[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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