[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 5, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E166-E167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING KATIE PORTA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Katie Porta. 
Katie has devoted her life to serving the Central Florida community. 
She is an amazing woman and a source of inspiration to us all.
  Katie was born in Indiana as Mary Katherine Hartman. She spent much 
of her childhood shadowing her mom, a nurse who conducted in-home 
hearing tests for people with disabilities. The experience of visiting 
rural homes and serving her community remained with Katie into 
adulthood and drove her apply to Purdue University, where she 
eventually earned a degree in speech and hearing. Following graduation, 
Katie became a speech and hearing therapist initially serving the 
public school system, and later working with military families 
stationed in Japan through the Department of Defense. Katie's service 
was rewarded with a new position in Germany, where she supervised an 
initiative that assisted servicemen as they transitioned from the 
military back into society.
  After her time in Germany, Katie accepted a job working with mentally 
disabled children at the Sunland Center in Tallahassee. She was shocked 
by the hospital conditions and immediately resolved herself to becoming 
a powerful advocate for the disabled. One of Katie's first 
opportunities to serve as that advocate came in form of legislation: a 
bill of rights for the developmentally disabled. Katie fought to secure 
these rights--rights that are now enshrined in Florida law. As Katie 
says, the developmentally disabled ``have the same needs you and I have 
. . . People don't want to be treated down; they want to be treated 
up.''
  Katie later took over Life Concepts, Inc. a non-profit organization 
that operated group homes, sheltered apartments and vocational training 
for adults with developmental disabilities (who had previously lived in 
large state institutions). She spent time visiting state institutions 
to personally meet the individuals who would be discharged into their 
assigned community homes. Katie said she wanted to make sure that the 
settings Life Concepts provided would meet their individual needs. The 
non-profit had few resources, so Katie worked hard to develop 
relationships with Florida legislators and stakeholders to ensure that 
her clients could count on quality care. Her quick wit, persistence, 
and passion for her clients earned her a reputation for getting things 
done.

[[Page E167]]

  Katie also served her community as Chairwoman of the Orlando 
Utilities Commission and in her capacity on other community boards, 
such as the City of Orlando's Nominating Board, the Orange County 
Membership Advisory Board, and the Heart of Florida United Way. Katie's 
love for her community is reflected in her two children, Michael and 
Stephanie. Stephanie is a community organizer in Central Florida and 
demonstrates the same commitment to equality and justice that her 
mother has shown.
  Katie's work has earned her recognition in Central Florida. In 1996, 
she was presented with the Distinguished Leadership Award by the 
National Association of Community Leadership. In 2000 she was 
recognized as one of the ``Top 10 Central Florida Women Who Mean 
Business.'' In 2003, our local public radio station, WMFE, called her 
the ``Can-Do Woman of the Year.'' Last month, our local newspaper named 
Katie the ``Central Floridian of the Year'' for her lifetime commitment 
to serving our community.
  I want to recognize Katie for creating a legacy of care and 
compassion for the voiceless--and as an inspiration to those of us who 
dream of serving our community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I enter these remarks into 
the Congressional Record of history for my friend, and Central 
Florida's hero, Katie Porta.

                          ____________________