[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 213 (Thursday, December 9, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1345-E1346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING SHASTA SHAFFER'S COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE CONSTITUENTS OF 
                  FLORIDA'S 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 9, 2021

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, today, we honor Ms. Shasta Shaffer, the 
director of constituent services for Florida's 9th Congressional 
District. Throughout her years of public service, Shasta has gone above 
and beyond to help Central Floridians in need. As a paralegal for the 
law office of Darren M. Soto during his tenure in the Florida 
Legislature, she worked tirelessly to help clients navigate their legal 
matters. Once Congressman Soto was elected to the House of 
Representatives, Shasta embarked on the journey to Congress. It was 
quickly discovered that public service came naturally to Shasta, and 
she was promoted to lead the constituent services department during the 
115th Congress.

[[Page E1346]]

  After Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, tens of 
thousands of families were forced to flee and sought refuge in 
Florida's 9th Congressional District. Without hesitation, Shasta worked 
with local stakeholders to provide shelter, food, and stability for 
those in need.
  As the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran, Shasta worked especially 
hard to help veterans and young people applying to the five military 
academies. For five years, Shasta led the efforts for Florida's 9th 
Congressional District's Service Academy nominations and took great 
pride in selecting members for the military advisory board. Several 
students have been admitted under her tenure.
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was instrumental in helping 
constituents, within and outside of the district, with unemployment and 
IRS issues. Because of her efforts, thousands of families received 
much-needed relief during a historically tumultuous time.
  For this and more, we honor Ms. Shasta Shaffer.

                          ____________________