[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 17, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1494-H1496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING WOMEN'S 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 16 minutes, half the time remaining until 10:00 p.m.
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I would 
like to recognize Sami Haiman-Marrero.
  Sami Haiman-Marrero is the president and CEO of URBANDER, a firm that 
assists the corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors in overcoming 
diversity, equity, inclusion, and multicultural marketing challenges.
  Under Sami's leadership, URBANDER received the Orlando Business 
Journal's 2020 Diversity in Business Helping Hand Award for their work 
impacting underrepresented and underserved communities.
  Sami's career started in New York City over 25 years ago in public 
relations, marketing, and publishing. Her career highlights include 
handling the first-ever Spanish-language U.S. Presidential media 
campaign in 1996, which led to winning the highly coveted Hispanic 
vote, becoming the publisher of a national Hispanic magazine, and being 
interviewed on the U.S. Latino experience by The Wall Street Journal, 
El Nuevo Dia, Huffington Post, MSNBC, Florida Trend, NBCNews.com, and 
Canada's CBC News.
  Haiman-Marrero earned a master's in communications from the 
University of Puerto Rico and was recognized in 2016 as one of Vision 
Magazine's 25 Most Influential Hispanics in Central Florida. She has 
served on prestigious boards such as Visit Orlando, United Arts, 
Hispanic American Professional Business Women's Association, and 
Prospera's technical assistance committee.
  In 2017, after Hurricane Maria devastated her beloved Puerto Rico, 
Sami launched a nonprofit called SOS by URBANDER. SOS creates and 
implements culturally competent social mobility programs such as 
Talleres de Bienvenida, The Azalea Project, and job readiness training.

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  SOS is also the Del Ambiente, and Gender Advancement Project's fiscal 
sponsor, which supports LGBTQ-plus people of color.
  In 2019, Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero appointed 
Sami to the county's Arts and Culture Council, where she serves as 
chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. She was also 
an official delegate of the Second Annual Latino Leadership Summit held 
at the United Nations by the We Are All Human organization.
  For this and more, Ms. Maiman-Marrero, we honor you.


                    Honoring Wendy Coschignano Ford

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I would 
like to recognize Wendy Coschignano Ford.
  Wendy Coschignano Ford was appointed the chief executive officer for 
the Osceola Council on Aging in 2019. Wendy's career with the OCOA is 
expansive, spending the past 20 years in key positions within the 
council, including serving as the director housing and finance.
  During the past two decades, Wendy's multidisciplinary approach led 
to her appointment to the agency's top position. She effectively 
managed six separate housing communities and successfully developed, 
negotiated, and managed many commercial contracts while leading the 
implementation of strategic planning and marketing strategies.
  Since 2019, OCOA a has seen exponential increases in sustainable 
operations, collaborations with the Osceola and central Florida 
community, and new initiatives, which have increased revenue, client 
satisfaction, profitability, and reimbursement growth.
  The Osceola Council on Aging's mission is to provide services to 
enable independence and self-sufficiency with Osceola County seniors, 
disabled adults, disadvantaged individuals, and impoverished families.
  Wendy's colleagues state she is always committed to ``achieving the 
highest standards of performance and leadership'' while embodying the 
heart of the council's mission.
  Wendy is a graduate of the University of Central Florida's business 
school, and will be completing her MBA degree in July of this year. 
Wendy holds Housing and Urban Development certifications with Assistant 
Housing Manager and Housing Credit Certified Professional designations.
  She was recently awarded two Certificates of Achievement from HUD for 
Superior Real Estate Assessment Center Outcomes; recognized for 
implementing the `Senior/Kid Companion' program at the State of Florida 
National Community Service Conference, a recognition designated by 
former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
  Further, Wendy is a member of the Kissimmee Police Department's Crime 
Free initiative program, and a graduate of the University of Florida's 
LeadingAge Leadership Academy in 2009, along with Leadership Osceola 
2019.
  Wendy has been married to her husband, Chip, for 11 years. She has 
two children and two grandchildren.
  For this and more, Wendy Coschignano Ford, we honor you.


                       Honoring Vianca McCluskey

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I would 
like to recognize Vianca McCluskey.
  Vianca is the administrator at the Florida Department of Health in 
Osceola County. She spent more than 20 years of public health 
experience with 15 years dedicated to leading health departments and 
federally qualified health centers.
  During her career, she has collaborated with county governments, 
governing boards, and community partners to address health issues and 
ensure the provision of programs and services for vulnerable 
populations.
  Her public health career began in Tennessee, where she was the 
State's first African-American county health deputy director. She 
directed operations at one of the largest rural health departments, 
which received recognition for its diabetes and community-wide weight 
loss programs.
  After accepting the executive director position with Primary Care 
Medical Services of Poinciana, a federally qualified health center 
operated by the health department, she relocated to Osceola County in 
2008, with her husband, Dale, and son, Jackson. She oversaw the Federal 
Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA, grant and the 
delivery of comprehensive culturally competent healthcare and dental 
healthcare services to the community.
  In 2012, she accepted a leadership position with the Community Health 
Centers, Inc., to oversee multispecialty sites serving vulnerable and 
underserved populations.
  In 2018, she returned to the Florida Department of Health in Osceola 
County as the administrator. She is currently leading the agency 
through an

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unprecedented and extended response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She and 
her dedicated team at the health department have worked tirelessly to 
maintain essential public health services during a large-scale 
emergency response effort.
  She continues to work closely with community partners to mitigate the 
impact of COVID-19 in Osceola County, Florida. She is a member of the 
National Association of County and City Health Officials, Florida 
Public Health Association, Health Leadership Council, AdventHealth 
Kissimmee Advisory Council, and Osceola County Council on Aging board.
  For this and more, Ms. Vianca McCluskey, we honor you.


                         Honoring Rhonda Wilson

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I would 
like to recognize Rhonda Wilson.
  Ms. Rhonda Wilson, who has her MS, MBA, and MS, is a victims service 
administrator with over 32 years of professional nonprofit criminal 
justice and military experience. She has earned three graduate degrees: 
A master of human services with a criminal justice specialization, a 
master of business administration, and a master of administration in 
justice and security.
  Since 2009, Rhonda has been a leader for the Victims Service Center 
of Central Florida, where she has worked as a victim advocate and 
crisis counselor, community education coordinator, and, most recently, 
as an advocacy services supervisor where she oversees 10 master's level 
crisis counselors and interns.

  Prior to her work with the Victims Service Center, Ms. Wilson proudly 
served in the United States Navy for 20 years, specializing in military 
justice. She took that knowledge and experience and, upon retiring from 
the Navy, served as the director of an 88-bed residential reentry 
center helping Federal inmates transition back into the community.
  Rhonda has extensive training related to sexual assault and assisting 
victims of crime. She is a member of the Sexual Assault Response Team 
and the Florida Crisis Response Team. She was one of the initial first 
responders in the aftermath of the Pulse mass shooting tragedy and is 
often called upon to provide emotional support to law enforcement 
professionals when impacted by violence.
  Rhonda is a respected leader and professional in the field of victim 
services and was recognized as Victim Advocate of the Year in 2017 by 
Central Florida Victim Services Network.
  For this and more, Ms. Rhonda Wilson, we honor you.


                     Honoring Esther Sanchez Colon

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I would 
like to recognize Esther Sanchez Colon.
  At the age of 17, Esther Sanchez Colon began her healthcare journey 
as a secretary for a medical services and transport company in Puerto 
Rico. Her interest was sparked through each EMS call, which offered her 
a chance to help a person or family in need.
  She eventually became a dispatcher and discovered her passion for 
caring for others was her calling, not just a career focus. The 
paramedics she worked with encouraged her to follow that passion, and, 
in 2000, she became a registered nurse.
  Esther Sanchez Colon now lives in Florida and is a clinical 
coordinator in Poinciana's Medical Center's emergency department. She 
has been with the hospital for more than 7 years and demonstrates 
exceptional leadership, both with the Poinciana ER and the Poinciana 
area community.
  Esther serves as a pastor in her church and is currently finishing 
her doctorate in ministry. Specializing in both nursing and ministry 
has helped her be an uplifting resource for patients and their families 
in their time of need.
  Because of her immeasurable compassion and efforts to make a positive 
impact in the lives of others, she received The DAISY Award for 
Extraordinary Nurses in 2018. Today, her dedication to helping others 
is stronger than ever, and she feels blessed to be of service during 
difficult times.
  From supporting her colleagues to caring for patients and their 
families, she continues to excel in her role and live out the HCA 
healthcare mission, ``Above all else, we are committed to the care and 
improvement of human life.''
  For this and more, Ms. Esther Sanchez Colon, we honor you.


                    honoring belinda johnson-cornett

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I would 
like to recognize Belinda Johnson-Cornett, who has her MS, RN-BC, and 
MBA.
  Ms. Belinda Johnson-Cornett is a board-certified registered nurse 
with years of experience in the healthcare industry as a practitioner 
and healthcare executive.
  She has earned a master of science and master of business 
administration degree. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in 
business.
  During the 2008 through 2017 period, she served as the administrator 
and health officer and chief executive officer of the combined Florida 
Department of Health in Osceola County and Osceola Community Health 
Services. She remained as chief executive officer of Osceola Community 
Health Services as the agency transitioned in 2017 to a private, 
nonprofit federally qualified health center.
  Ms. Johnson-Cornett is recognized as a dedicated health advocate, 
having led many initiatives to increase healthcare access for uninsured 
and underserved populations. She is a strong supporter of decreasing 
health disparities by improving social determinants of health for at-
risk populations.
  She has worked tirelessly to advance community partner engagement in 
collaborative strategies to improve healthcare access and enhance 
community resources.
  Her leadership was the key driver in 2010 in mobilizing community 
partners from health, business, government, elected officials, 
community organizations, faith-based and involved citizenry in an 
Osceola Health Summit, which continues as an annual event.
  Ms. Johnson-Cornett has had numerous achievements and recognitions, 
some of which include the National Leadership Academy for Public 
Health's 2012 Inaugural Leadership Program; selection as Florida's 
Outstanding Women in Public Health in 2014; a 2019 inaugural graduate 
of the National Association of County and City Health Officials Survive 
and Thrive Fellowship; and Osceola County's Lieutenant Lloyd Burton, 
Jr., Service Award in 2020.
  Ms. Johnson-Cornett's leadership has brought many tangible results 
into Osceola County, including $8.3 million in Federal capital 
improvement funding in 2011, $5.5 million in resources for the 
disadvantaged minority community of Marydia, and many millions in 
Federal and private grant funding.
  For this and more, Ms. Belinda Johnson-Cornett, we honor you.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will suspend.
  Seeing no other Members seeking recognition, the Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto) for the remainder of the half hour, 
14 minutes.


                         Honoring Ann Claussen

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I would 
like to recognize Ann Claussen.
  Ann Claussen has served in various leadership positions for 29 years 
in Polk County, Florida. During her career with State Farm Insurance 
Company, she has held many different leadership positions in the life 
and health company, and served as the credit union manager for 9 years, 
overseeing a $240 million credit union with 1,100 members throughout 
the State of Florida.

  In January 2014, Ms. Claussen took a leap of faith to start her new 
career as the CEO of Central Florida Healthcare. Serving in this role 
has allowed her to follow her lifelong passion for making a difference 
in her community by providing a patient-centered medical home to over 
56,000 patients.
  With growth in 14 clinics and 500 employees, Ms. Claussen's passion 
for serving her community is demonstrated each day by her genuine 
compassion to be a servant leader. With an understanding of building 
relationships and partnering for a healthier community, she serves on 
the United Way board, Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, and other 
boards and committees to ensure that our communities are working 
together in providing quality healthcare for everyone, regardless of 
their ability to pay.

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  Ms. Claussen's goal is to continue to focus on expanding healthcare 
and creating a positive work environment surrounded by people who share 
her passion for making a difference in our community.
  With her caring heart, she leads by example and has been instrumental 
in partnering with other community leaders who have the same passion to 
serve.
  Ann is married to Jim and has two sons, Justin and Ryan.
  For this and more, Ms. Ann Claussen, we honor you.

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                         Honoring Jennie Cyran

  Mr. SOTO. In honor of Women's History Month, I would like to 
recognize Jennie Cyran.
  Ms. Jennie Cyran, a resident of Haines City, currently serves as a 
5th grade English language arts teacher in Polk County Public Schools. 
She transferred schools to help overcome turnaround status and provide 
a consistent, quality education to all students.
  She is an accomplished visionary leader with 5 years of teaching 
experience in Polk County. She stops at nothing to advocate for what is 
best for her students and teachers all over the State of Florida.
  Some of Ms. Cyran's most notable accomplishments in education include 
being named to NPR's Best Commencement Speeches Ever list in 2014 for 
her graduation speech from Niagara University; being nominated for the 
Touchdown for Teachers award in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2016, given by the 
National Football League's Buffalo Bills for dedication to the 
community in which she lived; the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award from 
Niagara University, New York; and the Polk County Teacher of the Year 
award for 2019.
  Since moving to Florida, she became very involved in Polk County 
Special Olympics and has helped coach sports such as bowling, softball, 
swimming, and bocce. She plays unified sports with her brother, Philip, 
who has autism. Unified sports gives the opportunity to teach 
acceptance through competitive play while mentoring athletes who have a 
cognitive disability so that they can build relationships with others 
and be more successful in everyday life. In the summer of 2018, she was 
named Polk County's Most Inspirational Unified Partner of the Year.
  Ms. Cyran is currently completing her doctorate in educational 
leadership from Florida Southern College and aspires to be a principal 
someday. She is a living example of Rita Pearson's quote: ``Every child 
deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who 
understands the power of connection and insists that they become the 
best they can possibly be.''
  For this and more, Ms. Jennie Cyran, we honor you.


                         Honoring Amaya Brannon

  Mr. SOTO. In honor of Women's History Month, I would like to 
recognize Amaya Brannon.
  Amaya Brannon is a 10-year-old resident of Auburndale, Florida, and 
an active, energetic, and personable young woman in the community.
  She lives with her aunt Michelle and uncle Brian, along with her 
sisters, Shianna and Jayla. She enjoys playing soccer, dancing with her 
sisters, practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu with her uncle Brian, and being 
active outdoors.
  As a straight-A student in Code Academy in Lakeland, she participates 
in multiple school activities, including the Fuel Up to Play 60 
program.
  Amaya has aspirations of a future career in public relations or 
reporting, all while honing her skills as an artist. She has a heart 
for giving and helping others in the world.
  Most recently, Amaya represented her community as the NFL PLAY 60 
Super Kid Ambassador and the Good Morning America Super Bowl Kid 
Correspondent. She received VIP access during Super Bowl week. 
Throughout the week, she interviewed players from both teams, hosted a 
virtual Kids Play Day, was interviewed live on the Taste of the NFL 
show, practiced with the Buccaneers cheerleaders, and was featured 
during the second half the Super Bowl. Amaya also reported multiple 
times throughout the week about her experience live on GMA.
  In her heart for helping and leading others, Amaya has pledged to eat 
healthy and move 60 minutes each day. Despite the unique year and even 
bad weather, she has been able to remain active. Amaya believes: ``If 
you are healthy and active, you can achieve great goals in life.''
  For this and more, Miss Amaya Brannon, we honor you.


                     Honoring Francisco H. De Jesus

  Mr. SOTO. In honor of National Borinqueneers Day on April 13, I would 
like to recognize Francisco H. De Jesus.
  Francisco H. De Jesus was born on March 9, 1924, in the small town of 
Penuelas, Puerto Rico. In 1950, he was one of the Borinqueneers that 
was deployed to the Korean war on the USNS Marine Lynx. Francisco 
served for 1 year in the Korean war and then transferred to Panama for 
a tour as a Military Police member.
  Upon completing his active service, Francisco returned to Puerto 
Rico, rejoining his young family in San Juan. He was an entrepreneur, 
pursuing numerous business ventures before establishing a very well-
known men's store called Heryck's Men's Store in Caparra Terrace.
  In 1976, Francisco sold his beloved store and moved his family to 
Orlando, Florida. For 20 years, Francisco worked for the Orange County 
School Board as a community liaison in the immigration department. He 
played a pivotal role in registering migrant families and their 
children to enable attendance at local schools during the year.
  Francisco is a beloved husband, father of seven children, grandfather 
of 14, and great-grandfather of 16. He is still an avid storyteller, 
loves listening to music, and is great dominoes player.
  Francisco recently celebrated his 97th birthday in Orlando, Florida.
  For this and more, Mr. Francisco H. De Jesus, we honor you.


              Honoring the Life of Officer Kevin Valencia

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Officer 
Kevin Valencia of the Orlando Police Department, who was a courageous 
and heroic officer, a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
  On June 11, 2018, Officer Kevin Valencia was shot and critically 
injured while responding to a domestic violence call where a deranged 
individual took his own life after killing four children and shooting 
Officer Valencia.
  Officer Valencia risked his life for people he didn't even know, a 
risk that many in the law enforcement profession take every day without 
question. Since that tragic night, Officer Valencia has been fighting 
for his life with his family by his side.

  Regretfully, Officer Valencia passed away this week on March 15, 
2021, after succumbing to the injuries he sustained.
  Officer Kevin Valencia will be remembered by his loved ones as a 
hero, who selflessly gave to others and always had the best humor.
  He is survived by his wife, Meghan Valencia, and their two sons, 
Kaleb and Kolton.
  Thank you, Kevin Valencia, officer of OPD, for your great sacrifices. 
We mourn your passing, and may you rest in peace.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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