Darren Soto

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Shuster for his support. The technical amendment was advised to us by the Parliamentarian. I thank the chairman again for his support. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hoang A. Doan (aka HD), is a Vietnamese Refugee-Boat person who immigrated to Orlando, Florida in June 1979. He and his family were rescued in the Philippines Sea by the U.S. Navy, in September 1978 and lived in the Mandaluyon (Manila) Refugee camp until June 1979. Upon receiving a Bachelor and a Master Degree in Electrical Engineering, he initially worked for the Naval Sea Systems Command in Virginia until 1997, where he was recruited by the Naval Air Systems Command to work on various USN and Foreign Military projects until the present day. His works for the Navy included the overhaul of U.S. Navy Ships, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) sonar equipment, Fire Control equipment, and shipboard computer systems. Other projects include construction and modernizing Peacekeeping Forces in Mongolia, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Romania, Thailand, Slovakia. In addition, he assisted in building USN Helicopter Simulation and Training Programs across the U.S., Hawaii and Japan. He is currently serving as the Branch Manager at Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division in Orlando, Florida, and serving as the NAVAIR Wounded Warrior Recruiter, Asian American Pacific Islander Team Lead. He is serving as a Council Member to the city of Orlando Mayors Veterans Advisory Council, Orange County, (FL) Veterans Advisory Council, an active Commemoration Partner Member of the DoD's 50th Year Vietnam War Commemoration. He is married with two children. His wife, Christina, is an Engineer employed by the U.S. Marine Corps Program Management Training Systems (PMTRASYS). His son, is currently a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division, and his daughter is pursuing a medical career through the U.S. Army's University of Central Florida's ROTC Program.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Andrew Jeng. Horng ``Andrew'' Jeng has been extensively involved with different communities and organizations. He is owner of Uptech Computers, the President of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs of Central Florida, APAPA; president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida; principal of Kissimmee Chinese School; and president of Kiwanis Club of Kissimmee, Florida. In the past, Andrew was involved with the Boys & Girls Club; Seniors First Inc.; the Asian American Heritage Council; Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce; International Association of Chiefs of Police; and American veteran groups. As the president of Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, he supported the business community with facilities and intimate knowledge of the community as well as supporting businesses through advocating for positive business legislation, hosting network events and seminars, and international outreach. Andrew received the award of Outstanding Asian American from Orange County, Orlando in 2016; and in 2009, the community service of Asian American Heritage Council in Orlando, he earned a bachelor's of law from Central Police University in Taiwan, and a master's degree of computer information from the New York Institute of Technology. For that, Mr. Andrew Jeng, we recognize you. Honoring Dr. Sajid Chaudhary

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Imam Abdul Rahman Patel. Imam Abdul Rahman Patel is the head of the Imam Council of Central Florida, serving our community for over 20 years. Imam Patel works with community leaders, government officials, educators, and the community to foster peace, unity, and love. He has traveled to over 60 countries and brings his experience and understanding of different cultures to light by advocating across economic, social, religious, and cultural spheres. His love for the entire community is exemplified had his actions. He assisted in establishing the first free healthcare clinic in Osceola County, in our district, and provided much-needed medication and resources to the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, ensuring no person in need is turned away due to lack of funds or medication. Imam Patel has joined forces with local domestic abuse shelters, working to educate the community on domestic violence and providing support to local shelters through co-hosting events, providing medical services, meals, and support to survivors of domestic violence. As a Muslim American leader, he started some of the first institutions for Islamic education within the United States. For two decades, he has been devoted to serving the community. He has also hosted and organized community townhall meetings with local government. To promote unity, shortly after the Pulse nightclub tragedy in 2016, Imam Patel, along with other community leaders, organized an event to honor the victims from Osceola County. Since then, he has actively worked with other leaders to reach out and express support for central Floridians of all backgrounds. As a community leader and a father of eight children, Imam Patel has championed many causes to inspire togetherness among everyone in central Florida, vowing to spread love without limitation. For that, Imam Abdul Patel, we honor you. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Neal Abid. Neal Abid is the executive director of the largest nonprofit Arab American Community Center in Florida, a trusted resource and advocate for the Florida Arabic community. Mr. Abid is a passionate, philanthropic outreach provider through the AACCFL. Since Mr. Abid's appointment as executive director of the AACCFL, he has overseen the expansion of resource offices in Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. Over the past 4 years, the AACCFL charity services have assisted over 15,000 community members through its healthcare services, refugee assistance programs, and employment services, as well as many other services based out of the AACC Orlando headquarters. Mr. Abid is the founder of the largest annual community Arab festival that attracts over 35,000 attendees, combined, in Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, annually. Mr. Abid is notably recognized on the national level for his leadership role in the community. He is a passionate advocate for equality, human rights, women's rights, healthcare equality, and political engagement. Mr. Abid is an American Palestinian who resides in Orlando with his lovely wife and four beautiful children. For that, Mr. Neal Abid, we honor you. Honoring Imam Abdul Rahman Patel

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Khalid Muneer. Born in Pakistan, Khalid's family moved to the United Kingdom in 1961, where he graduated from the University of Aston in Birmingham. After 17 years in investment banking and working in eight countries, he moved to Florida and built a successful real estate commercial business. At the same time, he devoted his time and passion for civic duties to the Asian community. Khalid Muneer has been a very active leader in our community in central Florida. He was the President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce CFL in 2016, won the International Leadership Foundation Award in 2017 for his accomplishments, and was on the top 100 most influential people list reported by the Orlando Sentinel. This year, Khalid is president of the American Muslim Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Khalid is also a husband, father, grandfather, and has dedicated his work to strengthening the Asian American community in central Florida. For that, Mr. Khalid Muneer, we honor you. Honoring Neal Abid

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Valerie Boey. Valerie Boey is the president of the Asian American Journalist Association's Florida chapter. She had been in television news for more than 20 years in the Sunshine State and currently works for FOX 35 News in Orlando. As an award-winning television reporter, Valerie is proud to represent her Chinese American heritage on the evening news. In a world where crime often dominates headlines, she focuses on faith to help those who have been affected. Valerie not only mentors Asian journalist students, but also journalism students of all backgrounds, as well as young professionals. She teaches them to report all sides of a story. Valerie encourages her students to be the best they can be, knowing hard work pays off, whatever their heritage is, for being different is an honor, not an entitlement. Valerie assists the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters, applauding fellow journalists around the State on their achievements and taking part in the college workshop. She also volunteers her time with the Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation golf tournament, which benefits young music students. As a member of the Orange County Asian Committee, Valerie tries to bring people of Asian American heritage together, recognizing their talents and applauding their efforts to make this community better. Valerie's father, Bob, was born in Singapore and grow up in Hong Kong. Her mother, Doris, was born in New York. She believes they both inspire her to carry on the importance of their Asian culture. Valerie is happily married to Jeff Ramsey, who has taught her all about his Southern roots and appreciation for barbecue; but she, too, has taught him an appreciation for dim sum and the essence of feng shui. For that, Valerie Boey, we honor you. Honoring Khalid Muneer

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Ricky Ly. Ricky Ly is an Orlando engineering professional. The son of Vietnamese boat refugees, he has proudly served central Florida in the community for the past 15 years. In 2018, he was chosen by Orlando Weekly as one of the 10 people making Orlando a better place to be. As a past co-chair of the Florida Water Environment Association's Water Resources, Reuse, and Resiliency Committee, he worked to educate fellow water professionals, community leaders, and the public about critical water resources and challenges that face our State. Mr. Ly currently serves on the board of directors of Second Harvest Food Bank. He has been involved with the City of Orlando's Families, Parks and Recreation board; the Orlando Mayor's City Academy; Pi Delta Psi Fraternity; and a board member for local NPR affiliate WMFE. Mr. Ly also leads voting registration campaigns for the local Asian American community and was awarded the Golden Hands Award from the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. He recently worked with the local PBS affiliate, WUCF-TV, on the documentary series ``Vietnamese Orlando,'' highlighting the history of the vibrant Vietnamese American community in Orlando. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, he is the cofounder of the Asian Pacific American Coalition at UCF and served as a student government senator representing the UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science. He is also the author of the book, ``Food Lovers' Guide to Orlando,'' and founder of tastychomps.com, highlighting our local Orlando restaurants, markets, and growing food scene. In 2017, he was inducted into the Orlando Sentinel Culinary Hall of Fame. He is also featured in the Orlando Sentinel's ``Central Florida 100,'' a weekly opinion column featuring 100 of the most influential people in local government, politics, and culture. He is most thankful for his parents; his life partner, May Wong; and their firstborn daughter, Victoria, who brings their family much joy and hope for the future and new dreams for the American Dream. For that, Ricky Ly, we honor you. Honoring Valerie Boey

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Jose Fabricante, Jr. Jose, ``Joed'' Fabricante, Jr., is currently the president of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. He has been involved with the chamber since 2010 and has taken multiple leadership roles within the organization. The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida's mission is to provide leadership, support, and encouragement to the Asian American business community of Orlando so that the members of that organization may prosper and grow. Jose currently works for Universal Orlando Resort in the security division as an entry-screening sergeant. He has also worked in various departments at Universal Orlando Resort and has had an impressive career with the company for close to 15 years. Jose is also on the board of directors for the Orlando Economic Partnership since 2018, this year. His family moved to the United States in 1992 from the Philippines and has called Florida home since then. For that, Jose Fabricante, Jr., we honor you. Honoring Ricky Ly

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Dr. Sajid Chaudhary. Dr. Sajid Chaudhary is an infections disease specialist providing healthcare services in the Kissimmee area since 2004. He completed his internal medicine training from Brown University and his infectious disease fellowship training from the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Chaudhary is on faculty at the UCF College of Medicine, teaching medical students and resident doctors. Dr. Chaudhary has served, also, on the board of Osceola Regional Medical Center, and he is a founding board member and served as president of the Association of Pakistani Americans of Central Florida. He has served as president of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America, known as APPNA, and launched projects for four mobile clinics to help uninsured people in four States in the United States, including Florida. Dr. Chaudhary is very active in the community through volunteering and most recently helped raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in 2017. Earlier this year, I joined Dr. Chaudhary in the opening of a free healthcare clinic in Kissimmee, in our district, which he was very actively involved in establishing. For that, Dr. Sajid Chaudhary, we honor you. Honoring Jose Fabricante, Jr.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Khanna for all of the good work that he is doing. I know he is changing the world in California. There are going to be so many labor issues to come from that that I can't even dream of right now. But I rest assured knowing that someone of his savviness of knowing technology will help us make sure that we are protecting working families going into the future. I also share his concern and believe that American Airlines should be paying living wages to the folks who are working for them and certainly stand with CWA on that issue. Today, we are talking about Janus v. AFSCME. Mr. Janus is a man who wants to get something for nothing, a man who wants to get the benefit of collective bargaining without having to pay for it, and he is asking the Supreme Court to dismantle unions in the process of that, all because he doesn't agree with some political messaging of the union, in this case, AFSCME. I would like to take a moment to take this logic to its end. Perhaps every shareholder should be able to object to Fortune 500 companies about political messaging they disagree with. Every single one of them: 1 share; 1 million shares. Perhaps every employee should have the right to object to their Fortune 500 company employers' political messaging if they disagree. But, of course, that is not what is happening because this is a concerted attack on America's unions, leaving corporate dark money to reign unchecked in our political process. Ultimately, it is an attack on the middle class. Imagine our country without a strong middle class. Imagine a country with just the haves and the have-nots. There are plenty across this globe. There are plenty that aren't making a big difference in this world because when you have the rich control all capital, all political power, that is when they control us, and we don't have the innovation. We don't have the incentive. We don't have the progress that is so critical to capitalism, which I think is being missed on this. If you don't have a fair market, you can't have successful capitalism, and part of a fair market includes having a strong voice for our middle class, for our working folks, through our unions. It is no surprise that a rise to greatness in this country was tied to the rise of the middle class. Think about it: GIs returning home from World War II, fanning out to the suburbs. Even before that, around World War I and before that, when you had all of these major milestones that we talked about--a 40-day workweek, overtime, child labor laws, OSHA, so many things that happened, antitrust, that created the modern economy--and we surged and prosperity reigned through most corners of the United States. So I want to just take a moment--and I appreciate Mr. Khanna for bringing this forward--to urge the Supreme Court to do the right thing: to protect the right to collectively bargain from being dragged down by nonunion free riders just because they disagree with the political message. Or, in the alternative, allow every employee, every shareholder, to object to corporate political speech they disagree with. Let's keep it fair on all sides then. If I have one share and I am a part-time employee of a major Fortune 500 company and I disagree, I should be able to object, just like this man wants to be able to object. Corporations aren't people; people are people. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Khanna) for the opportunity to be able to stand with him on behalf of America's working families.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I want to congratulate the chairman on having a productive committee. I appreciate that one of those bills was from our own office. We will keep them coming, hopefully. Back to the bill at hand. Almost 200 years ago, the Indian Nonintercourse Act was enacted with the intention of protecting Indian tribes by preventing the loss of their lands. It does so by preventing the transfer, sale, lease, or other conveyance of any land owned by an Indian tribe to third parties without Federal approval. This prohibition applies to both trust and tribally owned fee lands. Although a number of laws have been passed over the centuries that effectively supersede the Nonintercourse Act, the actual act has never been repealed. Therefore, relief from the act is sometimes necessary so that a tribe may manage their fee lands efficiently and put them to productive use. This is what S. 1285 would do. It clarifies that these seven Oregon tribes have the authority to lease, sell, convey, warrant, or otherwise transfer their tribally owned fee lands without approval from the Federal Government. The bill also clarifies that this authority does not apply to trust lands. Congress has previously enacted similar laws for other Indian tribes, so this measure is not unprecedented. In closing, I want to thank our colleague from Oregon, Congressman Peter DeFazio, for his sponsorship of the House version of this bill and his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. I have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1417 will allow the National Law Enforcement Museum to display firearms associated with the history of law enforcement in the United States. This bill was developed in cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to ensure that the museum is authorized to display these items without jeopardizing public safety. The National Law Enforcement Enforcement Museum was authorized by Congress in 2000, and is scheduled to open in Washington, D.C., later this year. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the brave men and women in uniform who keep us safe every day by supporting this bill, and I share Congressman Young's concern about making sure that we are honoring our fellow law enforcement officers. It was just this past year that we lost several law enforcement officers from central Florida, including in my district. On Sunday, I found myself going to the Law Enforcement Memorial to plant a rose next to the picture of one of our fallen officers, Lieutenant Clayton, whom we lost this past year. She was also a dear friend of Congresswoman Demings. In addition, we lost Sergeant Howard and Officer Baxter of the Kissimmee Police Department, who were killed in the line of duty this past year. We also honor them. These are opportunities for us to remember that these officers put their lives on the line every day to make sure that we are safe. Sergeant Howard, Officer Baxter, and Lieutenant Clayton faced dangers, and we need to memorialize them. We also lost Deputy Norman Lewis from Orange County, as well, who served under Sheriff Jerry Demings, husband of Congresswoman Demings. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, just to close, I would like to take a moment to remember Sergeant Howard, Officer Baxter, Lieutenant Clayton, and Deputy Lewis, who lost their lives this past year protecting our communities in Orlando and Kissimmee. I also appreciate Mr. Young from Alaska for putting forth this bill and the chairman for managing the bill today. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi for, one, chronicling the legacy and untimely death of Medgar Evers, a favorite son of Mississippi and civil rights hero, and also for his personal remarks on how he inspired him. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, while I was born 15 years after the untimely death of Mr. Medgar Evers, we live in a more just and perfect union as a result of his sacrifices. So I thank his sacrifices and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) for bringing this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 35 transfers jurisdiction of approximately 200 acres of public land from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Cemetery Administration to extend the Black Hills National Cemetery. Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the Armed Forces who have met a minimum of Active Duty service requirement and were discharged under certain conditions. BLM offered their general support for this bill when it was considered during a Senate hearing. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill that honors our Nation's fallen heroes who fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy today, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the gentlewoman from South Dakota on her hard work on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, Soto amendment number 3 to H.R. 4, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, would require a sink or sanitizing equipment in the lactation area in commercial service airports. This small but significant change would benefit traveling mothers and children. A 2014 study in Breastfeeding Medicine showed that only 62 of the top 100 passenger-volume U.S. airports labeled themselves as ``breastfeeding friendly''. However, they found that only eight of the 100 surveyed airports provided the minimum requirements for a lactation room, as set forth under Section 122 of this bill. I am pleased to see that this bill would require medium or large hub airports to maintain lactation areas in each passenger terminal building with minimum requirements of a chair, table, and electrical outlet. With the inclusion of my amendment, traveling mother will now have access to sanitation equipment, too. I thank Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, and the staff of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their support and for working with me on this amendment. I thank my colleagues for their support on this issue.

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, Soto amendment, Soto number 21, to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, H.R. 4, would require the FAA Administrator to also consider the potential emergency medical needs of pregnant women when evaluating the minimum contents of approved medical kits--currently the bill only specifies the consideration of children's emergency medical needs. Obstetrical symptoms, while rare causes of in-flight medical emergencies, should be given consideration when evaluating the adequacy of in-flight emergency medical kits. I am pleased to see that this bill would require the consideration of the potential emergency medical needs of pregnant women. I thank Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, and the staff of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, for their support and for working with me on this amendment. I also thank my colleagues for their support on this issue.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of my bill, H.R. 3961, the Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2018. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bishop, Ranking Member Grijalva, Chairman McClintock, Ranking Member Hanabusa, and Congressman Webster for all their collaboration and support on this important bill. The Kissimmee River forms the headwaters of both Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. Decades ago, the Federal and State governments, including Florida, instructed the Army Corps of Engineers to channelize this river, leading to a decline in the ecosystem. Decades later, both the Federal Government and State government got together and spent nearly a billion dollars to restore this iconic river in order to improve recreation activities for Floridians and all Americans; to protect local ecosystems, including endangered species; and, of course, to clean the water that goes to Lake Okeechobee and eventually to the Everglades. This bill, now that we have spent nearly a billion dollars, will help start us down the road for potential protection, and I am proud to work with both sides of the aisle to make sure that we get it right. I believe it is imperative for future generations that we use this as an opportunity to safeguard the investment that we have made and to protect this ecosystem for wildlife corridors, for the enjoyment of Floridians and all Americans, for the protection of species, and to make sure that we are protecting the Everglades for future generations. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank, once again, our Natural Resources Committee, including Chairman Bishop, Ranking Member Grijalva, Chairman McClintock, Ranking Member Hanabusa, and Congressman Webster for working with me on this. With their support, this legislation could only be on the floor with them helping out. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in this Chamber to support H.R. 3961.