Daniel Webster

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 331 I was unable to register my vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the University of Central Florida for winning their second national title at the 2015 National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NCCDC). Presented in partnership with Raytheon Company and organized by the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) at the University of Texas, the NCCDC held April 24-26 in San Antonio, Texas featured finalists from 10 regional competitions nationwide. The NCCDC, started in 2005 to increase interest in the cyber security field, was the first national cyber security competition designed to test how well college students operate and protect a corporate network infrastructure. Utilizing real world scenarios, students must secure and defend the network infrastructure and business information systems. In addition to scoring the highest in the competition and winning their second NCCDC Alamo Cup, the University of Central Florida team, on behalf of Raytheon, will be coming to Washington, D.C. this summer to visit some of our nation's premier national security sites. Again, congratulations to the University of Central Florida team for bringing home their second NCCDC national title and establishing the University of Central Florida as a leader in cyber security.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida as the town celebrates its 90th anniversary. Howey-in-the-Hills is a small town with deep roots in the Florida citrus industry. Howey-in-the-Hills' rich history began in 1916 with the purchase of 60,000 acres of land in Lake County by William John Howey. With a vision to build a citrus empire, Mr. Howey planted citrus on the majority of his land, and in 1921 he built Florida's first citrus plant. To serve as the commercial hub for the citrus industry, Mr. Howey founded Howey in 1925. A landscape with rolling hills and beautiful lakes, Mr. Howey nicknamed the area `the Florida Alps' and in 1927 he officially changed the name to Howey-in-the-Hills to better characterize the natural beauty of the community. Today, Howey-in-the Hills remains a beautiful, scenic small town. Situated on the picturesque shores of Little Lake Harris and dotted with many smaller bodies of water, the town has developed itself into a resort town with the acclaimed Mission Inn Resort and Club. Howey-in- the-Hills is truly a gem worth discovering in Central Florida. I congratulate Mayor Chris Sears, Mayor Pro-Tem John Ernest, Councilors Joseph Mabry, Ed Conroy, and David Nebel, and most of all, the people that live and work in Howey-in-the-Hills. It is truly an honor to serve the residents of Howey-in-the-Hills, and I thank them for their tremendous contributions to the Central Florida community.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I first met Bill Rufty nearly 30 years, when I was serving in the Florida House of Representatives. Our paths crossed often when I was Speaker of the House in Florida, and Bill always had an ear out for Polk County. Throughout his career, Bill has been a steady reporter who stuck to the facts, reporting information just as he saw it. In that way, Bill was old school, a dying breed of journalist. A few years ago, Bill was the first reporter to interview me when I began representing Polk County in Congress and opened an office inside the Winter Haven City Hall. Measured and accurate, Bill has been a friend and familiar face while covering both state and federal issues. It has been a pleasure to work with him for three decades in serving the best interests of Central Florida. I wish him the best.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Bay Street Players at the Historic State Theatre in Eustis, Florida. Construction on the Historic State Theatre began in 1916, and included one of the largest ``photo play'' pipe organs in the Southeast to accommodate the latest entertainment of ``moving pictures.'' Throughout the Great Depression, the Theatre also provided chorale and orchestral music programs to help lift the spirits of the community. By 1975, the building had become vacant and fallen into disrepair, but was rediscovered by local theatre enthusiasts. This group, composed of Deborah Carpenter, Dale Carpenter, Charlene Smith, Lou Tally, Mary Jane Mitenius, and Ed Mitenius became the founding members of the Bay Street Players, which has remained an active part of the community for the past forty years. It is my pleasure to join the Bay Street Players in commemorating their 40th anniversary and recognizing their founding members. It is truly an honor to serve the residents of Central Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize the 135th anniversary of Gethsemane Baptist Church of Eustis, and commend their strong heritage of service within Lake County, Florida. Founded in 1880, Gethsemane Baptist Church of Eustis was the first place of worship for African Americans in Eustis, and has served as a beacon of hope in our local community. Many lives have been impacted through the church's ministry, and I am honored to recognize their long history of dedication and service. This is a momentous year for Gethsemane Baptist Church of Eustis, and I am pleased to commemorate it with them. It is my pleasure to join Reverend William Hawkins and the congregation at Gethsemane Baptist Church of Eustis in celebrating this historical milestone. It is truly an honor to serve the residents of Central Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Lake Alfred, Florida as the city celebrates its 100th anniversary. Lake Alfred is a beautiful community situated among the many lakes of Central Florida. Lake Alfred's rich history began with its original settlement as a military outpost, called Fort Cummings, in 1839. In 1887, a railroad line connecting Sanford and Tampa was constructed through Lake Alfred and logging quickly became the community's primary industry. At the turn of the century, Frank C. Gardner of Fargo, North Dakota, sensibly seeking more clement weather in the Sunshine State, formed the Florida Fruitlands Company, purchasing vast tracts of land and planting citrus groves. In the subsequent years, the community underwent several name changes before finally choosing Lake Alfred, one of the most scenic lakes in the community. Lake Alfred has continued to grow as one of the most vibrant cities in Central Florida. It is an honor to represent the residents of Lake Alfred, and I am excited to join them in celebrating this historical milestone.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to a dedicated staffer in the office of the Tenth Congressional District of Florida. Scott Johnson will soon be moving on to new opportunities at the House Committee on the Judiciary. Scott has done a wonderful job serving the people of Florida's Tenth District since he joined my staff in October 2013. As the face of my DC front office, he has welcomed visitors to my office and to the People's House, and demonstrated the responsiveness to the needs and concerns of the people of Florida's Tenth District that this institution was formulated to reflect. Scott is enthusiastic, hardworking, and dedicated to service. He has been a valuable asset to the people of Florida. While I am sad to see Scott leave, I am grateful for his service. He will be truly missed in the office. I wish him success and fulfillment in his new position, knowing that his character and talents will assure him both, in this and any new adventure he chooses.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven, Florida as they celebrate their 80th anniversary on April 6, 2015. With the assistance of the Bartow and Lake Wales Clubs, the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven was chartered on April 6, 1935. Since its founding, the Club has provided educational, community-building and recreational opportunities for Central Florida's youth. In 1942, Camp Kegan was established on the shore of Lake Josephine. Over the years, Camp Kegan has been a destination for Scouts, youth programs and underprivileged children. The Club also established a recreation center on Lake Maude, which has since been deeded to the city. In the spirit of providing educational opportunities for our community's students, the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven supports a Student Loan Fund and the Southern Scholarship Foundation of Tallahassee to help make college more affordable. The Club's members also coach little league teams, partner with children in foster care, promote youth agricultural projects and support Key Clubs in local high schools. I am thankful for the Kiwanis members of Winter Haven for their tremendous contributions to our community. The future of our nation is in the hands of our youth, and the Kiwanis members' investment in them cannot be over appreciated.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to recognize the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis International. Annually, Kiwanis clubs in 80 countries raise more than $100 million and dedicate more than 18 million volunteer hours to strengthen communities and serve children. Meeting the needs of children has always been one of Kiwanis members' foremost priorities. Under their new motto, ``Serving the Children of the World,'' Kiwanis members have helped to establish programs that ensure the health and education of young children. In Central Florida, Kiwanis members generously give their time and resources to provide scholarships and community-building opportunities for local students, as well as care for the underprivileged. Kiwanis members' commitment to serving their neighbors and the self- sacrifice that entails represents what is good and noble in our nation. There are children and others whose lives have been permanently impacted for good by the work of Kiwanis members. I am truly grateful for the Kiwanis Club members of Central Florida. Our community is stronger, and the future of our youth is brighter because of their service.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Rotary International, one of the world's largest non-profit humanitarian service organizations, for its 110 years of service. The Rotary motto, ``Service Above Self,'' inspires members to serve their communities, maintain high ethical standards and promote goodwill and peace. Rotary clubs are active in meeting the needs of their local communities, using funds and volunteer members to provide medical supplies, clean water, food, job training and education to millions in need. In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus in partnership with the World Health Organization, U.S. Center for Disease Control and UNICEF with the goal of immunizing children across the globe against polio. The campaign has been tremendously successful; polio cases have decreased by 99 percent since 1988, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease. It is my pleasure to recognize the Rotary clubs of Central Florida as they prepare for ``Light Up Rotary to End Polio Now'' on March 13- 14, 2015, with Rotary International President Gary C. K. Huang. I am grateful to the Rotarians of Central Florida for their service and dedication to strengthening our community.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Pine Castle, Florida. Pine Castle's rich history begins in the years immediately following the Civil War. Originally, Pine Castle was a private residence erected by Will Harney, a poet and settler from Kentucky. He built his home from the abundant pines of Central Florida and dubbed it his ``pine castle.'' Soon, the areas of modern-day Edgewood, Belle Isle and the Conway chain of lakes came to be known as ``Pine Castle.'' In 1915, the Town of Pine Castle was formally incorporated. I join the residents of Pine Castle in celebrating this historical milestone. It is truly an honor to serve the residents of Pine Castle in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Orlando Regional Medical Center's Air Care Team as they celebrate 30 years of critical-care service. Since 1984, the helicopter transport team has flown nearly two million rescue miles and transported more than 29,000 patients to Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) and other Central Florida medical facilities. The elite crew's service area encompasses a 100- mile radius that includes Orange, Lake, and Polk counties. Highly trained and experienced medical personnel, communications specialists, pilots and mechanics comprise the team that provides emergency medical care on the scene and in flight. The commitment and expertise that the team brings to Central Florida truly saves lives, reaching patients within the critical first hour of injury. I thank the Air Care Team for their extraordinary work in providing care for the people of Central Florida.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Lighthouse Works, Inc. for being selected to receive the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) Business Alliance Award for Outstanding Ability-One Program Vendor. As a support agency of the Department of Defense, DLA provides military, federal agencies and joint allied forces with a variety of logistics, acquisition and technical services. The Business Alliance Award recognizes businesses that have made exceptional efforts in partnering with DLA to provide supplies and services to America's defense forces. Lighthouse Works, Inc. provides material components for the Army's Combat Life Saver Kit and other medical kits. The professionals at Lighthouse Works ensure medical material component shipments are of the highest quality, that they meet all required specifications and that shipments are delivered in a timely manner. The company is well-known for its flexibility and willingness to support the military's dynamic needs. It is an honor to recognize Lighthouse Works, Inc. for their support of our nation's military and for their contributions to the Central Florida community.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Superintendent Barbara Jenkins and the teachers and staff of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) for being chosen as a co-winner of the Broad Prize for Urban Education. This year, OCPS will be awarded $500,000 to provide college scholarships to high-achieving, low-income high school seniors. OCPS students have made remarkable gains in recent years. Among them, the Broad Foundation cites narrowed income and minority achievement gaps, improved college-readiness and academic improvements among low-income middle school students. Educating America's youth is an investment in our nation's future, and it is imperative that all students have access to quality education. By equipping our students with the tools needed to become successful employers and employees, we fuel technological innovation, wealth creation, and economic growth. Again, congratulations to Orange County Public Schools for being chosen as a winner of the 2014 Broad Prize. I sincerely appreciate their leadership and dedication to educating the students of Central Florida.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to recognize Ms. Helen Cisney as she celebrates her 100th birthday on November 22, 2014. Ms. Cisney was born in Hammond, Indiana in 1914. She married Irvin Cisney, and together they owned a diner in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During World War II, Ms. Cisney worked on the assembly line at General Motors. Upon retirement, Mr. & Mrs. Cisney moved to Zephyrhills, Florida where they lived for thirty years. Today, Ms. Cisney lives in Fruitland Park where she attends Sunday services at Faith Bible Baptist Church and plays dominoes on Tuesday evenings at First Baptist Church of Leesburg. Ms. Cisney is a talented bowler and has won many trophies over the years. She is also a breast cancer survivor and was named Grand Marshall of the Lake County Cancer Walk in 2005. Ms. Cisney has two daughters, eight grandchildren, six great- grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. I wish her a very happy 100th birthday and all the best to her and her family.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Ms. Coretha Mack of Clermont, Florida as she celebrates her 90th birthday on November 14, 2014. Ms. Mack was born in Orlando where she spent her childhood and graduated from Jones High School in 1946. She then moved to Hartford, Connecticut where she lived and worked for more than 50 years. In Hartford, she was a member of Faith Congregational Church and served on the church's Diaconate Board and Board of Trustees. Ms. Mack returned to Florida in 2002 and has been an active member of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. Her faith and dedication to service have been an inspiration to others, and she continues to cherish her relationships with God, her family and her friends. I wish Ms. Mack a very happy birthday, and all the best in the future.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to recognize Heart of Florida United Way as they celebrate 75 years of service in Central Florida. Heart of Florida United Way is the largest provider of funds to nonprofit agencies in Central Florida. These agencies provide critical services including job training, financial literacy classes, healthcare and educational opportunities. This year, Heart of Florida United Way committed more than $9.2 million in funding over three years to nonprofit partner agencies in Central Florida. Additionally, Heart of Florida United Way provides direct services that aid the homeless, connect individuals with volunteer opportunities and ensure accessibility of lifesaving medications. Their dedicated work to engage many aspects of the community has undoubtedly made Central Florida a better place to live and work. I thank Heart of Florida United Way for their dedicated work, and I congratulate them on 75 years of remarkable contributions to our community.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the soldiers of the National Guard Armory in Leesburg, Florida. Alpha Company of the Leesburg National Guard Armory has bravely served both on American soil and overseas. In March 2005, soldiers of the 124th Infantry Regiment were deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After conducting missions in Oman and Pakistan in 2008, Alpha Company deployed to Kuwait and conducted missions throughout Iraq, assisting the transition from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn. In Florida, Alpha Company has provided critical support in times of natural disaster. In 2004, service men and women aided victims of hurricanes that caused catastrophic damage around the state. Alpha Company also assisted Central Florida residents in 2007 when a series of tornadoes damaged thousands of homes and claimed several lives. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the soldiers of Alpha Company for their brave and selfless service in Central Florida and abroad. It is an honor to recognize them and all men and women in the United States' armed forces.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the Umatilla Woman's Club, a member organization of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The Umatilla Woman's Club was founded in 1920 by a group of civic- minded women who established the first library in Umatilla. The group first organized informally, but recognizing the need for formal organization to better promote civic events, the Umatilla Woman's Club became one of the original twelve Woman's Clubs. The General Federation of Women's Clubs acts as a unifying force, bringing women together to strengthen their local communities through volunteer service. There are over 100,000 members worldwide who inspire change by supporting the arts, advancing education, encouraging civic involvement and promoting cooperation. I thank the Umatilla Woman's Club for their ongoing commitment to bettering our Central Florida community. Their philanthropy and spirit of volunteerism is an inspiration to us all.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the Camaraderie Foundation, a Central Florida nonprofit organization that offers counseling, emotional support and spiritual guidance for military service members, veterans and their families. The Camaraderie Foundation was founded in 2009 by Captain Michael Waldrop and his wife, Marnie. Following Capt. Waldrop's deployment to Afghanistan, the Waldrops sought counseling and found it to be vital to the wellbeing of their marriage and reintegration into the community. Capt. Waldrop noticed that stigma associated with counseling often dissuaded military members from benefitting from it. Believing that private counseling and spiritual community can alleviate post- deployment issues, the Waldrops started the Camaraderie Foundation to serve the military community. The Camaraderie Foundation provides counseling scholarships to military service members and their families, community-building programs that create support networks before and after deployment, and a mentorship program that assists military members with their transitions back into civilian life. According to the Camaraderie Foundation, 84,803 service members have been deployed from Central Florida since September 11, 2001. To these men and women, we owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. I thank them for their service, and I commend the Camaraderie Foundation for their extraordinary leadership and dedication to serving our nation's military.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 435, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Visit Orlando, the official tourism organization for the Orlando area, on its 30 years of service to our community. Visit Orlando stands alongside Orange County and its member organizations to represent the Central Florida Hospitality Community and our area's leading industry, which is responsible for an economic impact of more than $54 billion annually. Since July 1984, Visit Orlando has worked with local organizations and assisted greatly in the marketing and advertising endeavors of its member organizations. Serving as the largest tourism organization in the world, Visit Orlando focuses on maintaining the health of our tourism environment by globally marketing the area as a premier leisure, convention and business destination. Their partnership with Orange County and member companies has played a prominent role in making Orlando a great place to visit and to live. It is a privilege to recognize Visit Orlando, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank this organization for its commitment to Central Florida and our hospitality industry.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Arnold Palmer Medical Center in Orlando, Florida has, once again, been recognized as one of the best children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Arnold Palmer Medical Center, comprised of Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, was ranked by U.S. News & World Report in eight different specialties this year--the most they have ever received. In 2007, U.S. News introduced the Best Children's Hospitals rankings in order to help families find the best medical care available for their children. These rankings include detailed information about the hospitals' performance and their reputation in the pediatric community. Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is a world-class facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of children. The hospital provides expertise in pediatric specialties and is known for its excellence in cardiac care, neurology, orthopedics and sports medicine. Adjacently, the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies is a 285- bed facility dedicated to the care of women and babies. It is a national leader in neonatal intensive care and is highly regarded for providing comprehensive healthcare for women throughout all stages of life. Both of these institutions are Magnet-designated for their commitment to quality patient care, safety, research, and service excellence. Arnold Palmer Medical Center attributes its many accolades to the high level of care its medical team provides every day. I take comfort in knowing that the women and children of Central Florida have access to the nation's best care close to home. It is my distinct pleasure to recognize Arnold Palmer Medical Center for their dedication to the Central Florida community.

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida

Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 669 and ask for its immediate consideration.