[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 HONORING LAWRENCE ALLEN AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA 
                        FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 17, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Lawrence ``Lare'' Allen is a lifelong resident 
of Osceola County Florida. He graduated from Osceola High and then from 
the United States Military Academy at West Point. After a tour in the 
Middle East, he returned to Osceola County to begin a career in 
education.
  One of his biggest fears was being the person who extinguished a 
child's natural love of learning. He aspired to impart a sense of 
adventure, hope, and belief to his students. He wanted them to know 
they could become happy, productive members of society. He treated his 
students as if they were his younger cousins. He met them where they 
were and helped them move forward along their own journey.
  Lare Allen believes a free quality public education should be 
available to all citizens. He has worked diligently to achieve that 
goal within his community. He understands that it begins with 
supporting the people who support our students since educator working 
conditions are student learning conditions. He noticed that too often 
legislation was implemented that did more harm to the students than 
good, so he became involved in his local union.
  Since there was always more work available than people to do the 
work, he stepped forward to volunteer in a variety of roles. Regardless 
of one's party affiliation and regardless of one's race religion or 
creed, he would sit down to discuss how to better serve the students 
because he believed collaboration achieved better results than 
competition.
  Lare Allen is currently the president of the Osceola County Education 
Association. He intends to retire this year. He will begin a new career 
as a day trader with more time to advocate for staff and students at 
the school board and state levels. He is happily married to his 
beautiful wife, Laura Portorreal Allen. They have several amiable 
children.

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