[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ANDONI MOLINA BLANCO AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL 
                        FLORIDA FOR PRIDE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2022

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Andoni Molina Blanco is a pharmacist located 
in Winter Garden and originally from Spain. After becoming a pharmacist 
in 1996, he decided to move back to his hometown in northern Spain. In 
1997, he met Juan Bengoechea--his companion in life ever since and 
husband since 2014.
  After almost 20 years of working as a pharmacist in Spain, the couple 
decided to start a new chapter in their lives and moved abroad. In 
2015, Andoni started working as a pharmacy intern in Miami, becoming a 
licensed pharmacist in Florida in 2016. In 2017, they decided to move 
to Orlando after Andoni accepted a job offer from Walmart Pharmacy. In 
2018, he became pharmacy manager at store 4159 in Kissimmee, where he 
enjoys reaching and engaging with his patients and the Hispanic 
community.
  In 2020, Walmart created the Health and Wellness Days of Giving--a 
program where pharmacy managers can provide funding to a healthcare 
organization of their choice. This gave Andoni the opportunity to get 
in contact with the LGBTQ+ organization, The Center Kissimmee, for the 
first time. That first year, two other pharmacy managers joined him in 
supporting The Center.
  In 2021, Andoni continued his support for The Center and advocated 
for others to join. This time, a total of five pharmacy managers 
supported The Center. In December of 2021, he was invited to 
participate and represent Walmart Pharmacy in the first World AIDS Day 
fair hosted by The Center and the Florida Department of Health in 
Osceola County.
  This year, he participated in the Minority Health Month fair hosted 
by the NAACP and the Florida Department of Health. Additionally, all 13 
Walmart stores in Andoni's market will support The Center in their 
efforts of purchasing a new van that will offer mobile HIV testing 
around Central Florida.
  In February of this year, Andoni became a proud U.S. citizen.