether it is offering assistance in her content area or other needs. She works hard to make sure the school exceeds expectations throughout the school year. Trikia teaches eighth grade language arts at Augusta Raa Middle School and has taught there for 6 of her 11 years as a teacher. I extend my best wishes to Trikia and look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years ahead.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I recognize Pamela Moseley, the Lafayette County Teacher of the Year from Lafayette Elementary School in Mayo, FL. Pamela was presented with this important recognition by Lafayette Elementary School's principal, Stephen Clark, and Superintendent Robby Edwards. They were accompanied by her husband, Ralee, and their three children, Lilli, Mallory, and Trevor. During these unprecedented times, Pamela's inspiration comes from her students, their reactions to connections, and their willingness to look for them. Pamela's ability to adapt her education style to her students ensures they are able to learn at their personal pace. She is always there for her students, providing extra tutoring if they are having trouble learning new subjects. Pamela has been a teacher for 17 years and has taught fifth grade at Lafayette Elementary School for the past 4 years. I extend my best wishes to Pamela for her dedication to teaching and look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years ahead.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I am pleased to recognize Melissa Nelson, the St. Lucie County Teacher of the Year from Allapattah Flats K-8 in St. Lucie, FL. Allapattah Flats principal Ana Rodriguez-Oronoz previously taught Melissa as a student in her fifth grade class at White City Elementary School. Now, as a teacher herself, Principal Rodriguez-Oronoz noted that Melissa knows each of her students' unique strengths and understands her place in the classroom as their coach and mentor. Melissa works with her students each day to complete their assignments and ensure they understand the topics covered. She tutors students during lunch and after school and provides them with incentives and rewards to celebrate their accomplishments, believing this helps to make her instructions more effective. Melissa teaches eighth grade algebra at Allapattah Flats K-8 and previously worked as a data specialist. She is a graduate of St. Lucie Public Schools and has taught within the district since 2012. I offer my sincere gratitude to Melissa for her commitment to her students. I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I recognize Miranda Harwood, the Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year from Brooker Elementary School in Brandon, FL. Miranda teaches fourth grade at Brooker Elementary School and considers this award the culmination of the educational career she began 14 years ago. Miranda wants her students to know that she cares about their education. Since she cannot know what burdens they are going through at home, she works to make sure school is a safe and caring place for them, whether they are in her classroom or with another teacher. She uses testing data to identify her students' strengths and weaknesses and builds her lesson plans to fit their individual needs. Miranda uses humor and motivational activities to keep her students engaged throughout the school year. Her class votes on a Student of the Month and chooses rewards and consequences. She also hosts a Monday Math Club for her top students and afterschool sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays for those below their grade level on State exams or on the bubble between passing and not passing. I offer my sincere gratitude to Miranda for her good work and dedication to her students. I look forward to hearing of her continued success in the years to come.