[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5038-H5041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH--IN HONOR OF AMILCAR CORDOVA
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Haaland). 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 Hispanic Heritage Month, I honor
Amilcar Cordova.
Mr. Amilcar Cordova hails from Carolina, Puerto Rico. After high
school, he moved to Pennsylvania, where he began his career in the
health insurance industry. In 1994, he relocated to Orlando, Florida,
with his family while he studied business administration at Florida
Metropolitan University, and later, business management at the
University of Phoenix.
In 2003, he began working in the advertising industry with the
largest newspaper in Puerto Rico, El Nuevo Dia, which just recently
expanded to Central Florida. He later cofounded and served on the board
of directors of Amigos Profesionales Business Network, an organization
whose purpose was to help connect Hispanic professionals and business
owners in Central Florida.
In 2010, he founded Cordova Marketing Solutions, a firm that
specialized in the development of small businesses by providing
consulting, marketing, and advertising services. During this time, he
joined the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida as its
executive director, and in 2013, was elected as their President until
the end of his term in 2016. He would resume his role as President in
2019.
Mr. Cordova is proud of his upbringing in Puerto Rico and is very
grateful for the opportunities the U.S. has blessed him with. He tries
to give back to his community through volunteer work, including riding
his bicycle for different charities. One especially close to his heart
is the Young Survival Coalition, an organization dedicated to providing
essential services for breast cancer survivors under the age of 40.
Mr. Cordova shares his life with his best friend, Ms. Milly Colon. He
has two sons, four grandchildren, and is blessed to still have both his
parents alive and well.
For that, Mr. Cordova, we honor you.
In Honor of Cecilia Figueroa
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we
honor Cecilia Figueroa. Cecilia Figueroa is an Ecuadorian-American
journalist and media strategist. She graduated as a journalist in her
native city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. She learned about faith,
perseverance, and serving others from her parents, Isaac Alvia and
Olimpia Ordonez.
A woman pioneer in the print Hispanic media, her first job was at El
Nuevo Dia an Orlando newspaper. Passionate about her work, she seeks
stories promoting community outreach, education and knowledge about
immigration policies that are affecting the Latino community.
Cecilia enjoys highlighting profiles of Hispanic entrepreneurs,
organizations, and faith-based communities, among others. She was the
producer of the radio show, Hispanos Al Dia, and was cohost in various
other radio programs. She has provided professional services to EFE
News Service, El Sentinel de Orlando newspaper, and many others. In
2018, she cofounded Conexion Hispana USA, where she was a journalist
and social media manager for the platform.
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In her free time, she loves to read and empower Hispanic women to
reach their dreams. Cecilia enjoys sharing her knowledge in educational
workshops and conferences. She was the vice president of the National
Association of Hispanic Journalists in Central Florida and a founding
member of Mujer Emprende Latina Orlando. She is an active member of the
Hispanic American Professional and Business Women's Association of
Florida.
Cecilia has been recognized by various organizations for her
involvement and contributions to community causes, including Women's
Day by the city of Kissimmee, the Puerto Rican Day Parade of Osceola,
Nuevo Sendero, Tertulia Cuatro Gatos, Unidos Por Ecuador of Central
Florida, Ecuadorian Civic Committee of Central Florida, Voices of
Silence, Evangelical Fellowship of Councils of Florida, and more.
For that, Ms. Cecilia Figueroa, we honor you.
In Honor of Gaby Ortigoni
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we
recognize Gaby Ortigoni.
Gaby Ortigoni is the president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of
Metro Orlando, which is responsible for promoting the economic
development of the Hispanic community of over 1 million people.
Some of the signature events and programs they have created to
promote development in the community include the Hispanic Business
Conference, the Hispanic Economic Growth Summit, the Don Quijote
Awards, among others.
Prior to this, she served as the regional vice president for Central
Florida at Prospera, a nonprofit organization that provides free,
bilingual technical assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs who are
establishing or expanding their businesses. Under her leadership, the
region achieved a 23 percent increase in clients who received
individual consulting services.
Gaby has also served her community in other roles, including being
the manager of community relations at Orlando Utilities Commission,
director of Hispanic Crime Prevention Program for FIU's Center for the
Administration of Justice, senior community officer for the Puerto Rico
Federal Affairs Administration, and being a legislative assistant in
the Florida House of Representatives.
She currently serves as a board member of many local organizations,
including the Orlando Economic Partnership, the Heart of Florida United
Way, the Association of Latino Professionals for America, and the
National Latino Peace Officer Association, among many others.
Her work ethic and commitment to her community has been recognized
with numerous awards and recognitions, including Orlando Business
Journal's 40 under 40, Women Who Mean Business Awards, Telemundo's
Triunfadores, La Prensa's Hispanic Women Who Make a Difference
Award, Orange County Sheriff's Community Service Award, Orlando Police
Department's Good Citizenship, and she was named one of the 25 Most
Influential Hispanics by HCCMO's Vision Magazine.
For that, Ms. Gaby Ortigoni, we honor you.
In Honor of Iluminada Aponte
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I
recognize Iluminada Aponte.
Iluminada Aponte was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and
has called the United States home for over six decades. Iluminada is a
self-taught folk artist whose career has taken her first to Puerto Rico
and then Florida.
Iluminada's career first started with folk dance--Baile Folklorico.
She performs both Puerto Rican and Dominican folk dance. From Puerto
Rican bomba to Dominican bachata, Iluminada has not only been a
performer, but also a dance teacher. Her passion for teaching folk
dance inspires people of all ages, and she has made it her
responsibility to advocate for and help educate various Hispanic groups
through dance and cultural exhibitions.
Iluminada's career has been one of strengthening communities through
cultural celebrations. She considers herself a cultural ambassador, not
only for her native Dominican Republic, but also for the entire
Hispanic community. Her early experience as a missionary across Latin
America has inspired her to connect people to each other by celebrating
cultural diversity.
Iluminada's commitment to promoting culture and the arts is not only
seen in the diversity of her works but also in her leadership within
the community. Iluminada is the founder of Alianza Dominicana of
Central Florida, where she organizes and directs various cultural
exhibitions highlighting Dominican and Hispanic culture to various
groups within Central Florida. She has been recognized with awards from
the Orange County government, the City of Orlando government, the
Counsel General of the Dominican Republic in Miami, and more.
For that, Ms. Iluminada Aponte, we honor you.
In Honor of Father Jose Rodriguez
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I
recognize Father Jose Rodriguez.
Father Jose Rodriguez is a vicar of the Iglesia Episcopal Jesus de
Nazaret in Orange County, Florida.
Originally from Puerto Rico, he arrived with his family to Azalea
Park in 1987 and has been part of that community now for over three
decades.
He learned from his parents the importance of service and advocating
for others. His father was a soldier, and his mother, a shop steward
for UNITE HERE Local 737 at Walt Disney World.
He was the first in his family to go to college. He graduated from
Rollins College with a BA and the University of Central Florida with an
MBA. For many years, he served as the Episcopal chaplain to the
University of Central Florida, where he and his wife served local
students and young adults for nearly a decade.
In 2017, he was assigned to Iglesia Episcopal Jesus de Nazaret, just
months before Hurricanes Irma and Maria. For both storms, the local
church mobilized to meet the people's needs. Their work is far from
over.
Welcoming newcomers has been a hallmark of the local Episcopal Church
along the Semoran Corridor in Orlando and Kissimmee, including feeding
programs, advocacy for those in need as well. Father Jose and the local
church empower people to accomplish their goals by working with civic
and elected leaders to promote and remove barriers to equal access to
opportunity.
As a priest, Father Jose understands the unique role that religious
communities can play in the development of the greater community.
Preserving and upholding human dignity is at the heart of Father Jose
and the local church's work. His desire is to build up a resilient
community where families have access to safe communities, a living
wage, affordable housing, and healthcare.
For that, Father Jose Rodriguez, we honor you.
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In Honor of Marcos Vilar
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would
like to recognize Marcos Vilar.
Marcos Vilar was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and moved to the United
States mainland at the age of 14. He currently resides in Orlando,
Florida.
Marcos holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of
Maryland and a master's degree in education from the University of
Illinois. Marcos has worked in Chicago; Washington, D.C.; and several
cities in Florida; as well as in Puerto Rico, where he has designed and
implemented innovative and successful programs and campaigns in
government, labor, and nonprofit settings. He has worked on civic
engagement campaigns in Florida since 2011, focusing on the Puerto
Rican and Hispanic communities.
Marcos worked as a teacher in Chicago in the 1990s. During his tenure
at Roberto Community Academy, he was best known for working with at-
risk youth and integrating arts and cultural programming into
afterschool programs. He also was adviser for the student body
government and a leader of the local reform movement at the school.
In January of 2002, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he held
several national leadership posts, including national field director
for Que Nada Nos Detenga, executive director for Americas Families
United, national political director for the Service Employees
International Union, and national field director for Mi Familia Vota
Education Fund.
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Today, Marcos serves as president and executive director of Alianza
for Progress, Alianza Center, United for Progress PAC, and Vilar
Strategies, LLC. He is also the founder of two prominent statewide
Latino coalitions: Respeta Mi Gente and La Mesa Boricua.
For that, Mr. Marcos Vilar, we honor you.
In Honor of Julio Zayas
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would
like to recognize Julio Zayas.
Julio Zayas was born in Salinas, Puerto Rico, in 1948. He moved to
New York City in 1968, where he and his wife established their family
in the Bronx. He has four wonderful children, seven grandchildren, and
five great-grandchildren.
Julio studied at Hostos Community College and attended Cambridge
University's New York chapter, where he developed his skills as a radio
announcer and in advertisements. He was a member of several civic and
cultural organizations in the Bronx, including the Puerto Rican
Development Project, Alianza Civica Bayamonesa, the Salinas Club, and
the Puerto Rican Veterans Association of Seneca.
Julio became vice president of the Bronx Puerto Rican Parade and was
the founder and president of the Puerto Rican Bronx Fair and Puerto
Rican Week Festival. He worked as a consultant for the Bronx Coalition
for a Better Bronx and the Soundview Community in Action as the
outreach coordinator and publisher. A successful small business owner,
Julio was also a poll inspector for the Bronx Board of Election.
In 2012, Julio retired to Orlando, Florida. He continued his
community involvement as a volunteer with several Puerto Rican activist
organizations, including: Frente 436, Iniciativa Accion Puertorriquena,
Coordinadora Ayuda Solidaridad y Apoyo, Vamos por Puerto Rico, and is
the founder and president of Comite Preservacion Cultura
Puertorriquena.
Currently, he is the producer of his own radio show, Con Sabor
Boricua Proyecto Radial. Julio is looking forward to other projects in
the future to empower the Puerto Rican community in central Florida.
For that, Mr. Julio Zayas, we honor you.
In Honor of Wanda Ramos
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would
like to recognize Ms. Wanda Ramos.
Ms. Wanda Ramos was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She moved to
Orlando, Florida, in 1999 and became involved in fighting for workers'
rights, empowering new voters, and creating awareness about the
importance of parental involvement in education.
Wanda has been a board member of various organizations, such as: Jobs
with Justice, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Community
Legal Services of Mid-Florida, and the Legal Advocacy Center of Central
Florida.
While working as a retailer, Wanda organized workers to achieve
better working conditions and better pay. She was a founding member of
Vamos4PR Florida and Pa'lante Por Mas. Recently, she became a statewide
board member of Organize Florida.
As a founding member of Vamos Por Puerto Rico, she helped to
spearhead the campaign Se Habla Espanol to petition the Orange County
Public Schools to provide language access to non-English-speaking
parents and students. She also advocated for the families arriving from
Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to better understand and properly
enroll their kids in school.
Wanda was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 2015 for Orange County
District 3 after organizing neighbors in their efforts to improve their
community. Wanda continues to support our community through radio shows
as well as her online program ``Wanda Contigo,'' bringing awareness
about community issues.
For that, Ms. Wanda Ramos, we honor you.
In Honor of Jose Rodriguez
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would
like to recognize Jose Rodriguez.
Jose Rodriguez arrived in Palmetto, Florida, at the age of 12 from El
Salvador. While attending school, he recalls being pulled out of
regular class for 2 hours a day to practice English.
During his first 5 years in the United States, Mr. Rodriguez and his
family were migrant farmworkers, living 9 months in Florida and 3
months up north, following the crops with the help of the Summer
Migrant Institute held in Tampa at the University of South Florida.
Mr. Rodriguez graduated early from high school, in the top 10 percent
of his class. He was the first Hispanic person in Manatee County to be
accepted into a 4-year university, where he earned his associate's
degree.
Mr. Rodriguez has worked as a general manager and on-air personality
for La Que Buena, a regional Mexican radio station in Orlando. As part
of his work, he makes sure to give airtime to nonprofit organizations
and elected officials that support the immigrant community. While
sharing his passion for music with his listeners, Mr. Rodriguez always
keeps central Floridians informed on community resources like food
drives, housing assistance, COVID-19 testing sites, and much more.
Mr. Rodriguez also serves on the leadership committee of the
Farmworkers Association of Florida. He draws his inspiration from his
community, his two beautiful daughters, and his late wife.
For that, Mr. Jose Rodriguez, we honor you.
In Honor of Dr. Antonio Crespo
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would
like to recognize Dr. Antonio Crespo.
Dr. Antonio Crespo is an infectious disease specialist in central
Florida with over 18 years of experience in his field. In May of 2014,
he led the team that cared for the second case of Middle Eastern
respiratory syndrome, MERS, in the United States. Currently, he is part
of the team that has prepared and managed the COVID-19 pandemic,
helping many in the Orlando community.
He first earned his medical degree from Universidad Central de
Venezuela and later moved to the United States to continue his
education. He completed his residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center
and infectious disease training at Temple University, both in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Since 2002, he has been part of the infectious disease team at
Orlando Health, where he now serves as the chief of staff and the
medical director of infectious diseases at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital.
He has received several Attending of the Year awards and frequently
appears among Orlando's Best Doctors. In 2012, he received the Lifetime
Exemplary Physician Colleague Award given by Orlando Health.
Dr. Crespo also takes time to serve as a clinical instructor at the
Florida State University College of Medicine and as the new program
director of the Infectious Disease Fellowship at Orlando Health. His
passion for teaching new generations has inspired many on the path of
infectious diseases so that more doctors might continue the fight
against these elusive enemies.
For that, Dr. Antonio Crespo, we honor you.
In Honor of Pamela and Estela Juarez
Mr. SOTO. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would like to
recognize Pamela and Estela Juarez.
For nearly 20 years, Cuauhtemoc ``Temo'' Juarez and his wife,
Alejandra Juarez, worked together to build and sustain their American
Dream in Polk County, Florida.
Mr. Juarez, a naturalized U.S. citizen, grew up in Osceola County and
enlisted in the United States Marine Corps right after graduating from
high school. He would later reenlist in the United States Army Reserve.
After his honorable discharge from the Marines, he came home, started
his own flooring business, and met and married Mrs. Alejandra Juarez.
Together, they worked hard to make their business a success. They built
a home, joined a church, volunteered to help the less fortunate, and
had two beautiful daughters, Pamela and Estela.
Two years ago, their dreams were shattered when Mrs. Juarez was
deported under the current administration's zero-tolerance policy.
Despite the roots she set up, despite her husband's brave and honorable
service, despite the fact that her husband and two
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daughters are U.S. citizens, she was forced to return to Mexico in
August of 2018.
Pamela is now 18. She recently graduated from high school with
honors, has started online college classes, and plans to become a
social worker. She has campaigned to build grassroots support for the
families of military veterans who, like hers, have lost a family member
to a cruel immigration policy. This November, she will vote for the
first time.
Estela, 11 years old, lived with her mom in Mexico but is now back in
Florida, where she just started the sixth grade. She is following in
the footsteps of civil rights leader John Lewis, whose book ``March''
inspired her. Estela is now working on a picture book about her
struggle to reunite her family.
Both young women have suffered enormously because of the trauma their
family has endured. They and their family have been working hard to
bring their mother home and will continue to do so until they are
united again.
For that, Pamela and Estela Juarez, we honor you.
In Support of the Digital Taxonomy Act and the Blockchain Innovation
Act
Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased that the House passed,
as part of the Consumer Safety Inspection Enhancement Act, two pieces
of legislation that we were able to offer in the Energy and Commerce
Committee, the Digital Taxonomy Act, H.R. 2154, and the Blockchain
Innovation Act, H.R. 8153.
We were very pleased to work in a bipartisan fashion to secure the
inclusion of these two bills. Both bills will study and highlight the
consumer protection aspects of blockchain technology and digital
assets. They are the first blockchain bills to pass the House.
H.R. 8153, the Blockchain Innovation Act, directs the Department of
Commerce, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, to conduct
a study and submit to the Congress a report on the state of blockchain
technology in commerce, including its use to reduce fraud and increase
security. It is setting up a larger long-term goal that we have to
establish a blockchain center of excellence within the Commerce
Department.
Blockchain has enormous potential for innovation and economic growth.
I believe, as government officials, we need to support that growth and
enable its appropriate use for government business and consumers. We
will continue to push until we have these policy objectives put into
law with proper regulations so we can best position ourselves to be
leaders in this space, especially when we see rivals like China and
Russia pushing in these technologies.
The Digital Taxonomy Act requires the FCC to submit a report to
Congress about recommendations on unfair and deceptive trade practices
and other practices related to digital tokens.
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Specifically, the report asked the FTC to make legislative
recommendations for how to further protect consumers and promotion and
innovation in the global digital token sector.
I look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues, both in the
Energy and Commerce Committee and throughout the Congress, to help make
sure we keep a competitive edge in blockchain for both digital security
and for cryptocurrency and to enhance the use of artificial
intelligence in the future.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Pallone, Chairwoman
Schakowsky, Representative McNerney, and the committee for allowing me
to incorporate these two bills.
We appreciate Representative Rodgers, Representative Guthrie, and
Representative Matsui, as well as our original cosponsor,
Representative Davidson, for all of their hard work.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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