[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 186 (Friday, October 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING JOHN CORTES AS A DEDICATED LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 30, 2020

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, John Cortes is currently a state 
representative for the Florida House, District 43. His tenure will come 
to an end on November 3, 2020. He served three terms, elected to the 
Florida House of Representatives in 2014, reelected subsequently. He 
was Democratic Deputy Whip 2016 to 2018. His committee assignments 
included Government Operations and Appropriations Subcommittee, 
Democratic Ranking Member, Children and Families and Seniors 
Subcommittee, Health and Human Services Committee, and the Ways and 
Means Committee. John Cortes went on to cosponsor many successful bills 
along with his colleagues. His sponsored bills did not make fruition, 
but John continued to fight and advocate for his constituents. His 
record on how he voted in Tallahassee was exemplary, earning him an A 
rating each time.
  Before serving as a state representative, John Cortes is a retired 
New York City Corrections Officer since 1997, and served 16 years. John 
was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Puerto Rico. He graduated 
from Pedro Albizu Campos High School and attended John Jay College of 
Criminal Justice in New York, majoring in Forensic Science for two 
years.
  John Cortes, married 39 years to his loving wife, Caridad, relocated 
to Florida from New York, making Osceola County their home. They have 
two adult children, Caridad Esther and John Paul, and a beautiful 
granddaughter, Jayda.
  During his time as a state representative, John never lost sight of 
where he came from and the people he served. His motto, local, vocal, 
and approachable, was part of who he is. John is always available to 
listen to the needs of his constituents and advocate on their behalf. 
John knows all too well the plight of those struggling to make a better 
life. He is living proof that anyone can be what they set their minds 
to be and be successful.

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