Darren Soto

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, headline: Democrats deliver for the American people again. Democrats deliver for Central Florida, again. Lowering prescription drug prices and capping costs for seniors. Extending child tax credit payments. Paid family leave and lower childcare costs for Central Florida families. Providing nearly 1 million Floridians with an expansion of the ACA, boosting affordable housing, immigration reform, the largest effort to combat climate change in history. And unlike the GOP tax scam that busted the deficit by $400 billion and $4 trillion in debt, we pay for ours with major corporations, and the wealthy paying their fair share. Madam Speaker, the Republicans are doing nothing but divide. The Democrats are delivering for America.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, let it be known, just 90 miles off the coast of our State of Florida is a murderous, socialist dictatorship that is murdering and crushing its people. Let it also be known across this Nation that Democrats and Republicans are coming together today to express solidarity with Cuban citizens demonstrating peacefully for fundamental freedoms and democracy. We saw it this summer when they took to the streets on the island as well as across our country including in Orlando. I was proud to stand in solidarity. Resolutions expressing support are important, but so is action, which is why, after this is done, we need to pursue other, more substantive policies like: stopping enslavement of Cuban doctors, putting more pressure for internet access on the island; addressing Havana syndrome and the attack on our diplomats, sanctions and U.N. action to stop even some of our own U.N. European allies from continuing to prop up this dictatorship. That will make a big difference.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, today the House just passed the Senate substitute for our bill, the bipartisan H.R. 164, and it now heads to President Biden's desk. It helps right an injustice. Historically, land has been held in trust for Tribes by the Federal Government, as is the case for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In modern times, this has become a cumbersome process. The bill itself was necessary to allow the Seminole Tribe to engage in certain land transactions that were interpreted as necessary by a congressional bill, by the Indian Non-Intercourse Act, so this would allow them to finally engage in those land transactions. It is critical for the Seminoles and other Tribes to be able to conduct their affairs without having to go to Congress every time. Comprehensive reform is needed in the future, and we appreciate the support in the House today to send this very good bill to President Biden.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I would have voted YEA for Roll Call number 338, S. 1511--Protecting America's First Responders Act of 2021, had I been present.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Pedro Brull. Pedro was born in 1938 in the town of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. From a young age, his father encouraged him to take lessons in drawing and painting with famous Puerto Rican artist Rafael Rios Rey in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His mentor later recommended Pedro to artist Nina Lelled, who was the former art director for a local Puerto Rican television station. Brull worked for this company for 22 years, working as an apprentice, a TV technician, and later as art director and production manager. During this time, Brull studied commercial art and received a bachelor's degree in fine arts while at a New York City TV station. Pedro Brull is an award-winning artist and is recognized by many institutions. He even received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his artwork. His artwork is on display in several places including Spain, Africa, Puerto Rico, and numerous art galleries within the United States. Pedro is also the recent creator of ``La Diaspora de Artistas Puertorriquenos.'' Today, he is focusing his efforts on the creation of a Museum for Latino Art and Culture. Five other Hispanic artists have joined Pedro to coordinate this project. In Spain, the Museum of Graphic and Drawing invited Pedro to send three of his drawings to be part of their permanent museum collection where they have been placed for art enthusiasts to enjoy. Pedro is married to Magda Brull and together they have four children: Maria, Jaime, Haydee, and Pablo. Brull was a former evangelical minister for more than 50 years. For this and more, we honor Pedro Brull.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Stephanie Carrizales. Stephanie is a Mexican American patient care tech at Winter Haven Women's Hospital in Central Florida. She has served her community for the past eight years and plans to continue devoting her time to patient care in the future. Stephanie began her career at Winter Haven Women's as a night shift interpreter. She is proud of her Mexican heritage and bilingualism and knew she wanted to do this from a young age. She felt honored to help patients and doctors understand one another, especially for mothers when meeting their newborns. Stephanie was born and raised in Polk County by her two hardworking and loving Mexican parents. They immigrated to this country as teenagers to find better opportunities for their family. Stephanie believes that her parents' work ethic has kept her motivated to strive toward her goals. She graduated from Bartow High School with high honors and obtained her certified nursing assistant license in the school's medical program. She is a first-generation college graduate with her A.A. degree in liberal arts. Stephanie is proud of her Hispanic culture and is honored to help her community every day. For this and more, we honor Stephanie Carrizales.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Teresa Rodriguez. Teresa is one of the many northern transplants who now call Central Florida home. A native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent, she arrived in Orlando in 2012. After two years of working in the tourism industry, she now works at the University of Central Florida. Her time there has afforded her the opportunity to assist and create outreach efforts for Hispanic and other diverse communities in Orlando. Having received her bachelor's degree in Spanish from Brooklyn College at the City University of New York, she put her bilingual skills to good use and worked with the City of Orlando's ``Hispanic Office for Local Assistance'' to establish and maintain free English classes. She served as the point of contact, advocate, and administrator for the university-wide Latin American-Caribbean scholarship initiative, the Hurricane Maria Disaster Recovery Program, and the Venezuela Assistance Program at the English Language Institute. She also assisted in running the Hurricane Dorian Disaster Recovery Tuition Assistance Program. Teresa was a selection committee member and helped process non- resident alien tuition emergency funds assistance via a hardship waiver program. She also helped coordinate efforts between several partners and newly arrived Central Florida non-English speaking community members to help them acquire Florida state licenses. Teresa remains affiliated to and volunteers for the Puerto Rico Research Hub at UCF. For this and more, we honor Teresa Rodriguez.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Olga Aymat. Olga is a recognized news anchor, professional communicator, and master of ceremonies in Central Florida. She was born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, where she began her training in arts and communications. Her work at the forefront of journalism for the past two decades continues with work on television networks such as Univision. She is now one of the main anchors of the stellar news of Telemundo Orlando/NBC Universal. Olga continues to demonstrate her passion and commitment to the community through special reports touching on human trafficking, drug addiction, bullying in schools, epidemics, and living testimonies, as well as political, educational, and special coverage issues such as the Pulse massacre in Orlando. She received various special awards for her outstanding professional career and was recognized by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer for outstanding community efforts. In an effort of continued growth, she recently reinforced her journalistic career as an international motivational speaker at John Maxwell University. Olga's true passion lies in being an active community leader and she continues advocating against domestic violence and human trafficking. She is proud to give voice to the voiceless and connect community members with the resources they need. For this and more, we honor Olga Aymat.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Ricky Rodriguez. On his 25th birthday, Ricky learned the story of his birth and was inspired to pursue a career in nursing. From how his mother tells it, Ricky almost didn't make it, but thankfully the doctors, emergency room personnel, and nurses present cleared his airway and successfully intervened, saving his life. This story has left a profound impact, leading Ricky to attain his nursing degree and work to help Floridians receive the best possible healthcare. Just like the personnel who once intervened for him, Ricky works as an emergency department nurse. He also inspired his younger brother to pursue nursing and the brothers successfully graduated from the same class 12 years ago, Today, they are both proud to be nursing directors in their respective departments, always eager to lend a helping hand to anyone who might need it and help people live healthier lives. For this and more, we honor Ricky Rodriguez.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Sol Hincapie. Sol was born in Medellin, Colombia, and came to New York City when she was 13 years old. She lived in New York for 25 years and then moved to Florida, where she has lived for four years. Sol completed her bachelor's degree in science nursing in Puerto Rico and graduated as a licensed practical nurse from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. She is currently working towards getting her license as a registered nurse. Sol is the oldest three children and has two brothers, Rafael and Alejandro Urrego. Her parents, Alberto and Marleny Urrego, worked hard to provide a better life and education for Sol and her brothers. They encouraged their children to stay in school and become better people by helping their community and others. Sol has a caring and compassionate personality and is satisfied through helping others. This satisfaction is what motivated her to choose nursing as a career. Sol serves as a senior licensed practical nurse at the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County, providing support to the school health program. She has been at the forefront of the health department's COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts and continues to provide quality healthcare to the residents of our community. For this and more, we honor Sol Hincapie.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Dr. Luis Herrera. As medical director of the Orlando Health Cancer Institute Thoracic Oncology Program, Dr. Herrera serves Central Florida by providing the most advanced levels of innovative care for patients with lung and esophageal cancer at the busiest thoracic surgery location in Florida. After attending medical school at the University of Puerto Rico, Dr. Herrera completed a general surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh, followed by a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, prior to joining Orlando Health in 2006. Dr. Herrera is widely regarded as a pioneering senior thoracic surgeon with advanced expertise in lung cancer treatment and minimally invasive and robotic surgery. He has received a number of prestigious research grants, published dozens of journal articles and scientific abstracts, and holds academic appointments at the colleges of medicine at the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, and Florida State University. In his current role as medical director, Dr. Herrera has led the significant growth of the Thoracic Oncology Program at Orlando Health Cancer Institute. Through effective recruitment, innovative technology, and operational efficiencies, he has developed the leading thoracic surgery program in Florida. He is now focused on developing a state-of- the-art lung cancer screening program, the first of its kind to Florida. Dr. Herrera also serves as co-director of the Orlando Health Advanced Robotic Surgery Program, chief of the Orlando Health Perioperative Governance Committee and member of Orlando Health's Oncology Executive Cabinet. For this and more, we honor Dr. Herrera.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Arnaldo ``Arnie'' Amoros. Arnie was born and raised in New York City. He is married to his wife Betsy and together they raised two children. Alex and Alexis, and one granddaughter, Ari. He joined the New York City Police Department in 1980 and retired as a lieutenant. In 2015, Arnie became president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Central Florida continues in this position to this day. Arnie first came to Central Florida in 1996 as a deputy in the Sheriffs Office where he was instrumental the restructuring of several procedures. During this time, he helped introduce the NYPD's community policing concept to the office. On September 11, 2001. Arnie volunteered to assist in efforts at Ground Zero and remained there for a month. After his time with the Seminole County Sheriffs Office, Arnie fulfilled his duties at the Fire Marshal's Office until 2011 when he retired. However, he continued to serve his community and in 2015, Arnie became president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Central Florida. In 2016, Arnie helped draft a state bill which enabled all disabled Florida first responders who were injured in the line of duty to receive a homestead exemption. The bill was signed into law and took effect on January 2017. Arnie continues to contribute to investigative cases as an experienced officer and has enabled the arrest of two suspects in cold cases. For this and more, we honor Arnaldo Amoros.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Dr. Jesus ``JV'' Roa. Dr. Roa is an emergency medicine physician serving Central Florida in the Orlando Regional Medical Center Emergency Department. As the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved, Dr. Roa has been at the forefront of the response. As the director of resident professional development and emergency medicine clerkship director for Orlando Health, Dr. Roa was instrumental in leading the hospital systems' clinical teams in the emergency room. His work involved inspiring team members through challenging days while working long, strenuous hours. Dr. Roa contributed to developing treatment options including the use of emerging therapies for COVID-19 patients. Dr. Roa and his physician colleagues made critical decisions that impacted staff safety and allowed providers to clinically assess and treat patients, as well as deliver outstanding care. In addition to his work with Orlando Health, Dr. Roa serves as medical director of the Orlando Police Department SWAT team, volunteering his time to train with the team that takes on the most dangerous assignments to resolve critical incidents. Using his military and medical expertise, earned through 20 years of service in the United States Army Reserves combined with three years of active duty as a combat medic prior to medical school, Dr. Roa helps train officers in the use of advanced tactics and specialized equipment, so they are prepared to handle dangerous, high-risk situations. Dr. Roa trained at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University and completed a residency in emergency medicine at Orlando Regional Medical Center. He is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. For this and more, we honor Dr. Jesus Roa.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Command Sergeant Major Anibal Albertorio. Command Sergeant Major Albertorio is what he calls 91 years young. He served as a member of the United States Army from l 948 to 1971 as part of the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers. He participated as an infantryman with them during the Korean War and later participated as sky trooper with the 1st Cavalry Division, 7th Cavalry Regiment during the Vietnam War. During and after his military service, Albertorio received several awards including the Korean War Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Vietnam War Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service, and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal, among many others. Albertorio retired from military service after nearly 23 years and successfully retired from the private sector as well. He calls Central Florida his home since 1990. To date, Command Sergeant Major Albertorio continues to be a spokesperson for the Borinqueneers, carrying the torch for his brothers in arms, and keeping their legacy alive. He also helps to coordinate and create events to pay tribute to other Borinqueneers that have yet to receive a Congressional Gold Medal and participates in informative events to educate future generations of patriots about the U.S. Army's 65th Infantry Regiment. For this and more, we honor Command Sergeant Major Anibal Albertorio.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Jackie D. Mendez. Jackie is the founder and editor-in-chief of Tu Revista Mujer, Florida's first Spanish, female-focused health magazine. Established in 2009, the publication was created to address the health issues surrounding the Latina community. It is the first of its kind to interview celebrities and leaders of the Hispanic community to advocate for personal care and better quality of life. Jackie is also one of the founders of Talleres de Bienvenida, the informative conferences for newcomers to Central Florida. Jackie is also the current executive director of the Pan American Medical Association of Central Florida--producing events, developing medical directories, and hosting health-minded programming for the community. Born in Spain and raised in Puerto Rico, her career started with a degree in journalism from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. She also worked at Casiano Communications as a sales manager of Buena Vida Magazine and GTV Magazine, and as the editor of Comercio and Produccion for the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, before moving to Florida in 2002 with her two daughters. There, she began a career in advertising at El Nuevo Dia Orlando, and in 2012, she became the communications director of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Mrs. Mendez's life's motivation is to serve others through education and awareness on issues of health knowledge. Her philosophy is that knowledge is the primary tool to combat ignorance and leads to valuable new perspectives. For this and more, we honor Jackie D. Mendez.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Juana Diaz. Juana was born in Polk County, Florida. Her parents immigrated from Mexico to the United States and worked as migrant workers. When Juana was a child, she recalls living in a migrant camp. There, she encountered a public health nurse who came to the camps to administer vaccinations and aid the workers in their overall health. The impact of that moment led her to believe that she could one day be a nurse and help her community. In 1996, Juana applied to work at Winter Haven Hospital as a ward clerk. After working in the surgical intensive care unit, she recalls how the intensive care nurses were compassionate, caring, and brilliant, which inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. Juana understood that nursing was her calling. After graduating from Polk Community College with her associates degree in nursing in 2003, Juana began her career in the same unit she started as a ward clerk. Throughout her career, Juana has had the privilege of helping many of her fellow Hispanic patients and families. She understood that language barriers frequently affected the care of these patients and made it her duty to help whenever she could. Juana obtained her certification in critical care nursing in June of 2009 and recently graduated with her bachelor's degree in nursing. Juana has a strong work ethic, which she inherited from her parents. They came to this country not knowing the language or culture and achieved the American dream for themselves and their children. For this and more, we honor Juana Diaz.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Angelita Seda. Angelita was born in Brooklyn, New York to Puerto Rican parents. She began her career as a home health aide at a senior care center where she developed a passion for healthcare. After earning her nursing degree, she pursued higher education at Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she received degrees in medical assistance and billing. Angelita loves her family. She has four daughters and one grandson. Her biggest asset is her tenacious attitude and willingness to keep trying to help people in need. Throughout her career, she has seen many people in need of quality healthcare, which has led her to develop a work ethic based on empathy for her patients. As a senior licensed practical nurse at the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County, her responsibilities include school health and ensuring students remain healthy. Angelita has worked to provide back-to-school vaccinations and health screenings for school-aged children. She continues to play an important role in COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at the health department. For this and more, we honor Angelita Seda.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Cramer Verde. Cramer was raised in Peru and now makes Florida his home. As a child, his father's work as a city councilman and business owner sparked his interest in helping others. He continues this legacy to this day, and still remembers his early involvement in supporting his hometown through community efforts. Cramer received a degree in marketing and business administration from San Ignacio de Loyola University in Lima, Peru. There, he worked closely with the school administration and was president of the University Social Alliance. This student nonprofit organization worked with the vice president of Peru to provide educational and medical material to kids in low-income communities. These experiences helped cultivate Cramer's drive for success and spirit of hard work. When Cramer moved to Sarasota in 2003, he quickly saw a need to change immigration policies and other issues. He mobilized and got involved with numerous organizations like UnidosNow, the ACLU of Florida, and LULAC Florida. Presently, he serves as political director of LULAC Florida and president of the Sarasota chapter of the ACLU of Florida. In his professional career, Cramer has worked with the Small Business Administration of Peru, Microsoft, Bank of America, and many other groups, organizations, and companies. Cramer is an entrepreneur and currently the owner of Casa Verde Real Estate and Cramer Strategic Consulting, a marketing-political consulting company. He is a car aficionado, dog lover, husband, and is always looking at different ways to support and defend his community from any threats or harm. For this and more, we honor Cramer Verde.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Dr. Diana Mejia. Dr. Mejia is a dedicated and passionate advocate against domestic violence. As an activist for Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Advocacy for Change, Dr. Mejia aims to create a highlighted awareness within municipal and government agencies of a need for change in policies and legislation to enhance education and services that protect victims and survivors of violence and sexual abuse. Dr. Mejia has an 18-year track record of serving the culturally diverse population of Orlando, Florida, which is composed primarily of Hispanic women and their children. Through her work, Dr. Mejia has been able to mentor, teach, support, and advocate for many of these women and families. As a prevention practitioner provider, she continues to help families affected by sexual violence in the management of culturally relevant services, including immigrant communities, faith- based organizations, seminars, and culturally specific programs geared to prevent sexual violence. She has a particular passion for advocating for male survivors as well, and she has been invited to work in collaboration with the Mexican and Colombian consulates to educate their communities in Central Florida. For this and more, we honor Dr. Diana Mejia.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor Anthony Carrillo. Anthony Carrillo serves as the Florida regional director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. As director, he represents the government of Puerto Rico and over 1.3 million U.S. citizens from the island who now call the Sunshine State home. In this role, he has provided much-needed assistance to the Puerto Rican community in the post-Hurricane Maria era, assisting small businesses with opportunities, helping thousands of citizens who relocated from the island, and helping former inmates to get second chances by providing community services such as housing, healthcare, jobs, and vital documents. Mr. Carrillo is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Equality Coalition, a nonprofit organization focused on educating and advancing equality to Puerto Ricans. In 2020, the people of Puerto Rico elected him as a presidential delegate for President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention. Prior to his appointment as regional director, he served as Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration's District of Columbia office policy advisor in the government affairs division, where he was the lead advisor of the Puerto Rico Statehood Commission and handled multiple policy portfolios. Moreover, from 2011 to 2015, Mr. Carrillo was the co-founder and elected chairman of the Young Democrats of America Hispanic Caucus, the largest youth Hispanic democratic organization promoting voter education and outreach in the United States. Mr. Carrillo received his higher education in Puerto Rico, is an Army veteran and current captain in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps and serves as the national security law chief of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command. In his spare time, Mr. Carrillo enjoys volunteering for multiple voting, civil rights, and veteran advocacy organizations. For this and more, we honor Anthony Carrillo.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding life and legacy of Matthew J. McCarthy, age 35, who passed away far too soon on Friday, August 13, 2021. A talented and respected trumpet player, composer, arranger, and educator, Matt touched the lives of countless individuals and left a lasting impression on the central Florida music community. Matt was a professional trumpet player, specializing in modern and improvised music. He had experience playing all styles of music, including jazz, big band, orchestral, chamber music, rock, ska, pop, commercial, salsa, and more. He worked with musicians and performance groups that included the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Sam Rivers RivBea Orchestra, Cirque Du Soleil's La Nouba, Junkierush, the Outer Toons, the Supervillans, Mad Sexual Genius, the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, various bands of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, and countless other local groups and celebrities. Matt also spent a lot of time performing with the one and only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, playing lead trumpet. It was with this group, he toured all over the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and on countless international cruises. A prolific composer and arranger, specializing in custom arrangements and charts, Matt had experience in transcription, copywork, and orchestration for groups of all sizes. His library included hundreds of arrangements for jazz chamber groups, big bands, large orchestras, latin ensembles, and original compositions for a variety of groups. Frequently premiering new works, his arrangements became highly sought after, especially for competitive marching bands. Matt began his career in music at the University of Central Florida, where he studied trumpet, composition, and jazz studies, graduating with a dual-specialty Bachelor of Music degree in 2007. During that time, he began working as a freelance trumpet player and arranger. This eventually led to a long career with the bands of Walt Disney World. Additionally, Matt started subbing in the trumpet section for the Sam Rivers RivBea Orchestra, which began a life-long interest in experimental and avant-garde music. Matt furthered his musical career in 2013 by attending graduate school at the University of South Florida, where he graduated with a Master of Music in jazz composition in 2015. There he studied with Chuck Owen and Jack Wilkins. During his tenure at USF, Matt performed as lead trumpet player for Jazz Ensemble I, served as director of Jazz Ensemble II, and taught various courses in the Jazz Studies Department. Matt frequently appeared with the USF Jazz Faculty Ensemble and toured Italy with the USF Jazztet in the summer of 2015, performing at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. While studying composition, Matt was awarded the Owen Prize for Jazz Composition for his tune. ``Hans the Hunter.'' Matt McCarthy leaves behind a legacy of kindness, imagination, and musical excellence. Matt's positive and creative outlook on life touched the lives of so many and made our community a better place. I am saddened by the loss of such a valuable member of the community and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, the American people have spoken. It is time to build back better. Today's historic vote shows that President Biden and the Democratic Congress are united and that we are keeping our promises to the American people who put us in office. Today, we move forward on the bipartisan infrastructure package to rebuild our Nation. Today, we move forward on the Build Back Better reconciliation bill to invest in American families. And today, we move forward on restoring the Voting Rights Act to protect our democracy. It is not a moment too soon. Florida's Ninth Congressional District is the fastest growing district in the Nation, 40 percent growth, as I represent 955,000 constituents. Whether it is central Florida or across the Nation, it is time to upgrade America's roads, bridges, ports, airports, rural broadband, clean water, and resilient and renewable energy. It is time to make childcare costs and workforce education more affordable. It is time to help our seniors, extend middle-class tax cuts, combat climate change, and build back better.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Pallone, Chairwoman Schakowsky, Representative McNerney, Ranking Member Rodgers, Ranking Member Bilirakis, and Representative Guthrie for bringing forward these key bills on technology. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies, and cryptocurrency are playing a growing importance in our daily lives and are going to be an economic driver for the 21st century economy. Blockchain, in essence, is a fixed ledger. Once you add data or a transaction, it cannot be changed. Therefore, it makes the data have integrity and makes sure that, as we are doing transactions and adding data over the internet, it can't be changed and that there is certainty to it. That is why it is so critical. Then once we add AI to analyze this fixed data, we could help solve some of the largest problems that we face as a nation: healthcare, climate change, to be two examples; the delivery of personal protection equipment during a pandemic. And, of course, cryptocurrency allows for small businesses, in particular, to provide services across the world without the transaction costs of exchanging currencies. It will help with remittances and other ways that we can modernize our economy. It is essential that the United States continue to be a global leader in these emerging technologies to ensure our democratic values remain at the forefront of this technological development. Authoritarian regimes like China and Russia are investing heavily in these areas. It is absolutely critical for the free world to invest and to win the future in these areas. Also, as a responsible global leader, the United States must strike the appropriate balance of providing an environment that fosters innovation while ensuring appropriate consumer protection. That is why I am proud to work with Representative McNerney on H.R. 3723. It includes parts of the Digital Taxonomy Act and all of the Blockchain Innovation Act. As many of you know, blockchain technology will be helpful in the ways we discussed already. First, H.R. 3639, the Blockchain Innovation Act, directs the Department of Commerce, in consultation with the FCC, to conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on the state of blockchain technology in commerce, including its use to reduce fraud and increase security. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Guthrie for cosponsoring and co- introducing this bill. This is a first step toward a long-term goal of setting up a Blockchain Center of Excellence in the Department of Commerce. In addition, the Digital Taxonomy Act requires a similar report from the FCC to report recommendations on deceptive practices, and the relationship between the FTC, FCC, and the CFTC. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Davidson for his cosponsorship. When we look at market volatility, the use of cryptocurrency for ransomware in recent attacks like the Colonial Pipeline and tax evasion, it is critical that we get in on the front end of this. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to work with Representative McNerney, and I urge support for H.R. 3723.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Ms. Althea Margaret Daily Mills is an unsung hero in the fight for desegregation in Florida. Ms. Mills began her education in Pughsville, Winter Haven's first Black community. When she was 13, she moved to Pennsylvania to live with her aunt. There, she was able to attend integrated schools. In 1963, Mills filed a lawsuit against the Polk County Board of Public Instruction to end the ``dual school system'' and allow her son to attend the then, all-white, Winter Haven High School. This lawsuit eventually led to the integration of all Polk County public schools. When asked about her motivation to challenge the system, Mills would later say ``Our instructors were just as good, but some of my son's textbooks would go to page 3 and then skip to page 35. You can't learn like that.'' Ms. Mills also was the first black career employee of the United States Postal Service in Winter Haven and eventually became manager of the Florence Villa Post Office. But as the first Black postal worker, her career was not easy. At one point, Ms. Mills was transferred to another post office, in an area known to be unwelcoming to Black people, in an effort to get her to quit. While the move was intimidating, she once recalled that her worst day was when a Black patron refused to buy stamps from her because she was Black. Although Ms. Mills passed away in 2008, her legacy lives on. C.A. Boswell, Jr., the longtime attorney for the Polk County School Board, said of his former opponent, ``She was a good lady and had the best interests of the kids at heart, it was a different time. It took some brave people to hold that thing (the lawsuit) up.'' The recognition of Ms. Althea Margaret Daily Mills is all the more special as we do it on June 17, 2021, on the first recognition of Juneteenth as a National Holiday. This Juneteenth is the 155th anniversary of the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. General Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas which announced the freedom of the last American slaves. General Order No. 3 The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages . . . By the reading of this order two-hundred and fifty thousand slaves were freed nearly two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. We thank Ms. Althea Margaret Daily Mills on this special day and appreciate her efforts to make our community a better place.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Sterling Blake. Hailing from Jamaica West Indies, Sterling C. Blake came to the great United States of America as a sugarcane farmworker. He has resided in Kissimmee, Florida, for most of his life, where he served as an assistant pastor at the Church of God in Christ for 24 years. Sterling then started a landscaping company in 1987, and the company grew tremendously. In 1994, Sterling Silver Scape & Sod, Inc., was nominated as the third largest African-American business in the central Florida area, and he was featured in the Orlando Business Journal that same year, and also in 2006. Sterling was also honored by the Orange County Minority Board department. Sterling served on the board of the Council on Aging for 10 years and is also the pastor of Restore the Path for Christ church located in Kissimmee, Florida. Sterling was also a member of the Tuskegee Airmen for over 10 years, and his commitment to the Tuskegee Airmen has afforded him the honor of a red jacket. Sterling has served his community well by feeding the poor, visiting the sick in the hospitals, and helping the needy. Sterling is known in his community as an upstanding and honest businessman. For this and more, Mr. Sterling Blake, we honor you. Honoring Grace Peek-Harris