[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 99 (Thursday, June 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                BLACK HISTORY HONOREE: ANNA M. PINELLAS

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                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2019

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Mrs. Anna M. Pinellas.
  Anna M. Pinellas moved to join her husband, Louis C. Pinellas, Sr., 
in his hometown of Kissimmee, FL in 1981, after having worked in local 
government in Washington, Maryland, and Virginia.
  Having knowledge in securing funds for various projects, she was 
hired by the City of Kissimmee and was able to secure grants for the 
infrastructure around Osceola Square Mall, the paving of Hill Street, 
and John Young Parkway. The first of those grants being $750,000.
  She was also hired by Osceola County Government to secure federal 
funds for projects which included bringing Head Start back to Osceola 
County, refurbishing the Old Courthouse, and the establishment of a 
Salary Plan for Osceola County employees.
  One of her primary goals was to pursue the establishment of the Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday in the city of Kissimmee, City of St. 
Cloud, Osceola County and the School Board. Thirty-four years ago, 
Pinellas founded Osceola Visionaries Inc., a non-profit corporation 
devoted to honoring and celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. before 
the holiday was observed.
  Today, Pinellas continues to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by 
hosting their annual banquet and holding programs for the Central 
Florida community.

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