[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H371-H374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING ELOISE ABRAHAMS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Soto) for 30 minutes.
  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to honor Eloise Abrahams.
  Eloise Abrahams is an RN, BS, LNHA, and she is the executive director 
for Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Orlando, 
Florida.
  With over 35 years of experience in healthcare, Mrs. Abrahams knew 
working with seniors was her passion. Championed as the first African-
American director of clinical services and the first African-American 
licensed nursing home administrator in Volusia County, she 
strategically led her team to receive the decade of excellence award 
from AHCA for exemplary nursing and rehabilitation care and services.
  Certified as a preceptor in Florida, Eloise takes pride in mentoring 
and training students, particularly African Americans aspiring to 
become licensed nursing home administrators.
  Eloise has received numerous accolades for her stellar leadership, 
including State and national awards for exemplary care. She was also 
honored in ONYX magazine as Woman on the Move. Abrahams plays an active 
role in her church and is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 
She serves on several boards of directors and is currently president of 
the Central Florida Black Nurses Association of Orlando, Inc.
  Leading her team through one of the most challenging years in LTC 
history due to COVID-19, with the support from the GC Board of 
Directors and Synergy HealthCare Management, she continues to possess a 
deep passion for providing the highest quality of care.
  Abrahams is deeply passionate about the quality of healthcare 
directed towards seniors and those less fortunate, and has demonstrated 
continuous commitment to this cause.
  In addition to being involved in her work and her community, she is 
very family-oriented and understands the need to balance her life. She 
spends quality time with her beautiful, blended family and her husband 
of 29 years.
  For that and more, Eloise Abrahams, we honor you.

                              {time}  2100


                       Honoring Gloria R. Emanuel

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to honor Gloria R. Emanuel.
  Gloria R. Emanuel is currently the senior accountant for financial 
reporting for the City of St. Cloud. Gloria is responsible for project 
accounting, debt obligations, and monitoring the compliance of debt 
covenants.
  In her role, Gloria assists the finance director in the refinancing 
of existing debt. She also handles the issuance of new debt and works 
to ensure the timely payment of debt services for all bonds for the 
City of St. Cloud.
  Further, Gloria analyzes and records transactions for the pension 
trust funds for both general and police and firefighters' plans.
  Gloria also holds the responsibility of preparing several local 
financial reports, including the State Annual Local Government 
Financial Report, AFR, the State Annual Police and Firefighters' 
Pension Report, and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
  Gloria has been employed with the City of St. Cloud for over 32 
years, progressing from the position of senior account clerk to her 
present position of senior accountant-financial reporting. She has had 
exposure to almost all phases, including the city's financial workings 
of fixed asset accounting and grant accounting and budgeting.
  Gloria has also served as the treasurer of a variety of organizations 
and campaigns, including the Osceola branch of the NAACP and an elected 
city commissioner's campaign.
  Gloria received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration-Finance 
from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. She became a 
certified government finance officer in 2012.
  Currently, Gloria is a member of the Government Finance Officers 
Association and its local chapters, such as the Florida Government 
Finance Officers Association.
  Gloria has been married for 31 years and is the proud parent of two 
wonderful children and a pet tortoise named Pearl.
  For that and more, Ms. Gloria R. Emanuel, we honor you.


                         Honoring Allison Kirby

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to recognize Allison Kirby.
  Allison Kirby has proudly served as the principal of Jones High 
School for the past 4 years. She is proud of her experience as an 
English teacher, librarian, and assistant principal, experiences that 
she feels have helped her become a strong leader for Jones High School 
students.
  Kirby's dream is to create an environment where all children feel 
loved and adequately prepared to tackle adulthood and higher education. 
Her passion for helping young people comes from her grandmother, who 
served as a

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high school English teacher in a segregated school. Her grandmother's 
passion for her students helped instill a sense of obligation and 
devotion to education within Kirby's heart.
  In its early years, Jones High School was the only public high school 
for African Americans. However, the high school is now open to all 
students, and Kirby is devoted to ensuring that the environment only 
grows to be more inclusive to students.
  In her efforts to promote educational opportunities for students, Ms. 
Kirby has led the school in becoming an official community partnership 
school, revamping the Medical Magnet Program to produce licensed 
practical nurses and include a Junior Law Enforcement Academy.
  Ask anyone at Jones High and they will tell you they are, ``history 
in the making.''
  Outside of her work, Ms. Kirby happily lives in downtown Orlando with 
her husband, Dan, and her daughter, Ileana.
  For that and more, Ms. Allison Kirby, we honor you.


                        Honoring Joshua J. Myers

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to recognize Joshua J. Myers.
  Joshua J. Myers is a not-for-profit leader with over 14 years of 
marketing communications, fundraising, and sales management experience. 
Throughout his career, Joshua has been featured as a commentator for 
print, radio and television, and other mediums promoting health 
education and disease prevention.
  Through his work, Joshua seeks to promote his passion for connecting 
people to health and wellness resources that improve their lives, 
especially those disproportionately affected by health disparities.
  Currently, Joshua serves as the Development and Communications 
Director at Hope and Health Center of Central Florida, Inc., a medical 
clinic with operations throughout Florida.
  Joshua holds a bachelor's degree in theater and communications from 
the College at Brockport, SUNY, a master's in communications and media 
technologies from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and a master's 
in arts management from the University of Buffalo, SUNY, at which he 
was the Arthur A. Schomburg fellow.
  He currently resides in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and enjoys 
reading, cooking, fitness, and the beach.
  For that and more, Mr. Joshua J. Myers, we honor you.


                          Honoring Angela Eady

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to recognize Angela Eady.
  Angela Eady is a former city commissioner for the City of Kissimmee 
and a lifelong resident of Osceola County. She has been a champion for 
expanding access to affordable healthcare, enhancing education 
opportunities, and bringing higher-paying jobs to Kissimmee.
  In addition to serving as a former commissioner, Angela has nearly 30 
years' experience in the healthcare industry, where she currently works 
full-time for a major pharmaceutical distributor.
  In the past, she has served on the Osceola Planning Commission, the 
Osceola Charter Review Committee, the Osceola County Education 
Foundation, the local chapter of the NAACP, and the Caribbean American 
and Floridian Association.

  Angela currently serves in various organizations as a board member in 
the Osceola County Education Foundation, Community Vision, the Osceola 
County Chapter of the NAACP, the Caribbean American and Floridian 
Association, the Osceola County Chapter of the Democratic Executive 
Committee, and Organize Florida.
  Angela continues to assist veterans, advocate for affordable housing 
and combat homelessness. And in addition, Angela has received various 
awards for her community service, including the NAACP, the Mercy 
Foundation, the National Congress of Black Women, City of Kissimmee, 
the Caribbean and Floridian Association, and the Delta Omicron Omega 
Chapter.
  Public safety has always been a priority for Angela. She will 
continue to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement. 
Angela believes in equality for all; therefore, she will continue to 
fight for equal rights for all.
  Angela is the 10th of 12 children and the mother of one beautiful 
daughter. She has two precious granddaughters, Mariah and Brooklyn.
  Angela Eady has been in public service for most of her adult life and 
has spent countless hours volunteering to build a better community for 
all residents in the great city of Kissimmee.
  And for those reasons, Ms. Angela Eady, we honor you.


                     Honoring Dr. Cara Nelson-James

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to recognize Dr. Cara Nelson-James.
  Dr. Cara Nelson-James joined Central Florida as the chief medical 
officer in December of 2019. She obtained her medical degree at Nova 
Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort 
Lauderdale, Florida. Her residency training in family medicine was at 
North Broward Hospital's district affiliated Broward General Medical 
Center.
  Along with being a valuable member of the Central Florida Health Care 
team for over 14 years, she is also an associate clinical professor at 
Nova Southeastern University's Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of 
Osteopathic Medicine.
  Dr. Nelson-James continues to provide direct patient care at the 
Dundee Community Health Center 2 days a week. She has been instrumental 
in working with BayCare on the residency program in Polk County through 
Florida State University. She is an advocate for clinical education so 
students and residents can experience the heartfelt mission of 
community healthcare.
  During this challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Nelson-James has 
spearheaded efforts to provide testing for thousands of patients and 
vaccines to the 65 and older populations and HCW alike.
  Dr. Nelson-James is passionate about everyone having access to 
quality healthcare and bridging the gap in health equity. She has 
committed herself to empowering her patients to be active participants 
in their journey to health. She will always find a way to say yes to 
programs that benefit the community and are dedicated to the cause.
  Dr. Nelson-James is married with four children and lives in Winter 
Haven, Florida. In her spare time, she enjoys watching basketball, 
staying fit, and reading.
  For those reasons and more, Dr. Cara Nelson-James, we honor you.


                       Honoring Dr. Carolyn Pass

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to recognize Dr. Carolyn Pass.
  Dr. Carolyn Pass' leadership spans more than 35 years, beginning with 
serving as the president of the Minority Pre-Professional Association 
at the University of Florida, where she earned her B.S. in 
microbiology.
  As a medical student, she was a student health policy mentee in the 
late Senator Edward M. Kennedy's office. Dr. Pass also served as 
president and regional council member of the Student National Medical 
Association.
  In the final year of her master's program, she was awarded the 
highest honor bestowed at the University of Miami, being inducted into 
the Iron Arrow Honor Society.
  Dr. Pass' dedication to the community began in 2001 when she opened 
her primary care practice in Lake Wales, Florida. Before going into 
solo practice, she suffered from congestive heart failure and 
recuperated at home for 18 months after giving birth to her third 
child.
  Her dedication to providing quality care to her patients continued to 
flourish as she rose through the ranks of leadership at AdventHealth 
Lake Wales. While on staff for the past 20 years, she has served on 
every committee and has been elected three times as chairman of 
medicine. Currently, she is serving as the first Black female chief of 
staff.
  Dr. Pass' specialties include internal medicine, wound care, and 
hyperbaric medicine.
  Her passions are her three lovely children, Alexandra, who is a 
graduate student, and Nicholas and Christian, who are in college.
  For that and more, Dr. Carolyn Pass, we honor you.


                    Honoring Dr. Vincent Miller, II

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to recognize Dr. Vincent Miller.
  Dr. Vincent M. Miller, II, currently serves as a secondary math 
teacher at

[[Page H373]]

Winter Haven High School, and he was recently honored as the first 
Black male Polk County teacher of the year.
  Dr. Miller is a newly published author with one of the top-selling 
books on Amazon, ``21st Century Education Through the Lens of COVID-
19.''
  As an accomplished visionary leader in the academic sector with 10 
years in the Polk County school system, he has had many administrative 
roles, but found his love back in the classroom.
  Some of Dr. Miller's most notable accomplishments in education 
include decreasing academic suspension rates over 50 percent, 
establishing various innovative academic programs designed to energize 
academic offerings and enhance career and professional development 
outcomes for students.
  He holds a doctor of education in educational leadership from Lynn 
University, a master of business administration from Webster 
University, a bachelor of science from the University South Florida, 
and a music minor in vocal performance from the University of South 
Florida.
  Dr. Miller is known for his community work through his nonprofit, 
Filling the Lane. Filling the Lane's mission is to bridge the gaps 
between education, sports, arts, and community for at-risk youth. He is 
also known for performing locally and internationally in shows such as 
Porgy and Bess, and the Broadway production, KaTonga.
  He is very excited to be who honored here today. In the words of 
Disney: ``It's kind of fun to do the impossible.''
  For that and more, Dr. Vincent M. Miller, II, we honor you.


                        Honoring Jacqueline Byrd

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to recognize Jacqueline Byrd.
  Jacqueline Byrd is the superintendent of Polk County Public Schools, 
an educator, wife of Jason Byrd, Sr., and mother of Jason Byrd, Jr., 
and Jalyn Byrd. She was the first African-American superintendent of 
Polk County Public Schools. Through her continued focus on improving 
education for all students, she has become a role model for students, 
and is an advocate for educating all students, creating wraparound 
services to address meeting their needs and in removing barriers to 
allow for success.
  Jacqueline can be found visiting schools, talking to students, 
attending events, and advocating on behalf of her students through 
local community leaders. She loves spending time with her husband and 
family, even though many of these evenings are spent at school events.
  She is the youngest of six children of Eugene and Irene Hodges. Her 
siblings have always said: ``She should have been the oldest.''
  Her parents taught her that she would face challenges as an African-
American woman, but her independence, character, and integrity were 
important. She has passed these life lessons to both her children.
  Jacqueline is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and serves on 
various boards of directors within her community and State. As part of 
her service to the community, she served as a spokesperson for the 
National Bone Marrow Donor Program. In December of 2005, she donated 
bone marrow to a 12-year-old girl with sickle cell anemia.
  Jacqueline advocates for unselfish acts for the betterment of 
mankind.
  For that and more, Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd, we honor you.

                              {time}  2115


                      Honoring Josephine M. Howard

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would 
like to recognize Josephine Howard.
  As part of her life legacy, Josephine M. Howard has been achieving 
goals, setting high standards, teaching, learning, positively impacting 
lives, and committing to helping, mentoring, and inspiring the lives of 
children, adults, and the elderly.
  Desiring to be a teacher like her mother, Crizell, she grew up 
mentoring and tutoring her five siblings and neighborhood children. In 
the 1960s, Josephine graduated from Douglass High School with high 
honors and Florida College, cum laude, with a bachelor's degree in 
elementary education, and she subsequently began her teaching career.
  Josephine loved teaching but wanted to have a greater impact on more 
lives by empowering them with knowledge. Therefore, she went back to 
college and earned her master's of education, magna cum laude, from the 
University of Central Florida and an educational specialist degree, 
summa cum laude, at Nova Southeastern University, thus dedicating 38 
years of service to education, including 20 years as a principal.
  Josephine is a servant leader, lifetime member of the NAACP, has 
served as a member of the Horizon Housing board as treasurer, is the 
former CEO of Howard's Apparel, former chaplain of the NC100BW, board 
of trustees of Heart of Florida Hospital, Head Start Policy Council, 
and Who's Who Among Professional Women.
  She continues to serve as the first vice president deaconess at the 
New Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. She is actively involved in first 
Christian education directress appointed, praise ministry, mass choir, 
Sunday school teaching, and more.
  Her community service and leadership dedication have earned her 
numerous recognitions, honors, and media coverage. She received the Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award, Teacher of the 
Year, and Distinguished Volunteer Service Award.
  Josephine is married to her husband, Phillip, of 52 years and has two 
children, Jonita and Phillip II, and three grandchildren, Philip and 
twins Phillip III and Kennedy.
  For this and more, Josephine M. Howard, we honor you.


                   A Bird's Eye View to Insurrection

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a few minutes to talk 
about my personal account, like so many other Members have, on the day 
of January 6. I do so in a poetic, artistic form, with a poem, ``A 
Bird's Eye View to Insurrection.''

     The day started with the humdrum noises of a mundane process
     Mahogany boxes were presented, papers shuffled, and gavels 
           knocked,
     But the process of the day was everything,
     The hearing of voices, the counting of votes, the sum of 
           democracy.
     I had a bird's eye view from the gallery
     And on that day, we were in the final steps, the technocratic 
           certification, we were electing a President
     Meanwhile, at the Ellipse, at base camp, another scene ensued
     A President spewed hateful lies, violence was incited, and a 
           fuse was lit
     Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, stop
     Objections were raised, debates began, and passions heated
     A text reads Capitol Complex breaches
     I rest assured, I am in the safest place on Earth, for the 
           people's House has never fallen
     I call my wife to tell her we are safe
     No thought of danger permeates, I am convinced of my safety, 
           and I listen to more speeches
     A text reads Capitol Dome breached
     Pence and Pelosi, Hoyer and McCarthy, one-by-one they were 
           escorted out
     The debate continued, the people's representatives continued, 
           and Jim McGovern presided
     Debate yields to a prayer by the chaplain
     I am uneasy, fear is in the air, and the Members evacuate the 
           House floor
     We dozen or so remain in the gallery stranded
     Banging, banging, banging on the doors
     The insurrectionists are at the Chamber, gas masks are 
           deployed, and we are surrounded
     Welch and Gomez, Crow and DeLauro, Himes and Costa, Thompson, 
           Wild, Johnson, and I
     Together we flee, over chairs and under railings to the door
     We are trapped
     Bang, bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang! Get down! The orders 
           rang.
     Guns, flash bombs, teargas?
     Which sounds these were, I do not know, as Capitol Police 
           stood as sentinels to protect us
     Get down, get down again, so we did
     I lie flat, behind flimsy plastic seat coverings, no match 
           for bullets, contemplating my mortality
     I realize finally and truly in this moment I could die
     Army Rangers rise, we lawyers take cover, and old souls sit 
           relaxed, waiting peacefully, perhaps for the inevitable
     I am cerebral and imagining
     I do not even hear the gunshot, mortally wounding a terrorist 
           at the very door behind me, and the Chamber finally 
           defended with urgency
     Meanwhile, the Senate Chamber falls without a shot fired
     Police bang the doors, the doors bang back, who lurks on the 
           outside
     Confusion changes to clarity and now there's one, and only 
           one, way out
     Up we go and out the door, terrorists lay flat with guns 
           drawn upon them, as they look at us with killers' eyes

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     Democracy and I may die, but not today
     Down, down, down the stairs we go, cellphones light
     up, and the world sees proof of my life as I flee live on PBS
     This is absurd, fantastical, yet nonetheless very much 
           happening
     Down into the tunnels we go
     Flanked by guardians, we keep moving, Demings made it out, 
           too, and we rejoice
     Up, up, up the stairs we go
     We are in a room now, they describe it as safe, and we 
           congregate in herds like cattle
     I feel part relieved and uneasy
     Instigators and innocent, masked and maskless, Members and 
           staff, we wait together
     A community prayer ensues
     I call my wife, I have made it, at least I am mostly sure
     COVID-19 lurks as a silent killer in the room
     Partisan cliques form, realizations begin, and an awkward 
           casualness attempts to take hold
     Guilt, blame, excuses, and outrage begin to form
     Because of course we told you so, of course dangerous 
           rhetoric turns to violence, as the seeds of despicable 
           lies finally grow to insurrection
     I start to contemplate
     I am hungry, I am thirsty, and I am suspicious of certain 
           colleagues
     Gomez and I leave the safe room for our offices on gut 
           feelings alone
     I am vaccinated, I am eventually vindicated, as days later 
           some colleagues are sick with COVID-19
     Our colleagues gave it to them, maskless and without remorse
     I return to our Rayburn sanctuary, I am greeted with anxious 
           smiles, my staff is safe
     We share the events of the great happening, the terrible
     We watch the news, we see the mob in all its horror, and the 
           assailing of the Capitol walls
     We are in disbelief
     Capitol Police fight hand-to-hand combat, they are 
           outnumbered, and beaten by flags that say MAGA, Trump, 
           and back the blue
     There is a vicious irony
     Now hunger reminds us, snacks are procured, we eat creatively 
           in fellowship
     The hours go by in frightful minutes as our eyes remain glued 
           to the television
     Brave cooks open the cafeteria, police keep their posts, and 
           my staff remain safe in the Capitol offices with me
     We finally have a real meal
     The decision has been made, we will return to the Chamber, 
           and we will do our duty
     Arizona receives its objection and it goes down
     Arkansas, California, Colorado go by as Pence picks up 
           momentum
     We have a standoff on Pennsylvania
     Debates ensued, liars are called out and angered, a second 
           fight almost happens, but no one really wants to take 
           on NFL linebacker Colin Allred
     Midnight passes us as we wait
     I venture forth, I return to the scene of the crimes, and 
           again I watch the final mahogany boxes in motion
     West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Pence concludes his 
           remarks
     There is a slight mix of anger, disappointment, and 
           resoluteness in his face
     Pence fulfills his constitutional duty
     Speaker Pelosi smiles slightly, she is graceful and marks the 
           seriousness of the day's events
     A domestic terrorist plot has been foiled
     I am alive, the Congress is alive, and thank God Almighty, 
           democracy is alive
     America must remember this day, learn from it, lest we repeat 
           it

  Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________