[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2605-H2606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING NEWLYN WING
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. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Newlyn Wing.
Newlyn Wing is a current resident of Orlando, Florida, who over the
last 5 years has become a passionate advocate for building leadership
coalitions in the Asian-American and Orange County communities.
With a family history stemming from Michigan and Vietnamese refugees,
he grew up experiencing the individualistic and collectivistic cultures
of the United States and Vietnam. His upbringing created a belief
within Newlyn that our collective well-beings are tied to each other's
progress. He believes when our best individual efforts and perspectives
are shared, we can all progress forward.
This principle led him to pursue leadership positions and projects
with local and national nonprofits and associations. He holds roles as
the president of the National Association of Asian American
Professionals, Orlando chapter, and the chief strategy officer role
with the NAAAP national. Newlyn is passionate about strategies and
partnerships that give individuals a platform for building their
leadership and having a true impact in their industries and
communities.
In his work within the Orange County community, Newlyn has created
leadership programs for high school and college students, helped lead
voter education initiatives, and led efforts to increase the
representation of Asian American Pacific Islanders in community
leadership positions. He is grateful for the amazing leadership teams
he has been a part of and for the opportunity to serve his community.
Outside of his community volunteer work, Newlyn currently serves as
association manager for Junior Chamber International USA, a not-for-
profit organization of young active citizens. The JCI USA mission, to
provide development opportunities that empower young people to create
positive change, aligns with Newlyn's passion and background.
For this and more, Mr. Newlyn Wing, we honor you.
Honoring Adrian Lee
Mr. SOTO. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month, I would like to recognize Adrian Lee.
Adrian Lee is a senior undergraduate student at the University of
Central Florida, studying political science, with a track in
international affairs and a minor in human communications.
During her time at UCF, Adrian was involved in Asian-interest student
organizations, including the Asian Student Association, the Sparks
Magazine Chapter of UCF, and the Asian Pacific American Coalition.
As president of the Asian Pacific American Coalition, Adrian worked
with multiple executive student boards, administrative offices, and
community partners to amplify Asian-American issues and provide
networking opportunities.
She is most proud of introducing her new scholarships during UCF's
celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, recognizing the
creativity, leadership, and advocacy of APIDA students.
During her free time, Adrian enjoys painting and visiting local
restaurants of greater Orlando.
For this and more, Adrian Lee, we honor you.
Honoring Dr. Hefang Lin
Mr. SOTO. In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month,
I would like to recognize Dr. Hefang Lin.
Dr. Hefang Lin received her Ph.D. in statistics from Virginia Tech in
1999. She has published many papers in journals, such as the Journal of
Statistical Computation and Simulation, the Criminal Justice Review,
Corrections Today, et cetera.
She has worked as a research statistician in the Orange County
Corrections Department for 14 years. Her statistical analysis and
reports help decision-makers deliver better community outcomes by
enhancing efficiency and productivity. As a result of her work,
management has a data-based driven, decision-making process.
Prior to OCCD, she worked for a consulting company in Washington,
D.C., until 2007. She worked on many projects for the Federal
Government, including the U.S. Marshals, ICE, and the Administrative
Office of the U.S. Courts. She is also vice chair of the research
council in the American Correctional Association and the former
president of the Club Orange Toastmasters.
Dr. Hefang Lin is the founder and president of the Orange County
Asian Committee, with the mission of bringing the community together
while promoting inclusivity and the rich heritage of Asian Americans,
since 2012. In order to advocate for Asian cultures, diversity, and
inclusiveness, she leads numerous events, such as cultural
performances, art contests, and awards. During the pandemic, when face
masks were in short supply, she organized people to donate masks to
help prevent the spread of and protect against the COVID-19 healthcare
crisis in Orange County and people in need.
Dr. Lin now lives with her husband in Oviedo, Florida, and has two
beautiful daughters.
For this and more, Dr. Hefang Lin, we honor you.
Honoring Onchantho Am
Mr. SOTO. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month, I would like to recognize Onchantho Am.
Onchantho Am makes no secret of her humble beginnings. She is a child
of Cambodian refugees who escaped the Khmer Rouge. Due to unfortunate
circumstances, she and her siblings were removed from her parents' care
and placed in the foster system. One of her first recollections of the
judicial system was when she advocated on behalf of her siblings to
have them reunited
[[Page H2606]]
under one roof. Rather than being broken by such adversity, she
embraced her experiences to fuel a passion for public service and child
advocacy. She aged out of the foster system and went on to become the
first in her family to attend college and graduate from the University
of Florida. She earned her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law,
where she earned the prestigious Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award
and the Thomas E. Penick, Jr. Award.
Onchantho is the vice president of quality and chief legal officer of
IMPOWER, Inc., where she leads the organization to new levels working
diligently to improve the lives of children and families.
Outside of work, Mrs. Am is heavily involved in the legal and the
Asian American Pacific Islander community. As the president of the
Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association, she put public service
and community outreach to the forefront, spearheading several
successful virtual programs, including the Voter Initiative, the Asian
Fusion Nights, Cooking for a Cause, and Stop AAPI Hate panel. She is
also an active board member of the National Association of Asian
American Professionals, a member of the Orange County Asian American
Committee, and the scholarship chair of the Orange County Bar
Association Foundation.
But for all her accomplishments and accolades, her greatest pride and
joy is to share with her husband the adventure of raising three
multiracial daughters to become strong, empowered women.
For this and more, Mrs. Onchantho Am, we honor you.
Honoring Shally Wong
Mr. SOTO. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month, I would like to recognize Shally Wong.
Shally Wong is the special assistant of Mayor Jerry Demings of the
Orange County government.
A Hong Kong immigrant, Ms. Wong has proudly served the central
Florida Asian American community since 2005. Her programs include
cultural outreach, unity, and inclusion for all peoples of the Asian
American community and beyond. Ms. Wong invests in all of her
responsibilities a vision of diversity, understanding, acceptance, and
respect that nurtures present and future generations. She takes great
pride in representing her culture and being a voice for those
underrepresented within her community.
With an MIS bachelor's degree in business administration, Ms. Wong
brings dedication, meticulousness, and selflessness to many
professional and local projects from idea through completion. Examples
of such projects include the Asia Trend Magazine publication; the Asia
Trend, Inc., nonprofit organization; and the Dragon Parade Lunar New
Year.
Ms. Wong's prior recognized positions include vice president of the
Chinese American Association of Central Florida, president of CAACF,
and board director of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, for which
she served as treasurer in 2007. Her various awards and merits include
the AACC's Ellison S. Onizuka Humanitarian Award, the Asian American
Heritage Council Community Service Award, and the Outstanding Community
Service Award and recognition of County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. Ms. Wong
now serves as board director of FusionFest, Inc.
For this and more, Ms. Shally Wong, we honor you.
Honoring Sadiqullah Baburi
Mr. SOTO. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month, I would like to recognize Sadiqullah Baburi.
Sadiqullah Baburi, born on June 10, 1977, to father Baqi Baburi and
mother Sadeeqa Baburi in Kandahar, Afghanistan, is the oldest of eight
siblings. The Soviet occupation of the eighties took many of his family
members' lives and forced him and his family to flee their home and
brought them to the United States in the year 1990.
Supporting his family financially, Sadiq worked as a dishwasher with
his brother-in-law Mohamed Amin in a diner in Schenectady, New York,
until they gathered enough money to build their own restaurant in
Newark, New Jersey. After several years, he moved with his entire
family to Florida and eventually opened his newest restaurant with his
brother-in-law, Kennedy Chicken and Grill, named after the airport he
and his wife first arrived in as immigrants. The restaurant employs
many immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking new opportunities as he
and his family did years ago.
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At the present moment, Sadiq has four children. He and his wife have
been married since 1996. Mr. Baburi contributes to many local charities
through his small business work in the central Florida community.
For this and more, Mr. Sadiqullah Baburi, we honor you.
Honoring Francisco Rueda Halili, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Dr. Francisco Rueda
Halili, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Francisco ``Frank'' Halili, M.D., is a man who appears to have
more than 24 hours in a day. And for every single second of those extra
hours, there is a man living life to the fullest, a man of God and
country. He uses his time, talents, and treasures to help others.
A board-certified general surgeon in the central Florida area for
more than 27 years, Dr. Halili's sharp mind and skillful hands have
sought to provide the best care for everyone he meets. It is hard to
even imagine the number of lives he has changed either directly or
indirectly as a doctor.
Born in Manila, Philippines, to Filipino-U.S. immigrants who made
sacrifices, like many other immigrants do when starting over in the
U.S., he was instead raised by his grandmother in the Philippines.
A graduate of Ateneo de Manila High School, he would eventually
attend Florida Southern College, majoring in biochemistry, and later
attend medical school at the University of Miami School of Medicine,
class of 1988.
Dr. Halili did his surgical residency at Brookdale Hospital Medical
Center in Brooklyn, New York, and started his private practice in 1993
as a general surgeon in Kissimmee, Florida.
Anyone who has ever seen Dr. Halili in the operating room knows of
his love for his alma mater and UM Hurricane sports. His medical
students and nurses can easily spot him proudly wearing anything and
everything University of Miami, orange and green, all the way down to
his famous orange-colored operating room shoes. Go Canes.
Over his 27-year career, it is hard to say exactly how many hours Dr.
Halili has spent in surgery, with delicate hands caring for his
patients. But for every one of those hours, getting to the four
hospitals no matter what time or emergency, he has somehow defied the
laws of physics and created even more time in the day to be a full-time
loving husband to Joanna and devoted father to Francis and Francene.
For this and more, Dr. Francisco Halili, we honor you.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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