Marco Rubio

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I am pleased to honor Cheyenna Novotny, the Escambia County Teacher of the Year at West Florida High School in Pensacola, FL. Cheyenna teaches chemistry and environmental science at West Florida High School and has been a teacher for 16 years. Outside of the classroom, Cheyenna leads the student environmental club and helped to launch a full-scale recycling program for the entire school last year. For Cheyenna, it is important to know how her students are learning as they progress throughout the year. Each of her students receives an individual whiteboard to use as they work to solve math or chemistry problems on their own. Having students show their work on the whiteboards helps them and Cheyenna to see firsthand how well they grasp a concept. Cheyenna believes in celebrating every learning victory for her students throughout the year, no matter how big or small. Her students view her not only as their teacher, but also as someone who is their friend who works to prepare them for their educational careers. She considers it a privilege to work with her students, to encourage their dreams, and to share their passions. I express my best wishes and gratitude to Cheyenna, and I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I am pleased to recognize Angela Roberts, the Martin County Teacher of the Year from Felix A. Williams Elementary School in Stuart, FL. Angela is a third grade English language arts and social studies teacher at Felix A. Williams Elementary School. She has taught for 28 years, with 21 years in the Martin County School District. She leads workshops during her school's literacy nights, serves as a youth life coach and soloist at her church, moderates as a high school debate team judge, volunteers as a member of the Keep Martin Beautiful beach clean- up crew, and spends her time as an advanced choir parent volunteer for both Jensen Beach and Martin County high schools. Angela believes that children deserve a champion in their life, and she wholeheartedly embraces this responsibility. Before she works to educate her students' minds, she connects with their hearts, learning who they are individually to design lessons that bring them to the core of her subject matter. She understands that what some students need most is not necessarily what is found in lesson plans, but what is found in a teacher's heart. Angela knows that educators hold the high honor and responsibility of influencing future generations. Time spent in grade school encompasses a student's most formative years, sometimes spent more with teachers than with parents. In consideration of this, at the beginning of each school year, Angela invites parents to download an app that provides them with access to communicate with the classroom, following the lesson plan alongside students each day. I thank Angela for all the great work she has done for her students over the years. I extend my best wishes to her and look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the coming years.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I recognize Cari Rodriguez, the Broward County Teacher of the Year from Harbordale Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Cari believes that the student experience should never be boring. Each day, she works to create a space where students can truly enjoy what they are learning in her classroom. From composing a new song that helps with memorizing multiplication facts, to building igloo prototypes showing a better understanding of life in the Arctic regions, Cari goes to creative lengths to make both teaching and learning fun. Cari is a literacy coach at Harbordale Elementary and has taught for 21 years. The success of her students serves as her inspiration, and she encourages them to make the learning process fun, not only in her class, but also in their future endeavors. I extend my best wishes and sincere gratitude to Cari for her dedication to teaching. I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years ahead.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I am pleased to honor Brittinie Johnson, the Baker County Teacher of the Year at Baker County High School in St. Mary, FL. Each day, Brittinie looks for opportunities to teach her students to be leaders and to grow in character. She believes these skills will serve them not only in school, but also translate to their lives outside of the classroom. Her students are the inspiration for her career as an educator. Brittinie teaches culinary arts, one of the most requested courses at Baker County High School. She aims to connect her class lessons to real life and the workforce and strives to teach more than just academics. She is known for impacting not only the lives of her students and their families, but also her community. Brittinie's love for her students is her reason to maintain high expectations for their excellence in school. Over the course of each year, her students learn how to operate a cafe within the high school, provide meals for the faculty and students, and cater for various community events. I offer my best wishes to Brittinie for her commitment to helping her students succeed in school and look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I am pleased to recognize David Martinez-Cooley, the Pinellas County Teacher of the Year from Leila G. Davis Elementary School in Clearwater, FL. David is known for finding creative ways of engaging his students to pass on his passion and love for music. He considers himself to be just one of many teachers of the year across Pinellas County who dedicates their time to inspiring their students every day. David's colleagues are enthralled by his enthusiasm and the drive he brings to his classroom each day. He is viewed as a role model among his peers, and many of his students throughout the years note the positive influence he has implanted in their lives. David is a music education teacher at Leila G. Davis Elementary School and has taught in Pinellas County for 13 years. He received his master's degrees in music education and mathematics education from the University of Florida. David also serves on the district's textbook adoption committee, helping to select new digital resources for elementary music students. He has also helped in leading other music educators by presenting at district and State training events and assisted in the revision and refinement of the district's grade level key learnings. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to David and extend my best wishes on his continued success in the years to come.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I honor Allison Jones, the Bradford County Teacher of the Year at Bradford Middle School in Starke, FL. Allison's work towards improving her students' testing performance has yielded positive results over the years, collaborating with her colleagues to improve math and writing scores for students. Allison's goal has always been to help students reach their maximum potential, and she takes every opportunity to celebrate each student's success, no matter how large or small. She is motivated by compassion and believes in establishing and maintaining deep relationships with her students and their families. Allison teaches sixth grade science at Bradford Middle School and has worked as an educator in Florida for 20 years. She also designs various curricula for the State that is driven not just by data, but also assessments of individual student needs. I express my deepest gratitude to Allison for her commitment to her students, and I look forward to hearing of her continued success in the years to come.

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 my privilege to recognize a family- owned small business known for its community leadership and authentic Cuban cuisine. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Sergio's Family Restaurant of Miami, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 1975, Blanca Cabrera opened what would become Sergio's Family Restaurant as a small sandwich shop off of Bird Road in Miami. Equipped with generations of family recipes, Blanca sought to honor her Cuban heritage. Her shop provided employment for several refugees, providing dignified work as they built new lives. She offered a fresh take on Cuban and American cuisine, and her sandwich shop became a local hit. Today, Sergio's Family Restaurant has expanded to 13 locations in South Florida. Carlos Gazitua, the chief executive officer, is the third generation family member to lead Sergio's. Under his leadership, the business has expanded its community involvement and emphasized healthy living while retaining its signature flavor. Sergio's has been recognized by the Florida Department of Health as the first certified restaurant to take part in the Healthy Happens Here restaurant initiative, incorporating low-calorie versions of traditional Cuban eats on their menu. At the local and State level and among its industry peers, Sergio's has been recognized for its outstanding cuisine. They were named Best Drive-Thru of 2015 by the Miami New Times, recognized as the 2017 Restaurant of the Year by the South Florida Tourism Professional Awards, and their traditional empanadas were featured in ``Florida's Best Cheap Eats'' by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Additionally, the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County mayors honored Sergio's with Croqueta Day on October 2, 2018. On this day, Sergio's served its 20 millionth croqueta--croquette. As a community leader, Sergio's has advocated for several nonprofit organizations and local small businesses. In 2015, Sergio's donated food to a Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation event. Then- Governor Rick Scott recognized Sergio's service in 2017, when they collected and shipped food and supplies to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. When Super Bowl LIV was held in Miami in 2020, Sergio's partnered with The Women's Fund of Miami-Dade to raise funds for its mission to create awareness and preventing sex trafficking. Additionally, Carlos has advocated for small business in local and industry events, including the ``Bring Small Business Back'' initiative. Like many Floridian small businesses, Sergio's Family Restaurant stepped up to help its community during the coronavirus pandemic. They participated in several social media, radio, and video initiatives encouraging support for local, family-owned small businesses. Partnering with the Miami Heat and the Miami Dade County Public School Superintendent, Sergio's Restaurant provided meals for more than 500 people in the Liberty City area. Sergio's collaborated with Meals for Heroes Miami to feed local healthcare workers and first responders, including donating approximately 1,400 meals to the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue teams. Additionally, Carlos worked with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Florida Restaurant Lodging Association to provide more than 350,000 reusable masks for hospitality workers in South Florida. When the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, it provided a much needed lifeline to small businesses, including Sergio's Restaurant. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a PPP loan, Sergio's was able to keep their employees paid until Miami reopened. Their community leadership and advocacy was recognized by Governor Ron DeSantis who visited Sergio's in early June. Through their service and leadership, Sergio's Family Restaurant is an outstanding example of how small businesses uplift their communities. I commend their support for local small businesses. Congratulations to Carlos and the entire team at Sergio's restaurant. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success throughout South Florida.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I honor Krista Stanley, the Okeechobee County Teacher of the year from Yearling Middle School in Okeechobee, FL. Krista is a sixth grade teacher and has taught at Yearling Middle School for the past 4 years. She serves as the school math representative, a mentor for new teachers, and facilitates professional development focusing on standards based instruction. Krista was previously named the Project One New Teacher of the Year for Okeechobee County in 2016. Krista believes that all students can learn if they are given the opportunity to do so in the classroom. She is appreciative of her students and cares for them, considering them to be the reason for her success as a teacher. Throughout the school year, Krista provides her students with the tools they need to be successful and dedicates each day to helping them in any way she can. Reflecting her commitment, in 2019, 86 percent of Krista's students earned a proficient score on the Florida State Assessment. I extend my best wishes to Krista for her tireless efforts and care she gives to her students. I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I recognize Amanda Jones- Carlson, the Gilchrist County Teacher of the Year at Trenton Elementary School in Trenton, FL. Amanda considers it an absolute honor to be named Teacher of the Year for her school district. She views her students as her inspiration, believing that making a difference in just one of their lives motivates her to be the best teacher she can be. To her, seeing one of her students grasp a difficult or complex concept is what makes Amanda's job worthwhile. She believes the best part about teaching students is not just the chance to see them learn, but to watch their excitement grow for the entire learning process. Amanda teaches first grade at Trenton Elementary School and has taught in Gilchrist County for 8 years. I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to Amanda for her dedication to her students. I look forward to hearing of her continued success in the coming years.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I recognize Daphne Hayes, the Hardee County Teacher of the Year at Hardee Senior High School in Wauchula, FL. Daphne believes in her students and teaches them to believe in themselves. She encourages them to apply to multiple colleges and universities to broaden their options after they graduate from high school. She takes pride in knowing one of her students last year received acceptance letters from more than two dozen schools and received several scholarships. Daphne is a science and Advancement Via Individual Determination-- AVID--teacher and has taught in Hardee County for 8 years. She sponsors the AVID program, which helps students identify and focus on their goals, improves their academic performance, and establishes a plan for their future. Daphne also dedicates her spare time to serving youth at the First Baptist Church of Bowling Green. I extend my best wishes and gratitude for Daphne for her dedication to her students and her community. I look forward to learning of her continued success in coming years.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I am pleased to recognize Alan Gatzke, the Columbia County Teacher of the Year from Fort White Elementary School in Fort White, FL. Alan cherishes the opportunities to connect with students and his fellow teachers. For four decades, he has continually brought his passion for teaching and learning to schools and believes that it is the positive teaching relationships with his students and peers that has allowed him to succeed. Alan teaches mathematics and science to students in fifth grade at Fort White Elementary School. During his more than 40-year teaching career, he has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, a bus driver, a custodian, and a school administrator. His experience in these jobs taught him that every job title at a school plays vital roles in the education of children. Alan holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, a specialist's degree from the University of Florida, and a master's degree from Florida International University. I offer my sincere gratitude to Alan for his decades of work teaching countless students. I look forward to hearing of his continued good work in the years to come.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I honor the life and legacy of Cuban-American radio legend and pioneer, Martha Flores from Miami, FL. As South Floridians grieve the loss of Martha Flores, an exemplary woman and radio trailblazer, let us honor her memory. For more than 60 years, Martha dedicated her life to her beloved audience and to her South Florida community. Martha, more commonly known as Miami radio's own ``Queen of the Night,'' or la ``Reina de la Noche'' in Spanish, was the voice of Cuban exiles and is remembered as the first Cuban female to conduct her own radio show in Florida. More than just a radio legend, commentator, philanthropist, actress, and singer, Martha Flores was a Cuban-American patriot who tirelessly spoke out against the horrors of communism and advocated for liberty and freedom of speech worldwide. Although we are left without the Queen of the Night, her legacy and memory will live in the hearts of many Floridians for generations to come. May she rest in peace.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I honor Brittany Brown, the Holmes County Teacher of the Year at Ponce de Leon High School in Ponce de Leon, FL. Brittany believes her work as an educator is to help her students grow and succeed not only in her classroom, but also in their lives. She finds the most rewarding part of her work hearing of her students' newfound love of science. Brittany believes students lose excitement and fascination for science by the time they reach high school, making one of her primary goals to rekindle the subject with them. She incorporates modern scientific equipment and technology in her curriculum to make science fun and interesting for her students. Brittany teaches biology, agriculture, and aerospace at Ponce de Leon High School and has been a science educator for 8 years. She enjoys teaching and hopes to pass on her passion for the subject to her students. I congratulate Brittany for receiving this important recognition. I look forward to hearing of her continued success in the coming years.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today it is my privilege to honor Belinda Fries, the Suwannee County Teacher of the Year from Suwannee High School in Live Oak, FL. When named the district's Teacher of the Year, Belinda noted she was humbled and proud to be one of Suwannee County's top educators. She is an experienced technology professional and has been teaching computer science and information technology to students at Suwannee High School since 2016. Belinda said her favorite part of each day is being with her students in the classroom, and she considers teaching to be a gift. She believes that her students have the ability to fulfill their dreams, and she loves encouraging each of them to do and be their best. I extend my sincere thanks and best wishes to Belinda for her inspiring work to educate her students. I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the years to come.

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 woman-owned small business that provides critical medical supplies to hospitals and laboratories nationwide. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Mercedes Scientific of Lakewood Ranch, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 1991, Noelle Haft and Hank Traynor founded Mercedes Scientific in New Hyde Park, NY. The two were veterans of the medical supply industry, combining their scientific expertise and knowledge of laboratory distribution to start their own small business. At the time, it was known as Mercedes Medical. Drawn by the weather and welcoming business regulations, Mercedes Medical relocated to Florida in 1993. When Hank retired, Noelle and her husband, Rob, continued running the company along with their daughter, Alex Miller. Over the next few decades, Mercedes Medical remained a family-owned company as it grew into a notable medical supplier. The company moved into their Lakewood Ranch facility in 2018 and expanded to provide laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment, PPE. They rebranded as Mercedes Scientific in 2019 due to their growing focus on serving the research, laboratory, and scientific communities. Mercedes Scientific is active in the community. They donate medical supplies to local organizations and businesses, as well as educational institutions nationwide. The company supports international nonprofit missions, such as helping medical facilities recover from natural disasters. Closer to home, Mercedes Scientific is a team build partner with Habitat for Humanity in Sarasota, FL. They also work with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance to promote local economic development. Like many small businesses in Florida, Mercedes Scientific experienced supply chain disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a medical supply company, they play a critical role in securing laboratory supplies, PPE, and COVID-19 test kits. Mercedes Scientific works tirelessly with laboratories and hospitals in Florida and throughout the Nation to ensure they receive the resources needed to combat the pandemic. When the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, PPP, Mercedes Scientific applied for funding. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a PPP loan, Mercedes Scientific was able to keep their 67 employees paid and remain focused on its mission sourcing medical supplies. Mercedes Scientific is a notable example of the key role small businesses play in America's medical supply chains. I commend their continued work to provide essential hospital and laboratory supplies as the United States confronts the coronavirus pandemic. Congratulations to Noelle, Rob, Alex, and the whole team. I look forward to your continued success, growth, and success in the Lakewood Ranch area.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, Mr. Floyd's horrific murder at the hands of a man sworn to uphold the law, our Nation has seen justified anger. As I said here 2 weeks ago, it is a moment that calls for not just police reform, it calls for a full reckoning with racial inequities that still plague our Nation. There is, in my mind, nothing more un-American than racial discrimination. Our Nation was founded on the revolutionary truth that every human being is created equal and that our rights do not come from our government or from our leaders or even our laws; our rights come from our Creator. It is true that the man who authored these words and gave birth to the young Nation did not fully live up to these principles, but it is also true that every single great fight for equality in this country's history has come from a direct appeal to those powerful principles. Slavery, segregation, discriminatory impediments to voting--all of these came to an end, not from efforts to overthrow our values but from demands that we fulfill them, for these evils could not exist in a country, in a nation, built upon the idea that all people are created equal with rights granted to them by God. Slavery and racial discrimination are, indeed, a tragic part of our history, but the long and the steady and the perpetual march toward equality, that is part of our heritage as well. Today, a new generation of Americans is reminding us that while we have traveled far on the quest for a more perfect Union, the final miles of that journey still lie ahead. The overwhelming and vast majority of these Americans on our streets are peacefully reminding us that, yes, Black lives matter. They are not asking that we destroy America; they are demanding that we be more American; that we more fully become a nation with liberty and justice for all. But it is now also clear that there are others with a different agenda who have taken to our streets as well. They are the ones who argue that because the men who wrote our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were imperfect and, in some cases, racists, that the Nation their words gave birth to is beyond redemption; that America cannot be improved or saved; and that therefore it must come to an end. These radical views are not new. From the crazy professor whom no one took seriously to the nut job running for office with no chance of winning, they have operated on the fringes of our politics for decades. The difference is that, in recent years, they have begun to move out from the fringes, and now these radicals are capitalizing on a legitimate movement to force their madness even further into the mainstream. Now their violence, their vandalism, their anarchy are excused, tolerated, sometimes even celebrated by some, and their radical agenda is shielded, increasingly, from scrutiny by an emerging speech code that condemns as hate speech and as racism any criticism of these anti-lynching American radicals. The self-proclaimed guardians of free speech in media now apologize for printing the opinions of a U.S. Senator and actively cajoled tech companies to censor conservative voices. Social media companies, which owe their very existence to freedom of expression, now threaten to block the accounts of American politicians in publications here at home, while eagerly complying with the demands of totalitarian racist regimes abroad. Online mobs not only decide what is acceptable speech but are empowered to destroy the reputation and career of anyone they believe has violated their standards. Celebrities and large corporations are so eager to proactively shield themselves from being canceled that they raise money to bail out arsonists, but they do not raise a single cent to help the small business owners, oftentimes minorities themselves, whose life work was looted and burned to the ground by the radicals This radicalism, this anarchy, isn't just annoying; it is destructive, and it is dangerous. It is destructive to bedrock institutions in our country and their legitimacy in the eyes of our people. Why would people trust public health experts who told them they had to lose their job or their business, that their kids couldn't have a graduation, that their grandmother couldn't have a funeral but are afraid to say anything about crowds of people setting fires and looting businesses? Why would people trust local leaders who will close your business for having too many customers or threaten to arrest you for going to a park or to a church but who stand by and do nothing when a mob vandalizes a monument, tears down a statue, or takes over an entire section of a city? Why would people trust the media that will shame them for going to the beach, for not wearing a mask in public but portrays a mob of White anarchists attacking African-American police officers as just frustrated racial justice activists? This radicalism is also dangerous because, if it is OK for a violent mob to tear down a statue, then what is to stop another violent mob from showing up to defend it? If it is OK to set a police car on fire, what is going to stop someone upset at activist judges from burning down a courtroom? Where does it end? It will not end because there is no way to satisfy radicals who only seek destruction. Just ask a clergy at the historical St. John's Episcopal Church. Three weeks ago, they expressed their support for and solidarity with the protesters, even after some agitator tried to burn down the church. Last night, radicals vandalized their church, calling for an autonomous zone here in Washington. Just ask the mayor of Seattle. Just a few days ago on national TV, she was saying that the so-called autonomous zone in her city would lead to a ``summer of love.'' Now they have announced that they are going to move in and retake the area after multiple people were shot over the weekend. The anti-American radicals don't care about racial equality, and they will not stop as long as everyone is afraid to call them out for who and for what they are. As long as we fail to point out that those seeking racial equality and these radicals are not the same people; that the people committing this violence and carrying out this anarchy and this chaos are not the same people as the people who are rightfully asking for us to address racial inequality, as long as we fail to point that out, they will continue to hide behind this important and legitimate movement. It is time we stop--we stop being afraid to express the common sense of Americans of every race, of every background. Yes, we must address racial inequality. Yes, Black lives must matter. But the vandalism, the arson, and the anarchy on our streets have nothing to do with this important cause. Yes, some police departments need to be reformed, and bad police officers need to be fired. And if they committed crimes, they need to be arrested, and they need to be prosecuted. But, no, we are not going to abolish or defund police departments. Yes, racial disparities must be acknowledged, and they must be addressed but not by giving in to a bunch of crazy radicals who hate and want to destroy this country of ours. This is what the overwhelming majority of Americans of every race and background believe, and this is what so many are afraid to say for fear of being destroyed by an online mob and their accomplices. For over 200 years, each generation of America has moved us ever closer to fulfilling the powerful truths upon which this Nation was founded. Now it is our turn to do the same, not by destroying America but by becoming more fully American, not by abandoning our founding principles but by moving us closer to becoming the one Nation under God with liberty and justice for all that we have pledged our allegiance to. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

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 my privilege to recognize a woman- owned small business that provides an enriching environment for children and serves a diverse community. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Best Memories Academy of Orlando, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. For 20 years, Best Memories Academy has provided quality childcare for families in Orlando, FL. When her son was 2 years old, Lyana Vazquez, originally from Puerto Rico, began searching for a daycare program that would provide instruction in English and Spanish, but options were limited in the Orlando area. Undeterred, Lyana founded Best Memories Academy, to provide daycare and preschool programs with an emphasis on bilingual education. Over the years, Best Memories Academy has expanded its services. Lyana developed a bilingual curriculum and built strong relationships with Orlando's growing Latino community. She hired educators who spoke English and Spanish, incorporating the LENA Grow Program into their training. This research-based program enabled staff to begin conversational language teaching during critical stages of language learning. In 2019, Best Memories Academy began offering kindergarten and first grade instruction in addition to voluntary prekindergarten and after-school care. They partnered with the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, ELCOC, to host educational workshops and community outreach events, becoming one of the premier daycare centers in the area. Like many other small businesses, Best Memories Academy experienced a sharp decline in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. As student enrollment dropped, Lyana modified her business operations to comply with the latest best practices from the Center for Disease Control, Florida Department of Health, and Florida Department of Children and Families. Together, she and her team assembled and dropped remote- learning packets for students, taking special care with the materials for children whose families lacked internet access. Despite the challenges, Lyana was determined to stay open to care for the children of essential workers and keep her employees paid. When the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program PPP, Lyana immediately applied. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine days after she submitted an application, Best Memories Academy received funding for a PPP loan in early April. As a result, Lyana was able to keep her 12 employees paid and keep her business open until Florida began to reopen and students returned. For Lyana and her team, the Paycheck Protection Program didn't just provide a salary--it provided hope. Best Memories Academy is a notable example of the role of relationship-driven small businesses in building community. I commend their work to provide high-quality bilingual education to children ranging from infancy to elementary school. Congratulations to Lyana and the entire team at Best Memories Academy. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success in the Orlando area.

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 my privilege to recognize a family- owned small business that is not only a Miami staple, but has helped feed thousands of Floridians impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. This week, it is my pleasure to honor Pinecrest Bakery, of Pinecrest, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 2012, Efrain Valdes and Joel Rodriguez founded Pinecrest Bakery. Years earlier, these longtime friends met in Miami's Little Havana and formed a bond over their shared Cuban heritage and love for its cuisine. When Efrain's family moved to Pinecrest, he noticed a lack of Cuban restaurants in their new neighborhood. Seeing this as an opportunity, Efrain and Joel opened the original Pinecrest Bakery in December 2012. Their welcoming atmosphere and delicious food proved a hit, with lines regularly forming out the door. Soon, Pinecrest Bakery expanded its hours to become Miami's premier 24-hour Cuban bakery. Eight years later, Pinecrest Bakery expanded to 17 locations, with 3 more on the way. Their original menu of Cuban coffee and pastries now includes meal and catering menus and a food truck. Pinecrest Bakery is earning accolades for its delicious cuisine and emerging as a leader in the local business community. The business remains family-owned, with several members of the Valdes and Rodriguez families serving in key leadership and food production roles. Additionally, their strong sense of family has built a tight-knit and supportive team. Like many other small businesses, Pinecrest Bakery stepped up to help their community during the coronavirus pandemic. The shortage of essential goods in stores prompted them to sell their bulk supplies of milk and eggs directly to customers. In mid-March, Pinecrest Bakery ramped up their existing partnership with Farm Share, a nonprofit organization that connects Floridian farmers with surplus produce to local businesses and organizations for distribution. Using its Pinecrest location as a distribution center, Pinecrest Bakery provided approximately 200,000 pounds of free food to nearly 10,000 families in south Florida. The American Legion recognized Pinecrest for donating hot meals to healthcare workers and first responders. When the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program--PPP--Efrain and Joel applied immediately. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Pinecrest Bakery received their PPP loan, which has enabled them to keep their employees paid and continue their work to feed south Florida. Pinecrest Bakery is a remarkable example of how small businesses can leverage local connections to support their communities in times of crisis. I commend their work with Farm Share and leadership in the Miami area. Congratulations to Efrain, Joel, and the entire team at Pinecrest Bakery. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success in south Florida.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. The murder of Mr. Floyd at the hands of law enforcement officers was an outrageous crime that has shocked this Nation, but it would be a mistake to conclude that the unrest of the last 2 weeks are only about his death or are only about relations with the police. At its core, what this unrest is about is the question of what kind of society we are and what kind of society do we want to be. A society is a voluntary agreement, by people, to live together. For a society to thrive, those in it must believe that their interests are protected and their voices are heard, but when a substantial number of people in a society come to believe that they are not valued; that they do not matter; or that they are not wanted, then that society will have big problems. For decades, African Americans have complained that they feel their voices are being ignored, their problems not being addressed, and their lives not valued. Given our Nation's history with race, this is an uncomfortable grievance--one many would rather avoid. Like a bad debt that must eventually be paid, it is a grievance we can no longer ignore. Like before, the latest unrest has given rise to voices arguing that the foundations of our Republic are built on systemic racism and must, therefore, be brought down. The only difference is that, this time, claims like these don't just come from the fringes of our politics. Like before, we also have voices that say that, today, race is only a factor in individual cases, distinct from our society at large. Both of these views are wrong. The foundations of our country are not irredeemably racist. Abolition, women's suffrage, desegregation, the civil rights movement-- these were not appeals to overthrow our values; these were demands that we fulfill them. The Constitution that once considered slaves three-fifths of a human being was ultimately the vehicle that was used to free them and, eventually, to secure their most basic rights. It is also true that we have made tremendous progress on racial equality over the last 50 years, but there remain shocking racial disparities on health, on education, on housing, on economics, and on criminal justice, and there remains the fundamental truth that any society in which a substantial percentage of the people believe that they are treated unjustly is a society that has a problem, a society that can never fulfill its full potential unless those grievances are addressed. None of this excuses radical, violent extremists setting fires, looting buildings, and hurting innocent people, but it also shouldn't lead us to stupid ideas like defunding the police. And this is not going to be fixed by endless emails from corporation after corporation trying to prove how woke they are, even as they outsource your job to China. It is also not going to be fixed by pretending that race is no longer an issue and by accusing everyone who disagrees and says it is of hating America. Yes, there are still vile racists among us, although few of them will ever openly admit it, but in 21st century America, few people consider themselves racist. The primary reason why race remains relevant today is that the African-American community faces a unique set of challenges that far too few people in positions of power and politics fully understand. If a child is raised in a stable home, in a safe neighborhood, attends a good school, and they have a private tutor to help them with the SAT, while another child 2 miles away is raised by one parent, or maybe even a grandparent, they live in substandard housing, in a dangerous neighborhood, they attend a school that is failing, or failing them, and they don't have a private tutor for the SAT--on most days they don't have access to Wi-Fi--do these two kids really have an equal opportunity to go to the same college? If one college student has the connections or the money to do unpaid internships in the summer or to study abroad and another student has to work in the summer just so they can afford to go back to school in the fall, do they really have an equal opportunity to get hired when they graduate? If one young adult does something stupid and gets arrested, but his parents hire good lawyers, and he is able to avoid having a criminal record, but another young adult who does the exact same thing has to use a public defender, pleads guilty to a lesser charge but now has a criminal record, do they really have an equal opportunity when they apply for the same job? When policymakers encourage sending manufacturing jobs that once employed African-American men overseas in an effort to benefit those employed in technology and finance, how can we truly expect widespread prosperity for all Americans? When a disproportionate number of those with these disadvantages comes from one race while a disproportionate number of those with the advantages comes from another, the result is a racial disparity. Some suggest that these disparities are the result of institutionalized racism or of a deliberate effort designed to harm African Americans. What I truly believe is that it is the product of something far less sinister but sometimes equally damaging. It is the result of racial indifference, of the fact that many in positions of power and influence are oblivious--are unaware--of the unique challenges that disproportionately face African-American communities across this country. We must now acknowledge these challenges and address these disparities that they create because, when disparities go unaddressed, they become grievances. When grievances are ignored, it leads to friction and division and, ultimately, unrest. By no means do these disparities alone fully capture the entirety of the challenge before us. There still remain points of friction, more reminiscent of a different and shameful era in our history. Here, too, we can also suffer from indifference because the vast majority of Americans simply do not personally know the sting that comes from implicit and sometimes explicit reactions to the color of your skin, which is why true progress requires that we listen to the viewpoints of those who do. Listen to the young man I know who sees reports of a young man who looks like him--like his uncles, like his grandfather--being murdered by vigilantes in a case of mistaken identity. Who knows, had they had not taken video of themselves doing this, they would have gotten away with it. Listen, and he will tell you that he feels his life wouldn't matter either if it wasn't because he played professional football. Listen to the police officer I know who was pulled over while off duty at least seven times by his own department for no reason, and he will tell you of the humiliation of having to explain this to his teenage son. Listen to what it feels like to see on the news that, when a mother in Miami recently drowned her own autistic son in a terrible tragedy-- do you know how she tried to cover it up? By falsely telling the police that he had been abducted by two African-American men demanding drugs. Listen to what it feels like to read about the indictment of the chief of police of Biscayne Park, FL, who, in an effort to brag about having a perfect crime-solving record, ordered his officers to arrest anybody Black walking through their streets and, if they had any kind of criminal record, pin one of their unsolved crimes on them. Listen not because it is your fault, not because you are to blame; listen because this is what people who want to live together in harmony must do. This is the respect we owe one another as colleagues, as coworkers. This is the empathy that is required of us as neighbors, as friends, and as children of the same God. This may not be your fault, but this is our problem because, until we heal this divide, we will never ever have the kind of society we want, and we will never fulfill the full promise of our Nation. There is reason for hope, even in a deeply divided country where the political and cultural lines that divide us continue to harden. A clear consensus has emerged that we can no longer ignore matters of race in America, but it is a fragile consensus, already being tested by loud voices appealing to our most basic fears or those who see the opportunity to advance divisiveness and extreme ideas. If this is the path we choose, we will all look back at this time with profound regret, and we will be left with a society that is even angrier and more divided than it is now. We will be left with an America that no longer resembles the one we honor when we stand during the National Anthem. Ironically, we will ultimately be left with an America even further away from the one some kneel to demand. The only way forward is to treat each other with the empathy and respect required of the people who have decided to share a nation and a future. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. RUBIO. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I would like to have printed in the Record an article that was published in the Miami Herald, ``These Miami special ed teachers brought the party to students on the last day of school.'' I commend Ms. Coco-Molina and Ms. Lara for their dedication to Florida's students, and the memories they created that will never be forgotten. The material follows: [June 3, 2020] These Miami Special Ed Teachers Brought the Party to Students on Last Day of School (By Colleen Wright) Special education teachers Jen Coco-Molina and Jacquelyn Lara couldn't have their last day of school party at South Miami Senior High as usual, so they brought the party to their students. They pulled up in front of Cristin Baez-Alvarez's apartment building blasting Cristin's favorite song. From the ``mobile party'' in Coco-Molina's trunk, the teachers pulled out a goody bag just for 15-year-old Cristin: M&Ms, a daisy pen, a Disney Puppy Dog Pals coloring book and a smile balloon on a stick. ``It's a happy balloon, like you, always smiling,'' said Lara. Cristin took the goody bag and a bite out of a red frosted Publix cupcake. She's nonverbal, but her unflinching frosting-stained smile said it all. And what she couldn't express, her mother said in Spanish. ``She's emotional. She's afraid that when she goes back upstairs, she'll start crying,'' mom Cristina Baez told Lara. Like Coco-Molina and Lara, teachers everywhere have been adapting since the coronavirus pandemic catapulted them into online distance learning March 13. Wednesday was unceremoniously the last day of school for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. But the pair couldn't let the school year end like this. Coco-Molina teaches math and Lara teaches English and science to 11 ninth- and tenth-graders with varying disabilities. All but one of the students they visited Wednesday will have a different pair of teachers next year. ``We're their second moms,'' said Coco-Molina. ``We're not just their teachers.'' Coco-Molina's trunk was draped with a green plastic tablecloth. There were turquoise and pink paper lanterns, shiny streamers, and a letter board read ``Enjoy your summer.'' Next to the goody bags were cupcakes for the students, mini cupcakes for their families. Teachers get a surprise Max Ortiz waited on his front porch for his teachers with a surprise of his own. His mother made summer-themed gift bags for each teacher with beach bags, metal tumblers and makeup wipes. And he had assignment packets to turn in to each teacher. The 16-year-old dashed up to the car. ``Hi miss! How you doing?'' he said as he took a vanilla cupcake. ``I've been good, miss. It's been a while.'' ``You have been an ideal student,'' Lara said through tears. ``I wish I could have you as a student for the rest of your life.'' Coco-Molina couldn't hold back, either. ``He came to us as a boy, and now he's a freaking man,'' she said. ``He always needed our approval and now he's so independent.''

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 my privilege to recognize a small business that is known for excellence in its industry, outstanding craftsmanship, and creating dignified work in their community. This week, it is my pleasure to recognize Ideal Aluminum Products, LLC of St. Augustine, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. In 2010, Michael Siegel and Doug Brady purchased Ideal Aluminum Products. Based in DeLand, FL, this fence, gate, and railing manufacturing company had recently gone out of business. Doug, an alumnus of the University of South Florida, had also worked with Michael at Ideal Gas, LLC. Together, the two planned to turn this new company around. Over the next decade, Michael and Doug grew Ideal Aluminum into an industry leader. A favorable business environment and proximity to I-95 spurred Ideal Aluminum's relocation to St. Augustine in 2015. Their success as a local manufacturer and commitment to job creation was honored by then-Governor Rick Scott, who issued a monthly job report at their facility in 2016. Ideal Aluminum has been an ardent supporter of community development. In 2011, Ideal Aluminum manufactured, donated, and installed railings for ABC's ``Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.'' They were recognized in 2015 by GrowFL, which spotlights businesses that create quality jobs, enrich their communities, and broaden new industries throughout Florida. Ideal Aluminum was nominated for the Florida Sterling Manufacturing Business Award in 2017 for business excellence in Florida's manufacturing community. Michael and Doug were finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2017 and 2018. Ideal Aluminum has also been featured in the St. Augustine Record and industry publications. Like many other small businesses, Ideal Aluminum stepped up to help their community during the coronavirus pandemic. When Michael and Doug heard about the shortage of blood donations, they organized a blood drive at Ideal Aluminum and collected donations for Feeding Northeast Florida. The company matched every dollar collected, resulting in a $3,000 donation to feed the hungry in the St. Augustine area. When the U.S. Small Business Administration--SBA--launched the Paycheck Protection Program--PPP--Michael and Doug applied immediately. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. In late April, Ideal Aluminum received a PPP loan and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the SBA. As a result, they were able to keep all of their employees paid. Ideal Aluminum Products exemplifies how crucial small businesses are in creating jobs and building the local community. I commend their efforts to create jobs in the critical manufacturing sector. Congratulations to Michael, Doug, and the entire team at Ideal Aluminum. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Mr. RUBIO

Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today, I honor the life and achievements of Coach Shula, who passed away on May 4, 2020, at the age of 90. I am pleased the Senate passed a resolution honoring the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, with the following: Honoring the life and achievement of Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Donald Francis Shula and expressing condolences to his family on his passing. Whereas Coach Donald Francis Shula (referred to in this preamble as ``Coach Shula'') was born on January 4, 1930, and grew up in Painesville, Ohio; Whereas Coach Shula's father immigrated to the United States from Hungary; Whereas Coach Shula attended Harvey High School and later played collegiate football at John Carroll University; Whereas, in 1951, the Cleveland Browns selected Coach Shula in the ninth round of the National Football League (referred to in this preamble as the ``NFL'') draft as a defensive back; Whereas, in addition to playing for the Cleveland Browns, Coach Shula also played for the Baltimore Colts and the Washington Redskins; Whereas Coach Shula-- (1) began his coaching career at the University of Virginia; (2) also coached at the University of Kentucky; and (3) coached as a defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions; Whereas, in 1963, Coach Shula became the youngest coach in the NFL when he took the head coaching position at the Baltimore Colts; Whereas, as the head coach of the Baltimore Colts, Coach Shula-- (1) compiled a record of 71 wins, 23 losses, and 4 ties; and (2) won the NFL championship in 1968; Whereas, in 1970, Coach Shula became the head coach of the Miami Dolphins (referred to in this preamble as the ``Dolphins''); Whereas Coach Shula remained the head coach of the Dolphins for 26 seasons, took the Dolphins to 5 Super Bowls, and led the Dolphins to victory in 2 of those Super Bowls; Whereas Coach Shula led the 1972 Dolphins team to a perfect season; Whereas, in Super Bowl VII, Coach Shula led the Dolphins to victory over the Washington Redskins with a score of 14 to 7; Whereas, in Super Bowl VIII, Coach Shula led the Dolphins, the reigning Super Bowl champions, to victory over the Minnesota Vikings with a score of 24 to 7; Whereas, after 33 years of coaching, Coach Shula retired from coaching in 1995 with the NFL record for most wins by a head coach, compiling a regular season record of 328 wins, 156 losses, and 6 ties and a postseason record of 19 wins and 17 losses; Whereas Coach Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997; Whereas, following his coaching days, Coach Shula-- (1) supported many charities; (2) gave generously to his local parish; and (3) established the Don Shula Foundation to assist with breast cancer research; and Whereas Coach Shula, a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, passed away on May 4, 2020, at 90 years of age: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) recognizes the life and achievements of Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Donald Francis Shula (referred to in this resolution as ``Coach Shula''); (2) expresses condolences to the family of Coach Shula on his passing; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to-- (A) the family of Coach Shula; and (B) the Miami Dolphins.

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 that not only serves delicious food, but provides dignified work and promotes inclusivity for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This week, it is my pleasure to honor No Limits Cafe of Middletown, NJ, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. No Limits Cafe was created to help intellectually disabled individuals achieve their full potential. When their daughter, Katie, was born with Down syndrome, founders Stephanie and Mark Cartier began advocating for children with intellectual disabilities, ID. As Katie neared adulthood, Stephanie and Mark were concerned by the lack of meaningful employment and job training available for people with ID. They believed dignified work provided a sense of pride, purpose, and fulfilment. Employment was empowering. For adults with ID, it could be a life-changing opportunity. In 2017, they began planning a business that would enable adults like Katie to gain valuable work skills. Over the next 3 years, the Middletown community rallied to support what would later become No Limits Cafe. After the Cartiers bought an old restaurant, local businesses and organizations donated money, materials, and labor to transform the building into a welcoming and accessible space. No Limits Cafe was chartered as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, reflecting its commitment to ``do good'' in their community. Stephanie and Mark developed a two-phase program to fulfill their mission of helping adults with ID gain working skills and independence. First, employ 25-30 adults at the cafe with ID. Then, provide restaurant industry training workshops and place trainees within local restaurants. Near the end of 2019, more than 30 adults with ID were hired as the nonprofit enterprise prepared to launch. On February 6, 2020, No Limits Cafe opened its doors to widespread acclaim. In addition to gaining marketable skills, employees formed friendships, developed independence, and expressed a sense of pride in their work. No Limits Cafe was profiled in outlets ranging from local news and radio to ABC World News Tonight. Their motto of ``Eat Well--Do Good'' was clearly reflected in their work. Like many other nonprofits, No Limits Cafe experienced a sharp decline in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. Without enough money to pay their staff, Stephanie and Mark were forced to lay off all 36 employees. They donated the cafe's perishable supplies to a local food bank, unsure of when they could afford to reopen. When the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program--PPP--Stephanie and Mark immediately applied. The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. In early May, No Limits Cafe received a PPP loan. As a result, Stephanie and Mark have been able to rehire all 36 of their employees and will reopen No Limits Cafe for takeout starting Memorial Day weekend. No Limits Cafe is an outstanding example of how purpose-driven businesses can positively impact their communities. I commend their efforts to provide training and employment for adults with intellectual disabilities, a historically underserved population. Congratulations to Stephanie, Mark, and the entire team at No Limits Cafe. I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.