Darren Soto

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1169 calling for a free and fair election in Bangladesh. My district is home to a large population of Bangladeshi ex-pats, and I've heard from them about the need for a free, fair, transparent, and credible election. During the 2014 general election, major Bangladeshi political parties boycotted the election due to concerns about the impartiality of the electoral process. Historically, Bangladesh would install a caretaker government during elections to ensure free, fair, transparent, and credible elections. However, during the 2014 election, that didn't happen. Since then, there have been political rivalries that have devolved into violent clashes. All parties should be free to participate in the political process. They should be free to express their political views, campaign and hold peaceful rallies and meetings, and not fear physical retribution for exercising a fundamental human right to participate in the democratic electoral process. I believe that free, fair, transparent, and credible elections are the cornerstone of democracy. As Bangladesh is scheduled to hold general elections at the end of the month, I urge everyone to participate in the democratic process, and vote. I'm a proud co-sponsor of this resolution and urge my colleagues support as well.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, it has been a long road, but it looks like we are bringing it in for a landing, and America is thankful for a farm bill that we can all be proud of. That includes central Florida. We saw huge issues included to help out our orange growers in central Florida facing citrus greening, which is really hurting our local growers and hurting that iconic orange juice coming from Florida. We saw the inclusion of the National Animal Health Vaccine Bank, which helps out ranchers both in central Florida and throughout the United States. We saw a SNAP program that will continue to help out needy families. We saw prioritizing conservation, which is a win for both farmers and conservationists alike in an ever more crowded Florida. We also saw four bills that we crafted and put forward included, and I thank the gentleman from Texas and the gentleman from Minnesota for their help with that. The veterans with disabilities language that provides technical training, that was something that I got an idea of when I was out in Midland speaking to one of the gentleman from Texas' constituents. The bill that allowed for authorization of agricultural research between the United States and Israel is a program that needed a long time to be authorized, and we are excited to have it. Algae-based research to look at biofuels is helpful. And just to conclude, we are also developing high-tech sensors in central Florida for agriculture. I thank all of the people on the committee for their good work.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Betsy Franceschini as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Betsy Franceschini has a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling, from the Catholic University of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Since her arrival to Florida in 1985, her efforts have been focused on serving the community in the areas of cultural awareness, civic engagement, Hispanic community empowerment, advocating on issues to increase the quality of life of Latinos in the State and Nationally. Mrs. Franceschini is currently the Senior Director of Florida and Southeast Programs and Policy for Hispanic Federation. Betsy has successfully developed and implemented HF community programs to uplift Hispanic families locally, promoting public policy advocacy and implementing innovative community programs. She has been recognized for her work in the areas of Disaster relief and support for Hurricane Maria evacuees, civic engagement, community service, and advocacy on issues that impact Hispanics. Previously, she held the position of Florida Director for the office of Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, representing the Government of Puerto Rico and the million Puerto Rican residing in the State. She successfully developed partnership with 43 community organizations, agencies and entities to expand services to the community. One of her major accomplishment was being elected as one of the Top National Latino Leaders to meet with President Obama to discuss Hispanic issues. She has received multiple awards and recognitions. Among others: Mujer Destacada y Truinfadora in 2015, Hispanos Que Hacen La Diferencia from Telemundo, Congressional Recognition for Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community, Top 25 Most Influential Hispanics in Central Florida--Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Businesswomen of the Year in 2001. Over thirty years of dedication and commitment has earned her a high level of respect, support and admiration from the community for her demonstrated leadership and public service in the State of Florida.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Roxana de la Riva as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Roxana de la Riva is a Mexican-American journalist covering information about Hispanic Community in Central Florida. She has over 18 years of experience in Hispanic journalism and professional writing. Recently, de la Riva returned to La Prensa, the oldest Hispanic Media in Central Florida, the outlet when she started her journalism career in the United States. De la Riva was recently a volunteer in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, with CASA as Coordinator of Support Solidarity and Help, where she assisted distributing donation items and covering stories of the efforts. She is also a past member of AIPEH (The International Association of Hispanic Arts and Culture) a group of artists, poets and writers from Central Florida. De la Riva was a vocational training mentor in journalism for youth female students, whose parents are immigrants and part of the Hope Community Center. Although a reporter educated in traditional journalism, she has now adapted to the new way of mass communication and used her platform to reach a new audience through social media platforms. De la Riva was a freelance writer with El Sentinel for 7 years, where she wrote for the website El Sentinel.com as well as the print edition. During her time at El Sentinel, she covered and researched a wide range of issues and assignments pertaining to the Central Florida community. Prior to this experience of that she covered Breaking News for El Sol de la Florida. Most notably, she focused on the case of George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin. Educated in Mexico City School of Journalism Carlos Septien Garcia, the first Mexican educational institution of journalism, de la Riva arrived in the United States in 2002 and has since made Central Florida home.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Major Jacob Ruiz as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Major Jacob Ruiz raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and moved to the mainland U.S. at 12 years old. He is a former Marine, who began his law enforcement career in 1999 with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department in Massachusetts. He later relocated to South Florida where he worked for the Broward Sheriff's Office and then as a Police Officer with the Lauderhill Police Department. In 2003, Major Ruiz relocated to Central Florida where he began his career with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. Major Ruiz has worked as a Patrol Deputy, School Resource Officer, Persons Crimes detective and SWAT team operator. Major Ruiz attained the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and in 2017, he was promoted to Captain by Sheriff Russell Gibson and later that year to Major. Major Ruiz oversees the administration of the School Safety Division, Court Services Division and is the director of Media and Public Relations for the sheriff's office. He is the father of four children; Sara, Jaylin, Ellie and Jacob Jr. and they are his proudest and most important part of his life. Major Ruiz holds degrees in Homeland Security, History and currently attends Rollins College's Executive MBA program. He is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute's Command Officers Development Course from the University of Louisville and a board member of the Osceola Hispanic Business Council and the Osceola Boys and Girls Club. Major Ruiz has been instrumental in uniting and engaging the community with their local sheriff's office. Major Ruiz works to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the Hispanic Community that may exist from time to time, through communication, education and community service, in efforts of reinforcing the greatness of our Central FL Community. Major Ruiz is intentional in celebrating inclusion and diversity throughout our community and does this while also being committed to public service.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Nancy Batista as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Nancy Batista is a Guatemalan immigrant who came to the U.S. at a very young age. She is the Florida State Director of Mi Familia Vota. Nancy was raised in a single parent home, she understands the sacrifices her mother had to make as she worked three shifts in different factories to sustain the family. Growing up, her family experienced many hurdles due to their immigration status. Now she uses those experiences as a driver. Nancy is a wife and mother of two kids, Anthony and Natalie; they are her biggest inspiration. She obtained her Master's degree in Business Administration dual concentration in Human Resources and Project management with a scholarship from Herzing University and her Bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida. She is thrilled to be a part of the Mi Familia Vota team. She hopes to be an advocate and voice for those who are oppressed. Under her leadership as Florida State Director, she has led her team to register over 27,000 people to vote this year alone and they are working hard to register 30,000 people by October 9th. Mi Familia Vota is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, it is their mission to build Latino political power. This year, Mi Familia Vota partnered with the League of Woman Voters to help translate a Voter Guide for Orange county. Nancy is focused on partnering with other organizations that share the same values and agendas to help promote unity in our communities. She believes that our communities will greatly benefit from being continuously involved in our government and election processes and she ensures that Mi Familia Vota will be supportive through civic engagement participation.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Dr. Edwin DeJesus as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Dr. DeJesus is a graduate from the University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, and completed his Internal Medicine training and Infectious Disease fellowship at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is board certified in Infectious Diseases and holds a faculty appointment at the University of Central Florida, School of Medicine in Orlando, Florida. He has been practicing medicine for over 25 years in Central Florida where he implemented one of the most successful clinical trials research centers in the country, investigating therapeutic approach for many chronic viral infections, including some of the innovative treatments we have today to fully control and prevent the spread of HIV infection, and the cure for HCV. He is an active member of multiple medical organizations and has served as a National Board of Directors. Through his research, he is now one of the most recognized figures worldwide in HIV research and treatment. He has presented in multiple international forums and has accumulated an impressive bibliography with publications in many major medical clinical journals. Locally, Dr. DeJesus has made prevention and treatment readily accessible by maximizing the use of available resources, and by creating programs such as Free Anonymous HIV Testing and supervising the care for non-profit organizations caring for under-privileged population. In addition, DeJesus has remained highly active in the Florida HIV Hispanic Community where he has implemented and supported educational, preventative, and research programs. In 2014 he was named one of the 25 most influential Hispanic persons in Central Florida by the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Since 2010, he has been recognized by his peers as one of Orlando's Top Doctors and featured in Orlando Magazine for the past 7 years.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Kira Romero-Craft as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Kira Romero-Craft is the Managing Attorney of the Southeastern Regional office of LatinoJustice PRLDEF. Kira leads a team of attorneys and advocates focused on immigrants' rights, voting rights, economic justice and criminal justice reform. Kira began her legal career as an Equal Justice Works fellow for the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association in Orlando, Florida where she focused on representation of undocumented immigrant children in juvenile and immigration court. Prior to joining LatinoJustice, she was the program director for the children's legal program at Americans for Immigrant Justice where she led a team of lawyers representing immigrant children in dependency and removal proceedings. Kira is also the current co-chair of the advocacy committee for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Central Florida Chapter. She is a graduate of Rollins College and Florida State University, College of Law.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Gonzalo Gutierrez Lemus as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Gonzalo Gutierrez Lemus is a first-generation Mexican-American student with big dreams. While a student at Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, he founded and became president of the high school's Key Club. He also held leadership roles in Student Government, was a National Honor Society member, a Health Occupation Students of America national finalist and a Silver Garland nominee. He became the Honors Program Student Council President, where he mentored freshmen students and tirelessly advocated for Polk State College students and the greater Polk County community. Gutierrez was one of 273 chosen National Newman Civic Fellows a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education. Gutierrez recently received the Florida College System Student Government Association President of the year award, which is given to one president in the Florida College System who has exhibited distinguished service to his or her campus and community by providing support, opportunities, and leadership. He received the Polk State College Exceptional Leaders with Innovative Talents and Excellence Leadership Legacy Scholarship award and was recently elected to serve as the Vice President of the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven. He serves on the Public Education Partnership Board of Directors, is an Adult Advisor for Haines City's Emerging Youth Advisory Council, a member of the Keen Focus Group of Lakeland, a group dedicated to the professional development of young professionals through civic engagement in the community. Gutierrez is a mentor for Polk County Public School Board Take Stock in Children, is on the Student Advisory Council for Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School and is Polk State Colleges Honors Program Coordinator. Gutierrez Lemus completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree, with a concentration in Business Administration and plans to attend Florida Atlantic University for his Masters in Higher Education Leadership.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Dr. Fernando I. Rivera as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Dr. Fernando I. Rivera is an Associate Professor of Sociology, Interim Assistant Vice-Provost for Faculty Excellence, and Director of the Puerto Rico Research Hub at the University of Central Florida. His research interests and activities are in the sociology of health/ medical sociology, disasters, and race and ethnicity. His published work has investigated how different mechanisms are related to certain health and mental health outcomes with a particular emphasis on Latino populations. Dr. Rivera's disaster research has explored the investigation of factors associated with disaster resilience and restoration and resilience in coupled human-natural systems. Other publications have investigated the Puerto Rican diaspora in Florida. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his B.A. degree in sociology from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. He also completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored post-doctoral fellowship at the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research at Rutgers University.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Fernando Miguel Negron Rodriguez, as a distinguished leader in Central Florida for Hispanic Heritage Month. Fernando Miguel Negron Rodriguez, was born and raised in the town of Cayey, Puerto Rico. He is the father of Fernando M. Negron Santos and Karina Isabella Negron Santos. He is the son of the legendary TV personality and radio Icon, Miguel Angel Negron. As one of the most popular radio hosts in the Hispanic community in Central Florida. To say that through his veins runs radio, it's an understatement. For the last 20 years, he has been the host to Quedate con Miguel Radio, he is known to many as a great communicator but also as someone very passionate about the Hispanic community and educating voters in our region. Fernando M. Negron has become an influential and respected personality in local politics as well as national politics. Every day he uses his experience to shine light at problems that affect the Hispanic diaspora in Central and South Florida.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the Joint Explanatory Statement to the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2019, and Senate Report 115-290 which provide an additional $30 million in funding for Defense- Wide Manufacturing Science and Technology Program's Advanced Manufacturing within the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide Account. These funds will allow the Department of Defense to establish a Microelectronics Cybersecurity Center. Microelectronics support nearly all Department of Defense activities, enabling capabilities such as the global positioning system, radar, command and control, and communications. Ensuring secure access to leading-edge microelectronics, however, is a challenge. The changing global semiconductor industry and the sophistication of U.S. adversaries, who might target military electronic components, require us to update our domestic microelectronics security framework. Defense-Wide Manufacturing Science and Technology is an investment mechanism that allows the Department of Defense to advance state-of- the-art, defense-essential, manufacturing capabilities through the development of technologies and processes necessary to produce defense systems. This funding increase will allow the United States to achieve a rapid modernization of domestic state-of-the-art foundry operations, through the use of not-for-profit public-private-partnerships, to produce trusted microelectronics. I support rapid modernization of domestic state-of-the-art foundry operations that produce trusted microelectronics and thank the conference committee for all their work on the issue.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, today, we honor Mr. Alex Barrio, the District Director of Florida's Ninth Congressional District. Alex is a dedicated public servant who has committed his life to the betterment of others. For over a decade, Alex has been at the forefront of fighting for Florida's constituents and the injustices they face. As District Director, Alex has continuously found ways to advocate for Florida's most vulnerable communities. After the Trump administration implemented the ``Muslim ban'' barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, Alex immediately went to the Orlando International Airport to defend the rights of Central Florida's Muslim community and ensure their safe return to Florida. In late September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed areas of Puerto Rico, forcing tens of thousands of families to flee the island and move to Florida's Ninth Congressional District. Without hesitation, Alex united local community leaders to provide the necessary support for the victims of these natural disasters. For over a year, Alex has led the charge to guarantee that recent arrivals from Puerto Rico had the resources they needed to find affordable housing, helping thousands easily transition into the Central Florida community. In April 2018, the Trump administration launched a ``zero tolerance'' policy on America's southwest border causing thousands of children to be separated from their parents. In the face of this devastating impact on families, Alex's persistence prevailed when he demanded answers from the Department of Health and Human Services and successfully urged them to comply with a federal judge's order to reunify these children with their parents. Alex has proven time and again that he will not hesitate to fight for what is right. His hard work and dedication are a testament to his values and commitment to improving the lives of others. I thank Alex for his continued service to Florida's Ninth Congressional District.

Mr. SOTO

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

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, my amendment would increase funding for the IRS's identity theft and refund fraud casework by $500,000. For this amendment, we are not taking the $500,000 from any account. Rather, there is a $2.4 billion account for Taxpayer Services, and this simply adds to the carveout from that total for the Taxpayer Advocate Services identity theft and refund fraud casework. This amendment will restore funding to this program at the level that passed the Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. Last year, there were 597,000 tax returns with confirmed identity theft, resulting in $6 billion in taxpayer refunds being affected. Identity theft can be frustrating and confusing to victims. While identity thieves steal information from sources outside the tax system, the IRS is often the first to inform a victim that their identity has been stolen. The IRS is working hard to resolve identity theft cases as quickly as possible and has made considerable progress at closing backlogs; however, more work remains. Fighting identity theft is an ongoing battle, as identity thieves continue to create new ways of stealing personal information and using it for their gain. Identity theft cases are among the most complex handled by the IRS. The IRS is continually reviewing processes and policies to minimize instances of identity theft and to help those who find themselves victimized. We, as a Congress, should be giving the IRS the resources necessary to close backlogs and help our constituents as expeditiously as possible. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment; I thank the chairman for his support; and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, my amendment would increase funding for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program by $1 million. For this amendment, we are not taking the $1 million from any other account. Rather, there is a $2.4 billion account for taxpayer services, and this simply adds to the carveout from that total for Tax Counseling for the Elderly. This amendment is identical to an amendment I offered last year that passed this body by a voice vote, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment again this year. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program offers free tax help for individuals who are aged 60 or older. Cooperative grant agreements are entered into between the IRS and eligible organizations to provide tax assistance to elderly taxpayers. These funds provided by the IRS are used by organizations to reimburse volunteers for their out-of-pocket expenses, including transportation, meals, and other expenses incurred by them in providing tax counseling assistance at locations convenient to the taxpayer. This amendment will restore funding to this program at the level that passed both the House last year and the Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment; I thank the chairman for his support; and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Chair, my amendment would move $500,000 from the United States Fish and Wildlife general administration account to the National Wildlife Refuge program specifically for the wildlife and habitat management of invasive species. This amendment is identical to an amendment I offered last year that passed this body by a voice vote, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment again this year. Invasive species threaten native plant and animal species and their vital habitats. Currently, invasive species are the most frequently mentioned threat within the National Wildlife Refuge System Threats and Conflicts database and are a growing risk to our ecosystems. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the only agency in the United States Government with the primary responsibility of the conservation of our Nation's fish, wildlife, and plants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages more than 561 refuges encompassing more than 150 million acres of habitat within the National Wildlife Refuge System. As of 2013, more than 2.4 million acres of the refuge system are impacted by invasive plants, including Lake Hatchineha in my home district in central Florida with approximately 1,715 invasive animal populations residing on the refuge lands. It is important we provide enough funds to enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to combat and reduce the harmful impact of invasive species. Again, this amendment would increase funds to combat invasive species that threaten native species in their vital habitat. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. SOTO. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would increase funding for the National Estuary Program and Coastal Waterways Program by $468,000. It does so by removing and then reapplying $468,000 within the $2.4 billion appropriation for the Environmental Programs and Management Account within the Environmental Protection Agency. This amendment is identical to an amendment I offered last year that passed this body by a voice vote, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment again this year. Currently, the House Report accompanying this bill calls for a funding level of $26,723,000. This amendment will restore funding to the level that passed the House for the last 2 years. This amendment is intended to increase funding for the National Estuary Program that protects and restores water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance. Currently, 20 estuaries located along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Coasts and Puerto Rico are designated as estuaries of national significance. Four of these estuaries are in my home State of Florida. This program is efficient at leveraging funds to increase estuaries' ability to restore and protect ecosystems. The National Estuary Program has obtained more than $10 for every $1 provided by EPA, generating nearly $4 billion for on-the-ground efforts since 2003. This amendment will result in a real return on investment for the American people. With more than half the U.S. population living within 100 miles of the coast, including the shores of estuaries, this amendment will result in an enhanced quality of life for those living along the coast, while maintaining a healthy ecosystem that supports endangered and threatened species. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, on behalf of our central Florida community, I am proud to recognize the Orange County Library System for being the recipient of the Nation's 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Orange County Library System was selected from 29 national finalists to receive this prestigious medal. This is the highest honor given to libraries that make exceptional contributions to their communities through dynamic programming and services. It is a tremendous win for our community. Orange County Library is bringing positive change to central Florida, and they are specifically being recognized for their work providing access to STEM education for children living in underserved communities, providing ESOL classes for adults and families, and their commitment to providing access to high-quality educational tools for children in Orange County's public school system. I would like to recognize Mary Anne Hodel, Orange County Library System Library director and CEO, and Lisa Franchina, president of the library board of trustees, for their leadership and inspirational work; Erin Sullivan, Orange County Library System's public relations administrator, for taking the initiative of recognizing the great work of OCLS; and all the dedicated staff and volunteers of the library for their work in helping residents of central Florida to foster personal growth and development.

Mr. SOTO

Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, the first Hispanic woman to serve in Florida state's House or Senate--went on to become the first Latina in Congress and rose to be the first woman to chair the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. She's inspired many of us to follow her public service example. For over three decades she's been a champion for the LGBTQ community, a critical voice in promoting democracy in Cuba and Venezuela, a leader in advancing the well-being of the Hispanic Community, and a tireless human rights advocate across the globe. I've been proud to work with Rep. Ros-Lehtinen on initiatives like: