[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5721-H5722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING ANA SOTORRIO ON RETIRING AS ASSOCIATE AVIATION DIRECTOR 
                         FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an 
outstanding constituent and a dedicated public servant, Ana Sotorrio, 
who will be retiring after 30 years of public service.
  As the associate aviation director for Miami-Dade County, Ana has 
worked tirelessly to ensure that Miami International Airport remains 
one of the finest airports in the world.
  As a recipient of the International Women in Business award, Ana must 
be commended for receiving this distinguished and prestigious award 
last year. Her exceptional leadership in promoting and enhancing trade 
and international business between Miami International Airport and the 
Americas is truly inspiring.
  In addition, Ana's advocacy on Capitol Hill helped Miami 
International Airport become the Nation's number one international 
cargo airport and the number two international passenger airport.
  Ana, enjoy your well-deserved retirement and your extra time with 
family and friends.
  Mr. Speaker, speaking of wonderful people who deserve our 
congratulations, I would like to recognize all of the caring teachers 
in my South Florida community and commend them for their wonderful 
contributions to the development of our children.
  As a woman who has been on all sides of our education system, as a 
student, as a former Florida certified teacher, as a recipient of a 
doctorate from the University of Miami in education, and as a proud 
parent and grandmother, I truly know how instrumental and exceptional a 
teacher can be.
  Teachers have the power to intrigue and open whole new horizons and 
vistas for our youth, setting them on a positive path with high hopes 
and expectations for the future. A teacher can inspire a child in a 
specific subject matter such as math, science, art, or history, and 
fundamentally alter, often focusing, their enthusiasm. And there are 
few greater rewards than the satisfaction gained from instilling a 
lifelong love of learning in a child.
  Fulfilling this great responsibility takes a tremendous degree of 
perseverance and commitment from our teachers. Our educators' 
unwavering dedication gives our students the ambition to achieve one of 
the most important aspects of life's endeavors: love of learning. These 
teachers are driven to present each and every child with the 
opportunities that they so rightfully deserve.
  Certainly South Florida and the Keys, areas that I represent, are 
fortunate to have many outstanding educators such as the ones that I 
have described. Educators who are willing to do everything possible to 
ensure that our students are the best in our great Nation. Their 
commitment to our community and to our students is exemplary, and we 
are forever grateful for their services.
  It was our teachers many years ago who gave us, the legislators, the 
foundations and the directions that we needed to get ahead. Each person 
in this great elected body is testimony to the talent and commitment of 
their hardworking teachers along the way. I am certainly grateful for 
the support I received while in school, and I'm sure that I would not 
be the same person without it. And I will forever be a product of the 
Florida public education system.
  I graduated from West Miami Middle School, Southwest Miami Senior 
High School. I have an associate of arts degree from Miami-Dade 
College, a master's and a bachelor's degree from Florida International 
University in education--all public institutions.
  As an older adult, as I mentioned, I completed a doctorate in 
education from the University of Miami. But even if I had finished my 
education at the high school level, other than family, there has been 
no greater influence on who all of us are than our teachers.
  Through the mentoring of our teachers, students are provided with 
near limitless potential and possibilities. Teachers make sure that 
children can be creative with their minds. They get their minds on a 
task. And this education will allow them to accomplish the many great 
things that they want

[[Page H5722]]

to achieve throughout their lifetimes. This continues to be my guiding 
principle, inspired in me by my many great teachers, allowing me to 
work tirelessly for my community. Today's students will undoubtedly be 
inspired to even greater heights with unwavering commitment to 
bettering our community and our country.
  For the professionalism and care that our teachers have shown in the 
pursuit of this most noble of professions, I thank each of them from 
the bottom of my heart. They have shaped the lives of countless 
students, and we are truly privileged to have such wonderful 
individuals taking on this great challenge.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I will submit in the Congressional Record 
the names of the teachers who have received awards for excellence in 
education throughout South Florida and the Florida Keys in this past 
school year.

       From Centennial Middle School: Frederic Gabriel, Teacher of 
     the Year.
       From Citrus Grove Elementary School: Edward Slater, Teacher 
     of the Year; Jonny Junes, Rookie Teacher of the Year.
       From Coconut Grove Elementary School: Emely Yanes, Teacher 
     of the Year.
       From Coral Shores High: Nancy Ellsworth, District Teacher 
     of the Year.
       From Excelsior Language Academy: Ms. Reagan Weissenberg, 
     Teacher of the Year.
       From Fairlawn Elementary Community School: Ileana Estrella, 
     Teacher of the Year.
       From Gerald Adams Elementary: Gloria Pascual, Teacher of 
     the Year; Michael Sommer, Inclusion Teacher of the Year.
       From Glynn Archer Elementary: Terri Sims, Inclusion Teacher 
     of the Year; Lottie Edwards, Teacher of the Year; Jalynn 
     Frazier, Beginning Teacher of the Year.
       From Horace O'Bryant Middle School: Christina Beza, 
     Beginning Teacher of the Year; Kristen Condella, Inclusion 
     Teacher of the Year; Stephanie Manaher, Teacher of the Year.
       From Henry M. Flagler Elementary School: Marielena Lago, 
     Teacher of the Year.
       From Kensington Park Elementary School: Maria D. Reinoso, 
     Teacher of the Year; Kendra Ceasar, Rookie Teacher of the 
     Year.
       From Key Largo School: Laura Lietaert, Teacher of the Year; 
     Eva Brown, Elementary School Inclusion Teacher of the Year; 
     Nicole Elliot, Middle School Inclusion Teacher of the Year.
       From Key West High School: Dina Kinnune, Inclusion Teacher 
     of the Year; Rebecca Provost, Teacher of the Year.
       From Kinloch Park Elementary School: Felicia Fina, Teacher 
     of the Year.
       From Marathon Middle/High School: Andrea Rapach, Beginning 
     Teacher of the Year; Mike Lettau, Teacher of the Year.
       From Merrick Educational Center: Maude Weiss, Teacher of 
     the Year; Krista Caballero, Beginning Teacher of the Year; 
     Lydia Chico, Paraprofessional of the Year.
       From Miami Lakes K-8 Center: Ada Romeu, Teacher of the 
     Year; Amy Castillo, Rookie Teacher of the Year; Rosy Calvo, 
     Miami-Dade Public Schools District Principal of the Year.
       From Plantation Key School: Barbara Berry, Teacher of the 
     Year; Amy Bence, Inclusion Teacher of the Year.
       From Poinciana Elementary: Jessica Eden Lockwood, Inclusion 
     Teacher of the Year; Martha Wyker, Teacher of the Year.
       From Ruth Owens Kruse' Educational Center: Dr. Ana Menedez-
     Londono, Teacher of the Year; Mr. Luis Farach, 
     Paraprofessional of the Year.
       From Sigsbee Elementary: Ellie Riley, Inclusion Teacher of 
     the Year; Lynly Hill, Teacher of the Year; Callie Hubble, 
     Beginning Teacher of the Year.
       From South Dade Middle School: Ronald Dennis, Teacher of 
     the Year; Susana Skinner, Rookie Teacher of the Year.
       From Somerset Academy Silver Palms: Adreia Da Costa, Young 
     Student Teacher of the Year; Alejandra Guzman, Middle and 
     High School Teacher of the Year.
       From South Florida Autisim Charter School: German Garcia, 
     Teacher of the Year; Roxana Rojas, Teacher Assistant of the 
     Year.
       From Stanley Switlike Elementary: Suzanne Terpos, Teacher 
     of the Year; Erin Voelliger, Inclusion Teacher of the Year.
       From Sunny Isles Beach Community School: Ms. Christine 
     Peck, Teacher of the Year; Rose Belizaire, Rookie Teacher of 
     the Year.
       From Sylvania Heights Elementary School: Anna-Maria Losada, 
     Teacher of the Year.
       From Vineland K-8 Center: Ms. Laurie Sharron, Teacher of 
     the Year.

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