[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4426-H4429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING JOHN RUFFIER DURING PRIDE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Pride Month, I would like to 
honor John Ruffier.
  John Daniel Ruffier is an attorney and leader of the LGBTQ community 
in central Florida. John was born in Orlando, Florida, and attended 
Edgewater High School where he was part of the State champion men's 
crew team.
  He went on to attend Vanderbilt University and then the University of 
Florida College of Law. Upon graduation from law school, John joined 
the law firm of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed in Orlando 
where he practices to this day, sitting on the firm's executive 
committee and leading the firm's senior housing practice group.
  John has been involved in numerous community activities having served 
on the board of directors for both the Central Florida Coalition for 
the Homeless and the Hope and Health Center of Central Florida.
  Along with Jennifer Foster, John founded the central Florida chapter 
of the Human Rights Campaign and later joined HRC's national board of 
governors. Following his term on HRC's board of governors, he was asked 
to join the board of directors for the HRC Foundation. John was also 
elected to the Human Rights Campaign's political board where he rose to 
the role of board chair in the years 2018 to 2019.
  For that, John Ruffier, we honor you.


             Honoring Dr. George Wallace During Pride Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Pride Month, I would like to 
honor Dr. George Wallace.

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  Dr. George Wallace was born in New Hampshire and moved to central 
Florida in 1992. He returned to New England in 1995, and after 
finishing his undergraduate degree, he returned to Florida in 2002.
  George spent the first half of his career advocating and working with 
persons with disabilities as a case manager and later turned his 
passion for arts into a career as a senior leader of the Orlando 
Fringe.
  During the Pulse tragedy, George was serving on the board of the 
LGBT+ Center of Orlando. Knowing that he wanted to continue serving his 
community, he accepted the role as executive director of The Center in 
Orlando in 2017. Dr. Wallace has since grown the organization to 
include a programming center at its satellite office in Kissimmee in 
our district.
  George is a very visible leader within central Florida and enjoys 
travel, photography, and cheering on the Boston Red Sox in his free 
time.
  For that, Dr. George Wallace, we honor you.


               Honoring Eric Rollings During Pride Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Pride Month, I would like to 
honor Eric Rollings.
  After 30 years of change, of loss, and of victories, Eric Rollings 
continues to be one of the most active and visible LGBT leaders in 
Orange County.
  Eric started volunteering at the Hope and Help Center in the early 
1990s because he witnessed the injustices and stigma that his friends 
suffered from HIV/AIDS as they were dealing with it every day. In 1993, 
he was awarded the Volunteer of the Year for his dedication.
  In the present day, Eric is serving his sixth term on the Community 
Development Block Grant Board and helps secure funding for the LGBT+ 
Center of central Florida and helps make recommendations for housing 
and services for people living with HIV/AIDS and low- to moderate-
income households in the Orlando area.
  In Eric's early small business career he was discriminated against 
for being gay. He saw an opportunity to help educate other business 
entrepreneurs and worked to provide a safe business environment. With 
that, he helped grow the Metropolitan Business Association, the LGBT 
Chamber of Commerce, serving on the board of directors twice.
  Eric, with many of his friends and activist allies, was instrumental 
in passing ordinances and protections for the LGBT people of the city 
of Orlando and Orange County. In the early days, nothing was certain, 
but because they did not give up on Orlando and Orange County, today 
our home is one of the most inclusive, welcoming, and economically 
vibrant areas in the Nation.
  After the Pulse tragedy, all of Orlando came together and became 
Orlando United. Eric was honored with an Orlando United Medal from 
Mayor Teresa Jacobs. Eric was elected as one of the first openly LGBT 
people to serve in an Orange County-wide position. He worked as 
chairman of our Soil and Water Conservation Board. He continues to work 
now politically to improve our environment and to stand up for equality 
for all, including a ban on conversion therapy.
  For that, Mr. Eric Rollings, we honor you.


         Honoring Ricardo Negron-Almodovar During Pride Month.

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Pride Month, I would like to 
honor Ricardo Negron-Almodovar.
  Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ricardo obtained a master's degree in 
education, a juris doctorate, and is a licensed attorney in Puerto 
Rico.
  In 2015 Ricardo moved from Yauco, Puerto Rico, to Orlando, Florida. 
During his first year in Florida, he taught English to adults and 
became involved in civic engagement efforts to register new voters.
  After the Pulse tragedy on June 12, 2016, of which he is a survivor, 
Ricardo worked to empower the LGBTQ Latinx community and has advocated 
against discrimination and gun violence. Ricardo currently serves as a 
legal service coordinator for LatinoJustice where he has had the 
opportunity to assist those transitioning from Puerto Rico to Florida 
after Hurricane Maria devastated my family's native island.
  Recently Ricardo obtained a master's degree in nonprofit management 
and launched the community organization Del Ambiente, which is an 
effort led by the LGBTQ Puerto Rican community to build up the LGBTQ 
Puerto Rican community in Florida's activism in environmental work.
  For that, Ricardo Negron-Almodovar, we honor you.


              Honoring Karen Castelloes During Pride Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Pride Month, I would like to 
honor Karen Castelloes.
  In 1971, Karen graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BA 
in Spanish. After moving to Orlando in 1975, she attained her master's 
degree in education from Nova University and was employed by Orange 
County Public Schools as an English to Speakers of Other Languages 
teacher, an ESOL teacher, for 31 years.
  She retired in 2007 and became involved in volunteer work. She is the 
cofounder of the Jefferson R. Voss Scholarship for Zebra Coalition 
youth. She served as a member of the Equality Florida Steering 
Committee for 3 years and presently holds the position of vice chair.
  She continues to volunteer at IDignity of Orlando and at the food 
pantry at Joy MCC. In addition, she proudly serves on the education 
fund at the Zebra Coalition organization which serves LGBTQ youth.
  For that, Karen Castelloes, we honor you.


             Honoring David Arthur Jones During Pride Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Pride Month, I would like to 
honor David Arthur Jones.
  David Arthur Jones, son of Mary Lou Jones and the late Arthur 
Henderson Jones, Jr. was born and raised in a union household in 
upstate New York. The environment of David's upbringing provided a 
foundation of values associated with human rights to which he has been 
largely committed to over the course of his lifetime.
  After surviving a raucous adolescence, David served with the United 
States Jaycees and the New York Young Democrats and was awarded the 
prestigious Governorship Award which confers an honorary lifetime 
membership. Among his proudest works was the establishment of a 
spacious town park in Whitestown, New York.
  David went on to enroll at the Mohawk Valley Community College and 
Utica College of Syracuse University where he earned his degree in 
occupational therapy.
  Together, John and David moved to Lake Wales, Florida, in 2004, in 
Florida's Ninth Congressional District. As a committeeman, David 
incorporated LGBT issues as part of meetings of the Polk County 
Democratic Committee.
  In 2001, David and his life partner, John, officially certified their 
love for each other by virtue of marriage in Utica, New York. David and 
John spearheaded the effort to establish the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, 
Transgender, and Allies Democratic Caucus of Polk County. In that same 
year, David became a Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus regional director 
serving six counties, including Polk, Lake, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, 
and Volusia County, of which I am proud to represent much of that area.
  David is now in his fifth term serving as the area's regional 
director. Currently David Jones is focusing on securing all-inclusive 
human rights ordinances in municipalities within Polk County. Thus far, 
David has spoken before the commissions of three Polk County cities and 
has recruited a number of supporters to do the same in the quest to 
secure fundamental rights for all, and our office has helped in that 
effort.
  David is extremely grateful for the public support that has been 
given by Florida House Representative Sam Killebrew and our office, 
Team Soto, towards securing all-inclusive human rights ordinances, 
securing the effort as being one of bipartisanship.
  For that, David Arthur Jones, we honor you.


            Honoring Anthony H. Sandonato During Pride Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Pride Month, I would like to 
honor Anthony H. Sandonato.
  Anthony is a proud Orlando resident, human resources executive, LGBTQ 
community advocate, and a member of the Human Rights Campaign's 
national board of governors.

[[Page H4428]]

  Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Anthony currently resides 
with his husband, Tracer Foster, in downtown Orlando, Florida.
  After completing his bachelor's degree in education from Edinboro 
University of Pennsylvania, Anthony relocated to Fort Lauderdale, 
Florida, in 1995 to pursue his career. It was there that he took on his 
first role in human resources with a Miami-based retailer.
  Anthony began volunteering to effect change for the LGBT community. 
He took on volunteer leadership roles with south Florida's volunteer 
committee for the Human Rights Campaign, the Nation's largest LGBTQ 
advocacy group and political lobbying organization in the United 
States.
  Anthony volunteered through HRC to protect Miami-Dade's hard-won 
human rights ordinance and to attempt to stop the passage of Florida's 
2008 amendment which ultimately banned gay marriage and civil unions in 
that State until 2015.

  At the Federal level, Anthony championed HRC's efforts in south 
Florida to achieve the passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, 
the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, and the decade-long 
effort to pass the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, otherwise known as 
ENDA.
  Anthony moved to Orlando in 2012. Shortly after relocating, he joined 
HRC's Orlando/central Florida volunteer committee and continued his 
LGBTQ advocacy as a political and community engagement leader. His 
focus in central Florida has been to continue his efforts to influence 
policy by coordinating local get-out-the-vote campaigns and by working 
with community leaders and Members of the House and Senate for repeal 
of the current administration's transgender military ban and the 
passage of the Equality Act, which I am proud, Madam Speaker, we passed 
out of this House earlier this year.
  For that, Anthony H. Sandonato, we honor you.


               Honoring Nikole Parker During Pride Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Pride Month, I would like to 
honor Nikole Parker.
  Nikole Parker is a transgender woman of Puerto Rican, Italian, and 
African American descent. She was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, 
and at the age of 19 left her job and her home to begin her transition. 
After 3 years of black-market hormones and unsafe lifestyle practices 
she came back to Orlando to restart her life.
  Nikole's passion in advocating for the rights and dignity of 
transgender and gender-nonconforming community is legendary in central 
Florida. She currently works for onePULSE Foundation as the event and 
community outreach coordinator. Nikole also sits on various nonprofit 
boards within the community, including the LGBT+ Center and the Orlando 
United Assistance Center.
  In addition to her work with the onePULSE Foundation, Nikole coleads 
the work of the Orlando Trans Awareness Collective, a collaborative 
group of transgender and gender nonconforming leaders of color who have 
focused on community building and advocacy efforts for the central 
Florida transgender community.
  In 2018, Nikole was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award 
by the Miss Glamorous Pageant for her ongoing advocacy and empowerment 
of the transgender community and work with the onePULSE Foundation.
  She hopes to educate individuals from the community on healthy and 
safe ways to undergo transition, providing resources so black-market 
hormones and unsafe lifestyles can be avoided.
  For that, Nikole Parker, we honor you.

                              {time}  1715


        Honoring Dieuseul Berto During Caribbean Heritage Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month, I 
would like to honor Dieuseul Berto.
  Dieuseul Berto is a Haitian American immigrant who was a former kick 
boxer and founder of Tiger's World Martial Arts and Boxing Fitness, 
founded in Winter Haven, Florida, in Florida's Ninth Congressional 
District. He competed in the UFC.
  Berto was known as the man who helped so many people. He was 
recognized for his conception of a cardiovascular weight loss training 
program.
  Although Berto was injured in a horrendous car accident that left him 
in a wheelchair for over a year, he did not let the accident define or 
confine him. Therefore, Dieuseul Berto began creating ways to self-
train in his wheelchair by including pushups and the use of a punching 
bag, which served as a catalyst for his cardio program. He then 
incorporated those techniques used in the workout.
  Berto's fitness program is credited with helping more than 1,200 
people gain access to better health by shedding unwanted and unhealthy 
pounds, resulting in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol concerns 
over the past 20 years. He is considered a pioneer in helping people 
with their health and, consequently, their self-confidence.
  He was also a family man who helped many kids and tried to keep them 
out of trouble with his kids program. Berto also mentored children and 
encouraged them to never sell themselves short by reiterating that any 
dream is possible and attainable with hard work and dedication. He is 
credited with teaching children to set larger-than-life expectations 
for themselves.
  He interacted, impacted, and inspired people from all aspects of 
life.
  Berto and his wife are the parents of seven children, including Andre 
Berto, a two-time former welterweight world champion; Edson and 
Revelina, who are also professional mixed martial artists; and his son 
Cleveland, who is an actor.
  Madam Speaker, for that, we honor Dieuseul Berto.


         Honoring Casmore Shaw During Caribbean Heritage Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month, I 
would like to honor Casmore Shaw.
  Casmore Shaw moved to Osceola County in the mid-eighties from New 
York, where he worked as associate dean for the International Students 
and High School Program and as the director of admissions and student 
enrollment at Technical Career Institutes. Before that, he taught at 
Mona Preparatory School in Kingston, Jamaica.
  Casmore currently serves on the Osceola County Housing and Finance 
Authority Advisory Board and the regional board of MetroPlan Citizens 
Transportation Advisory Committee as well.
  He is also the State committee man for the Osceola Democrats and the 
vice chair of the Osceola Democratic Executive Committee. Casmore is 
the State secretary for the Florida Democratic Party. He is also a 
member of the Osceola Education Foundation and the Caribbean and 
Floridian Association.
  Casmore is a founding member of the Kissimmee and Kissimmee South 
Poinciana Rotary Clubs. He served as past chairman of the Osceola 
Charter Review Commission, past chair of the Osceola Land Conservation 
Advisory Board, past chairman of the board of directors of the Osceola 
County Library System, past president and vice president of the 
Caribbean and Floridian Association, past chair of the Osceola County 
School District's Affirmative Action Advisory Board, and the conflict 
resolution officer and mediator of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of 
Osceola County.
  Casmore holds a graduate degree in curriculum instruction, with a 
minor in reading intervention, from Concordia University, as well as 
degrees in elementary education and business administration, with a 
concentration in supervision and management, and an advanced 
certificate in healthcare administration.
  He worked at Polk State College in the Student Service department and 
was director for My Brother's Keeper, a program for homeless and 
vulnerable students. He was also the co-adviser to the Pearl of a 
Nation Haitian Service Club.
  Casmore is married to Jennifer Mitchell, and they have four 
daughters: Toni-Ann, Deirdre, Dionne, and Jennise.
  Madam Speaker, for that, we honor Mr. Casmore Shaw.


         Honoring Wayne Golding During Caribbean Heritage Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month, I 
would like to honor Wayne Golding, Sr., Esquire, who was born in 
Kingston, Jamaica.
  After his graduation from high school, he immigrated to New York

[[Page H4429]]

with his mother and younger brother in 1981. He went on to graduate 
from Queens College, CUNY, with a BA in economics and worked on Wall 
Street.
  In 1988, he moved his young family to Orlando, Florida. Wayne earned 
his juris doctorate of law from Barry University School of Law.
  Even as an accomplished attorney practicing in the Florida State 
courts, the United States courts, and immigration court, he has 
continued his work as a community leader and activist.
  In 2004, he established the litigation law firm, The Golding Law 
Group, PLC, based in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Golding has served as 
president of the Caribbean Bar Association's Central Florida chapter.
  As an immigrant, he made history when he was selected to serve as 
chairman of the Orange County School Board Biracial Committee.
  Since August 2015, Mr. Golding has been selected to serve as the 
Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board member of the southern USA. In this 
role, he confidently advises the minister of foreign affairs for the 
Government of Jamaica on Jamaica diaspora issues.
  He has been laser focused on methodically galvanizing the skills and 
talent of the members of the Caribbean community and strengthening the 
voice of the Caribbean communities in the spaces they reside.

  Notably, he continues to be involved with the planning and execution 
of the annual celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month.
  Wayne credits his drive and commitment to his community to the 
lessons learned from his grandparents; the support of his wife of 30 
years, Lois A. Golding; from their two children, Tassanee Golding and 
Wayne Golding, Jr.; his mother, Minett Gayle-Brown; as well as a host 
of mentors and leaders on whose shoulders he stands.
  Madam Speaker, for that, we honor Mr. Wayne Golding.


          Honoring John Perry During Caribbean Heritage Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month, I 
would like to honor John Perry.
  Mr. John Everton Perry was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in August 1955. 
He migrated to New York in 1967 and attended junior high school at 
Mount Vernon's Washington Junior High, where he received the 
certificate for outstanding writing presented by the actor-community 
activist Mr. Ossie Davis.
  Mr. Perry went on to attend Mount Vernon High School, where he 
lettered in football as a quarterback and also in track. He was a voice 
on the student council as head school marshal.
  After high school, Mr. Perry enlisted in the United States Air Force, 
where he served honorably for 5 years. During this time, Mr. Perry 
found time to attend The Ohio State University, Park College, and 
Rollins College.
  Mr. Perry's first passion is as a fishmonger. He has worked in the 
seafood industry since the age of 13, but, along the way, he has worked 
in corporate America: in sales for Brach's Candy, as a tile and gap 
filler specialist for the U.S. Space Shuttle program at KSC, and 
financial labor auditor with the Lockheed Corporation.
  John now works as an independent insurance counselor in the 
employees' benefit arena, a relocation specialist, and a LegalShield 
director.
  For the last 4 years, Mr. Perry has been on WOTS 1220AM in Kissimmee, 
Caribbean Rhythms Radio Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the ``A 
Little Bit of Everything'' commentary show on the subject of the day.
  Mr. Perry has been a devoted husband to Mrs. Cecilia LaVerne Perry 
for the last 43 years. They were blessed with two outstanding children, 
John, Jr., and Jonnell Evette Perry, and also their two grandchildren, 
Makayla Perry and Johntae Perry.
  Madam Speaker, for that, we honor Mr. John Perry.


         Honoring Louis Witter During Caribbean Heritage Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month, I 
would like to honor Louis Witter.
  Louis Witter has been a longstanding businessman in the hospitality 
industry in the central Florida area since 1992.
  He attended Florida Technical College, where he gained his knowledge 
in business administration and management. He is a current member of 
the Caribbean and Floridian Association, Inc.; Restore the Path for 
Christ Church; and the Jamaica Diaspora group, Southeastern Division.
  Louis Witter is an entrepreneur, a Caribbean restaurant owner, and a 
producer and host of Caribbean Rhythms Radio Network AM1220 WOTS, a 
local Caribbean radio station in the Kissimmee, Florida, area.
  This radio station provides vital sources of business, social 
networking, events, and community information, interviews, and has been 
a voice to the central Florida Caribbean communities for the past 20 
years.
  He has used the radio platform to provide internships to over 50 
individuals who have successfully completed programs at the radio 
station and have moved on to pursue careers in the radio broadcasting 
industry.
  Louis Witter is from the Caribbean island of Jamaica. He has lived in 
the United States for over 30 years.
  When he is not involved with business, he enjoys listening to 
cultural reggae music. He believes that reggae music speaks to all 
nations, with a strong message in each song.
  Louis Witter lives in Davenport, Florida, and can be heard online 
every Saturday at www.crrnetwork.com, on his broadcasts.
  Madam Speaker, for that, we honor Mr. Louis Witter.


        Honoring Shelley Briggs During Caribbean Heritage Month

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month, I 
would like to honor Shelley Briggs.
  Shelley Ann Briggs was born in London, England, on July 5 to the late 
Joan Ann Grant. Joan had migrated to London from Georgetown, Guyana, to 
complete her studies, and, due to hardships, Shelley was sent to 
Georgetown, Guyana, to live with her grandmother when she was a baby.
  Seeking better opportunities and a better life for her family, her 
grandmother migrated to the United States of America when Shelley was 4 
years old, soon settling in Brooklyn, New York.
  As a child growing up, Shelley was raised under Guyanese traditions 
and customs, and, even though she lived in Brooklyn, the neighborhood 
reflected the West Indian culture Shelley grew to admire.
  Shelley attended several private schools and graduated from Catherine 
McAuley High School. During this time, she also became a U.S. citizen 
through the help of her mother, who had joined the family in the U.S. 
when Shelley was 10 years old.
  After high school, Shelley made the decision to join the United 
States Army after attending college for one semester. Shelley then 
relocated to Florida to help take care of her mother, who had been 
diagnosed with cancer.
  While in Florida, her mother introduced her to the Caribbean and 
Floridian Association, and soon Shelley became a member. She has served 
CAFA in a variety of capacities over the last 20 years, and currently 
she is chairperson for the Service and Education Committee.
  She is currently employed as a dean at Gateway High School, located 
in Osceola County School District in Florida's Ninth Congressional 
District.
  Shelley's life passion has always been children, and there has been a 
special place in her heart for children whose parents left their home 
country and came to the United States in search of a better life for 
their family.
  Shelley is happily married to Dennis Briggs and is the proud mother 
to Jada; Jourard; Dennis, Jr.; and Deyonce.
  Madam Speaker, for that, we honor Mrs. Shelley Briggs.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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