[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 42 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E379-E380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2014


          RECOGNIZING THE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF SARA SHAW

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Women's History 
Month, to recognize Sara Shaw. Sara is a City Commissioner and the 
owner of a small flooring business in her hometown of Kissimmee, 
Florida. She is also a lifelong resident of Osceola County where she 
began volunteering in her youth with Civil Air Patrol specializing in 
search and rescue.
  Sara Shaw currently serves as the Director of several boards: the Tr-
County League of Cities, the Education Foundation, the Transition 
House, and ESAH 360. Her memberships include the Osceola County Bar 
Association, Tr-County League of Cities Legislative Advocacy Team, and 
Florida League of Cities Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources 
Committee.
  Prior to being elected, Sara served as a volunteer board member for 
Kissimmee's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She is very proud of 
Kissimmee's state of the art Lakefront Park. Her volunteer activities 
include Kissimmee Relay for Life, Kissimmee 5K, and serving as a 
Guardian Ad Litem to protect the rights of foster children. She has 
advocated to change Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) policies and to 
change the KUA Board of Directors appointment process.
  Sara engages the community on a personal basis. She actively seeks 
out the concerns and opinions of the citizens and business owners and 
encourages everyone to get involved civically. She has even been known 
to help push a disabled vehicle out of the street or give rides to 
citizens in need.
  Growing up in poverty, Sara feels that she must give back to the 
community that helped her so much. She is a hard worker and a fierce 
defender of those who cannot defend themselves. She tries to lead by 
example and serve her city, ever mindful of the Athenian Oath:

       We will never bring disgrace to this our city, by any act 
     of dishonesty or cowardice; nor ever desert our suffering 
     comrades in the ranks, we will fight for the ideal and sacred 
     things of the city, both alone and with many; we will revere 
     and obey the city's laws and do our best to incite a like 
     respect in those above us who are prone to annul or set them 
     at naught; we will strive unceasingly to quicken the public's 
     sense of civic duty. Thus, in all these ways we will transmit 
     this city not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful 
     than it was transmitted to us.

  I am happy to honor Sara Shaw, during Women's History Month, for her 
service to her hometown of Kissimmee, Florida.


    Recognizing the Leadership of Commissioner Daisy Williams Lynum

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Women's History Month, to 
recognize Commissioner Daisy Williams Lynum. Commissioner Lynum was 
elected to the Orlando City Council on April 14, 1998. Born and raised 
in Leesburg, Florida, Ms. Lynum earned an undergraduate degree in 
Sociology at Bethune-Cookman College and a graduate degree in clinical 
Social Work from Florida State University.
  As a Rockefeller Foundation Scholar recipient, she completed her 
post-baccalaureate studies at Haverford and Bryn Mawr colleges in 
Pennsylvania. She then completed her teaching certification at the 
University of Central Florida. Following her election, Commissioner 
Lynum completed the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for 
Executives at Harvard University in 2000. In 2005, Florida Metropolitan 
University awarded Commissioner Lynum an Honorary Doctorate of Humane 
Letters. Commissioner Lynum joined the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 
Inc., in 1966 and Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. in December 2008.
  After more than 30 years of employment, Commissioner Lynum retired in 
2002. She began her career as a fifth grade teacher then became a 
social worker and administrator for the Department of Health & 
Rehabilitative Services and a Special Services Social Worker for Orange 
County Public Schools.
  Commissioner Lynum's primary focus has been increasing quality of 
life through sustainable neighborhoods for residents in District 5 and 
the City of Orlando. Her community and civic involvement has included 
numerous organizations, boards, committees, and taskforces: Florida 
League of Cities Board of Directors; Board of Directors for the 
National League of Cities; Vice Chair BBIF Board of Directors; 
President of the National League of Cities Women In Municipal 
Government; President of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected 
Officials; President of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected 
Officials Foundation Board; President of the Florida Black Caucus of 
Local Elected Officials; African American Women's Technology Caucus; 
Chairman of MetroPlan Orlando Transportation Board; Secretary of the 
Central Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Alliance; Orange 
County Voter's League; Life Member of the NAACP; and Member of the 
Nemours Advisory Council.
  For two years, Commissioner Lynum worked on constructing the 
Blueprint, adopted by Orlando City Council, which created over 1,000 
jobs for the homeless, ex-felons and residents in the Parramore 
community. Commissioner Lynum also created the Orlando Medical Careers 
Partnership. The partnership takes a comprehensive approach to engage 
at-risk residents from elementary school through adulthood, with a 
four-tier system focusing on breaking barriers, youth engagement, 
advancing adults, and careers in science and healthcare related fields. 
The program launched on September 6, 2013.
  Commissioner Lynum has also represented Orlando and the U.S. in 
Japan, Africa, and China through her participation in business 
exchanges like the US-China Exchange Association's US Business 
Matchmaking Conference. In addition, she has visited many Caribbean and 
European countries as a visitor. She enjoys reading, traveling, and 
gardening and is a member of the New Covenant Baptist Church of 
Orlando.
  I am happy to honor Commissioner Daisy Lynum, during Women's History 
Month, for her contributions to the Central Florida community.


           Recognizing the Contributions of Josephine Mercado

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Women's History Month, to 
recognize Josephine Mercado. A native New Yorker, of Puerto Rican 
descent, she was raised in Spanish Harlem. After 18 years as a 
homemaker, she enrolled in college, as an urban legal scholar. Six 
years later, she graduated from law school, with a Juris Doctor. She 
practiced law for 17 years, devoting much of her time to Latino health 
issues, among other volunteer and community involvement.
  Throughout her career, Josephine has formed and directed nonprofits 
which implement programs that have provided access to health care, 
education, and wellness services to tens of thousands of people, first 
in New York City and now in Central Florida.
  Josephine is the Founder and Executive Director of Hispanic Health 
Initiatives, Inc. (HHI), a private, non-profit, health education, 
prevention, and referral organization focused on chronic diseases 
impacting the medically underserved. HHI serves the communities of 
Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties.
  Ms. Mercado was one of the first in her field to launch language-
specific, culturally-competent health campaigns on early detection, 
preventive medicine, and screening. HHI's programs provide access 
(Abriendo Caminos) to existing health care services and medical 
``homes.''
  HHI's work includes: disproving myths preventing people from seeking 
care; reducing barriers and disparities; and enhancing health literacy 
among low-income, uninsured, and underserved populations.
  Josephine is a staunch advocate of the community involvement. She is 
a member of a variety of entities serving the medically underserved in 
Central Florida, the state, and the nation. She has won local and 
national recognition for her innovative ``Take It to the Community'' 
health and wellness initiatives. These initiatives offer welcoming, 
informal settings for risk assessments, wellness, and prevention 
education.
  Both Josephine and HHI have received numerous recognitions, the 
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ``Community Health Leader'' award, the 
FamiliesUSA ``Consumer Health Advocate'' award, and the Intercultural 
Cancer Council ``National HOPE'' award. Josephine has also been 
profiled many times, in both English and Spanish media, as HHI is 
considered the ``Voice'' of Hispanic health in Central Florida.

[[Page E380]]

  I am happy to honor Josephine Mercado, during Women's History Month, 
for her contributions to the health and wellness of the community.


  Recognizing the Contributions of State Representative Linda Stewart

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Women's History Month, to 
recognize State Representative Linda Stewart. Elected in 2012, Linda 
currently serves in the Florida House of Representatives representing 
District 47. She sits on the Regulatory Affairs Committee, Select 
Committee on Claims Bills, State Affairs Committee, Agriculture & 
Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, and Transportation & 
Highway Safety Subcommittee.
  Prior to her election to the Florida Legislature, Linda served as 
Orange County Commissioner for District 4 from 2002 to 2010. Her other 
public service includes serving on the City of Orlando Parks Board, the 
Library Governance Board, and the Orange County Canvassing Board.
  An active member of her community, Linda has served as Chairwoman and 
Member of Metroplan Orlando, Orange County Vice Mayor, a Member of the 
Saint Johns River Restoration Group, and Vice Chairman for Phase II 
Housing Component for Mentally Ill.
  Linda is an advocate for women and for equality. She is a member of 
the Harvey Milk Foundation Advisory Board and the Rainbow Democrats. In 
2010, Equality Florida honored her with the ``Voice of Equality Award'' 
and in 2004 she was Women's Executive Council's ``Downtown Woman of the 
Year.'' She also received the ``Commissioner Leadership Award'' (FLERA) 
from the Sierra Club in 2011.
  I am happy to honor State Representative Linda Stewart, during 
Women's History Month, for her leadership and service to the Central 
Florida community.


             Recognizing the Service of Martha Ogden Haynie

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today, in honor of Women's History Month, to 
recognize Martha Ogden Haynie, CPA. Haynie graduated with honors from 
the University of West Florida in 1973 with a degree in accounting. She 
worked at Walt Disney World, Ernst and Young (previously Ernst and 
Whinney), her own accounting practice, and the Florida Symphony 
Orchestra before being elected as the Orange County Comptroller in 
1988.
  In her capacity as Comptroller, Haynie made improving citizens' trust 
in local government her top priority. Using her experience in the 
public, private and non-profit sectors, she emphasized providing 
quality service and accountability. By presenting audit reports 
directly to citizens through public presentations and the media, Haynie 
emphasized her role as a watchdog and the value of her independence as 
an elected official who answers to the public, not to other County 
officers.
  In 1992, Haynie undertook an initiative to gain authority to collect 
and audit Orange County's resort tax. Her proactive measure has since 
produced more than $20 million in added revenues for the County. In 
1996, Haynie's auditing authority was expanded by a Charter amendment, 
allowing her to audit other offices in the County in addition to the 
Board of County Commissioners and the Comptroller's Office.
  The Florida Institute of CPAs named Haynie the 1998 Outstanding CPA 
in Government for her efforts to promote the CPA designation as the 
premier professional credential for government accounting, auditing, 
and finance professionals.
  Between 2007 and 2011, Haynie saved Orange County nearly $77 million. 
She took action to prevent a $57 million loss in county funds that were 
invested with the state investment pool, and saved $20 million after 
identifying errors made in the state of Florida's Medicaid billing 
process.
  Haynie is professionally affiliated with the American Institute of 
Certified Public Accountants, the Florida Court Clerks and Comptroller 
Association, Florida Executive Women, Florida Institute of Certified 
Public Accountants, the Florida Government Finance Officers 
Association, and the National Association of Local Government Auditors.
  Always civically engaged, Haynie has been a board member to several 
community institutions such as the Women's Resource Center, Planned 
Parenthood of Greater Orlando, Hamilton Holt School of Rollins College, 
the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, the Florida Symphony 
Orchestra, and WEEKENDS of Greater Orlando.
  Haynie's public engagement helped facilitate the passage of the 
Orange County Domestic Partner Registry in 2012, earning her Equality 
Florida's ``Voice for Equality'' award. In addition, the Orlando 
Business Journal named Haynie the 2013 ``Executive of the Year.''
  I am happy to honor Martha Haynie, during Women's History Month, for 
her service to Orange County and the Central Florida community.

                          ____________________