[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 84 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4006-H4007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING RACQUEL ASA IN HONOR OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER 
                                 MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Soto) for 30 minutes.
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Month, I want to recognize Racquel Asa.
  Racquel Asa is an anchor and reporter for WFTV Eyewitness News in 
Orlando, Florida.
  Racquel's parents both came from the Philippines in pursuit of 
careers in the medical profession. She is a wife and mother to two 
young children, and she is proud to call central Florida her home.
  She has been a journalist for nearly 15 years in New York and 
Florida. During her time in Orlando, she covers all things 
transportation in central Florida, from I-4 to SunRail to the growing 
need to make roads safer. She has been tapped by the Central Florida 
Expressway Authority and DriveSmartFlorida.org to create a regional 
campaign to make our roads safer.
  She was recently recognized, in May, by the Federal Highway 
Administration for her efforts to raise awareness for both drivers and 
construction workers in work zones.
  She is also an Emmy-nominated journalist who has been recognized for 
her investigations into red light cameras and breaking news traffic 
reports.
  She is active in the community and participates in events every year 
to help organize and raise money for good organizations, causes, and 
missions. She has helped Second Harvest Food Bank, Embrace Families, 
and the local chapters of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and 
American Diabetes Association raise hundreds of thousands of dollars by 
emceeing their events. Most recently, she helped Tour de Cure Lake Nona 
break national records, raising more than $1 million to help fund 
diabetes research.
  For that, we recognize Ms. Racquel Asa.


   Recognizing Coco Johnston in Honor of Asian American and Pacific 
                             Islander Month

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Month, I want to recognize Coco Johnston.
  Coco Johnston moved from Honolulu, Hawaii, to southern California and 
has called Clermont, Florida, her home for the past 12 years.
  She currently works in marketing for Metro Title Group, located in 
Metro West, where she facilitates real estate closings. She has been in 
the title closing and home warranty industry for over 40 years.
  Her activities include being the current president of the Asian 
American Chamber of Commerce in central Florida. The organization's 
vision is to help its members prosper, grow, and serve as a bridge 
between many Asian American communities. They provide leadership, 
support, and encouragement to the Asian American business community of 
the greater Orlando region.
  She is also a member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America, 
where she is dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership 
opportunities in Asian American communities by creating a powerful 
national voice for housing and real estate professionals who serve the 
market.
  Ms. Johnston and her husband, John, have been married for 33 years. 
They have a blended family with their daughter, Amber, and their two 
granddaughters, Bailey and Charlie.
  For that, we honor Ms. Coco Johnston.


  Recognizing Dr. Yalcin Akin in Honor of Asian American and Pacific 
                             Islander Month

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Month, I want to recognize Dr. Yalcin Akin.
  Dr. Yalcin Akin is the founder and executive director of Orlando, 
Seminole, and Osceola science charter schools, a group of tuition-free 
public charter schools that focus on science, technology, engineering, 
and math education.
  Dr. Akin earned his master's of science and Ph.D. from the University 
of Florida in materials science and engineering.
  Prior to founding Orlando Science Schools, Dr. Akin worked with the 
National Science Foundation and Department of Energy, supporting 
numerous projects at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in 
Tallahassee.
  The Orlando Science Schools serve a diverse K-12 population of more 
than 2,500 students at four campuses in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola 
Counties.
  Since opening in 2008, Orlando Science Schools has been consistently 
ranked as one of the best schools in the State of Florida and is also 
ranked among the top 100 most challenging high schools by The 
Washington Post. It currently stands in the top 15 percent of all 
schools in the State of Florida. It also has been ranked in the top 500 
by U.S. News & World Report.
  Dr. Akin is an active member of the Florida Consortium of Public 
Charter Schools. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of high-quality 
charter school education and regularly participates in the annual 
Florida charter school conferences.

  For that, we honor Dr. Akin.


 Recognizing Nuren Durre Haider in Honor of Asian American and Pacific 
                             Islander Month

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Month, I want to recognize Nuren Durre Haider.
  Nuren Durre Haider, Esq., is a proud American-born Muslim Bangladeshi 
woman. She is a wife, the mother of three beautiful children, and an 
attorney.
  She received her bachelor's degree in political science with a minor 
in business administration and education from the University of Florida 
and her juris doctorate degree from Florida A&M University College of 
Law.
  Nuren Durre Haider is a believer in empowerment and representation 
for all. She is focused on getting her community involved in the 
electoral and political process and was the first Bangladeshi and 
Muslim to run for Orange County Commission in her district.
  She is an advocate for equality, the environment, a living wage, 
affordable healthcare, banning assault weapons, raising awareness for 
mental health issues, raising teacher salaries, and other issues that 
affect the day-to-day lives of Americans. Along with this, Nuren 
dedicates her time to various interfaith and cultural events.

                              {time}  2045

  Currently, Nuren practices transactional law and is serving her 
second term as vice chairwoman of the Orange County Democratic Party. 
She is appointed to the Judiciary Committee of the Florida Democratic 
Party, the central Florida regional director for the American Muslim 
Democratic Caucus, an active member of the Democratic Women's Club of 
West Orange, and holds many other memberships and board positions.
  And for that, Ms. Nuren Durre Haider, Esq., we honor you.


Recognizing Akm Hossain In Honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander 
                                 Month

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Month, I want to recognize Akm Hossain. Akm Hossain was born 
in Bangladesh in September of 1961. He went to school and college in 
Bangladesh. He came to the United States as a foreign student at 
Daytona Beach Community College, where he finished his AA degree in 
business management.
  He is a business professional, currently living in Osceola County 
with his wife, Roksana Hossain, and their children. He has been 
involved with different kinds of social and cultural activities since 
day one in America. He was elected president of the largest Bangladeshi 
American social organization in central Florida.
  Akm Hossain is the first Bangladeshi American ever to run for public 
office in the city of Kissimmee, and he is he an active member the 
Osceola Democratic Party. He has also organized the Asian Food Music 
and Cultural Festival, the largest multicultural event in central 
Florida.

[[Page H4007]]

  He has been awarded Best Community Leader by the Central Florida 
Bangladeshi American Community five times in a row, and Great Community 
Leader for his social service and contributions toward the community by 
the North American Bangladeshi union.
  Akm Hossain has dedicated his whole life to uplift the Asian American 
community and the welfare of its people, and he serves to promote 
peace, unity, and life throughout the community.
  And for that, Mr. Akm Hossain, we honor you.


Recognizing Jan Gautam in Honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander 
                                 Month

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American and Pacific 
Islander Month, I want to recognize Jan Gautam. Mr. Gautam is 
identified best as a hands-on executive known for strategic approaches 
in achieving favorable results for hotel owners, business colleagues, 
and numerous foundations to which he belongs.
  After completing his master's degree in hospitality management, he 
pursued employment as a hotel director for Carnival and Hawaii Luxury 
Cruise Lines, before moving to the hotel industry.
  As founder of GI Hotels Group in 2004, Mr. Gautam tailored a modern 
approach to hospitality management. After he founded GI Hotels, Mr. 
Gautam merged this company with Interessant Hotels & Resort Management, 
where he currently serves as president and CEO. Interessant has become 
a leading hotel management company within the United States, Latin 
America, the Caribbean, and India.
  Additionally, Mr. Gautam has overseen more than $300 million in 
renovations and $450 million in new development of hospitality projects 
over the past 5 years. He has achieved recognition and served on 
committees such as the Asian American Hotel Owners Association as a 
regional ambassador, Board of Directors with Visit Florida, the Florida 
Restaurant and Lodging Association, Rollins College International 
Advisory Board, and numerous local chapters to support tourism and 
governmental interaction.
  And for that, Mr. Jan Gautam, we honor you.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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