[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 108 (Friday, June 24, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING SAMUEL ROBERTS FOR CARIBBEAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2022

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Samuel Roberts has been involved in the 
Caribbean American community since 2004 when he was first elected vice 
president of the Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central 
Florida. He was later elected president and served in that capacity for 
a total of eight years, becoming their longest-serving president. 
Roberts was instrumental in the establishment of the Caribbean American 
Heritage Month celebrations initiative which launched in Central 
Florida in 2009.
  Roberts has held various positions in the Caribbean American Chamber 
of Commerce including vice president, and various committee chairs. 
Utilizing their platform on the chamber, their associations, and their 
publication, Roberts and his wife Guenet Roberts have helped unify the 
Caribbean American community in the Central Florida area. Their actions 
have been recognized by groups like the Susan Taylor Cares 
organization.
  Roberts is a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience in 
engineering and project management. He graduated in 1993 with a 
bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a minor in mathematics. He 
most recently completed his master's degree in emergency management. In 
2004, he got his first introduction into the disaster recovery industry 
when hurricanes Charlie, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne affected Central 
Florida. Roberts was placed in the field to help implement guidelines 
while ensuring the services being provided were FEMA compliant. Since 
that year, Roberts has been involved in every major hurricane recovery 
project across the southeast.
  In 2017, while managing recovery operations in Polle County, Florida, 
Roberts developed a management plan that helped complete clean-up 
activities in a systematic and efficient manner. That same year, he 
began working on a more efficient recovery management application. In 
June of 2021 the app, GridMapI, was presented to attendees of the 
National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans where it was well 
received. The app is now featured in the Apple and Android app stores.
  Roberts is also the owner/CFO of Roberts & Roberts Management 
Services, LLC. He currently serves as the chairperson of the Heads of 
Caribbean Organizations, chairperson of the Caribbean American Heritage 
Month Planning Committee, chairperson of the Orlando Carnival Downtown, 
board member of the Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central 
Florida Advisory Committee, and board member of the Caribbean American 
Chamber of Commerce. He was also an affiliate member of the American 
Society of Civil Engineers. Roberts is also responsible for the Fusion 
Fest which is presented annually by the Orange County Mayor's Office.
  Roberts has been married for 26 years and is a proud parent of two 
children.

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