[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H7161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SUSTAINABLE CONTROL OF THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to one 
very remarkable young woman. Earlier this year, I had the honor of 
meeting Masedi while visiting Botswana as part of a delegation trip.
  Sadly, Botswana is still struggling with HIV/AIDS. Every year, there 
are 14,000 new infections, and 1 in 5 adults in the country has HIV/
AIDS. Masedi is one of these adults.
  Born with HIV/AIDS 23 years ago, she lost both of her parents and 
many other family members to this disease. But when my husband, Dexter, 
and I visited with her in Botswana, she was full of optimism and 
determination.
  Masedi's story is remarkable, and what she has had to overcome is 
truly inspiring. She has made it her mission to educate the people of 
Botswana on HIV/AIDS to dispel any rumors or stigmas related to this 
disease and to one day see a Botswana free of this terrible ordeal.
  We were so inspired with this visit, and she is truly a shining role 
model for the entire country.
  That is why our PEPFAR program is so vitally important, Mr. Speaker. 
In just over 15 years, PEPFAR has saved and improved millions of lives 
while preventing millions more in HIV infections. Thanks to American 
leadership, PEPFAR, and remarkable individuals like Masedi, we can 
achieve the goal of sustainable control and eradication of the HIV/AIDS 
epidemic.


 Congratulating Bob Rosasco's Efforts with MINTS International Seminary

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and thank 
my dear friend Bob Rosasco for his efforts with MINTS International 
Seminary and its seminary-in-prison degree program.
  Since 2010, this organization has been teaching theology in Florida's 
prisons in order to educate, to train, and to equip members of the 
prison population, so they can teach others about religion and the word 
of God.
  This program provides inmates with the necessary tools and training 
that prepare them to reenter society and become productive members of 
the community after their release. Studies have shown that those who 
participate in education programs, including religious programs, while 
incarcerated are much less likely to reoffend.
  Because of Bob Rosasco and the efforts of so many like him, this 
program now has more than 200 students participating, with plans to 
keep expanding beyond Florida and across the United States.
  We are blessed to have Bob Rosasco as a member of our south Florida 
community, and I commend him for continuously giving back to others by 
sharing his time, his knowledge, and his passion.


                        Recognizing Ryan Dooley

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ryan Dooley, 
a dedicated Federal employee, a public servant, and my friend who lives 
in my congressional district in beautiful south Florida.
  I first met Ryan 14 years ago, shortly after he arrived in Miami as 
Assistant Director of the State Department's Miami Passport Agency. 
Ryan's commitment to service is unparalleled, and because of his 
efforts, he was soon promoted to Director of the Miami Passport Agency.
  When the San Juan Passport Agency opened its doors to the public in 
2014, Ryan was chosen to lead that office as well. For the first time, 
our fellow Americans living in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 
gained direct access to much needed-passport services, and that was 
truly a historic milestone.
  Today, Ryan is responsible for helping countless citizens across a 
huge geographic area. Ryan and his staff are consummate professionals 
dedicated to serving their communities efficiently and accurately. 
Under Ryan's leadership, they have met and overcome numerous passport 
workload challenges.
  I have had the opportunity to work with Ryan on multiple occasions, 
both in Miami and here in D.C., and I can say that he is respected and 
admired by his colleagues at local, State, and Federal levels.
  I also know numerous State Department employees who got their start 
in Miami and were mentored by Ryan and encouraged to excel in their 
public service paths.
  In his career that has taken him around the world, Ryan has always 
promoted the ideals of freedom, of democracy, and of being responsible 
to the citizens of our great Nation.
  I would like to say, on behalf of my constituents: Ryan Dooley, thank 
you so much for all of your tireless work. I commend you for a job well 
done. I hope that you continue to serve the people of south Florida, 
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands faithfully. I wish you and 
your partner, Gerald Darby, the best in the years to come. Gracias, 
amigo.

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