[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 106 (Friday, June 16, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E581-E584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING DISTINGUISHED NEIGHBORS, LEADERS, AND COMMUNITY BASED 
         ORGANIZATIONS DURING NATIONAL IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2023

   Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of many 
individuals and organizations who have served my district during the 
pandemic. Through selfless service, these individuals have invested in 
America and their new communities to help us recover from the pandemic 
as a united community and Nation. I recognize these distinguished 
leaders in Florida during National Immigrant Heritage Month.
  Henry Mendoza, an industrial engineer, fled to the United States from 
Bucaramanga, Colombia, due to physical beatings, death threats, and 
acts of violence against him by illegally armed groups. He had been 
working with Colombia's Civil Conflict victims as a community 
organizer. In the United States, Mr. Mendoza has dedicated himself to 
the service of others. He has worked tirelessly as the director of 
Outreach and Health Initiatives of the Episcopal Churches of Christ the 
King and Jesus de Nazaret. In these roles, he has addressed hunger and 
health disparities and met the basic needs of the Azalea Park and 
Oviedo communities. Mr. Mendoza also helps other refugees adapt and 
serve their new communities. Mr. Mendoza co-founded Corpus Care, Inc., 
a 501(c)3 dedicated to promoting health education and access to 
healthcare in Central Florida.
  Hoower Cajica is a Catholic priest and psychologist who came to the 
United States from Bucaramanga, Colombia, after being gravely assaulted 
and threatened for his community work by illegally armed groups. In 
Colombia, Father Hoower worked as a psychologist supporting families 
and victims of abuse in the minority and vulnerable communities 
impacted by the Colombian Civil Conflict and many impoverished 
communities. This work put his life in danger. He has continued 
providing mental health support to those struggling with addiction, 
victims of domestic violence, and others in Chicago and Central 
Florida. Father Hoower founded and is the Executive Director of the 
Renacer Foundation, a project of Renacer en Vida Nueva, Inc., a 501(c)3 
dedicated to promoting mental health in Chicago and Central Florida.
  Hernando Elias David Torres is a retired Catholic priest and 
professor who fled to the United States with his family from Cali, 
Colombia, after being tortured, gravely assaulted, and threatened by 
illegally armed groups for his community work. In Colombia, Father 
Hernando worked tirelessly for the cause of the poor. During the 
Colombian Civil Conflict, he worked as a hostage negotiator and 
assisted the United States Embassy in Bogota in retrieving the remains 
of United States citizen casualties of the conflict. Illegally armed 
groups assassinated both his bishop and his brother for this work. At 
the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret, 
Hernando has dedicated his efforts to supporting the Healing Hunger 
Food Pantry and the church's many public health initiatives in Central 
Florida.
  Yoluiscla Ustariz, a public accountant, and her family came to the 
United States from Barcelona, Venezuela, after receiving death threats 
due to their political differences with the Venezuelan government. In 
2022, she and others worked to provide COVID-19 testing to vulnerable 
communities at supermarkets and evening testing events during the 
height of the Omicron variant wave in Kissimmee and Orlando. In the 
aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she supported a disaster relief and 
community health team that was established through a workforce 
development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the 
Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team 
helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the pandemic 
and Hurricane Ian. In 2023, Mrs. Ustariz co-founded Florida Health 
Station, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting health 
education and well-being in Central Florida.
  Carmen Freitez, a medical doctor, and her family came to the United 
States from Cagua, Venezuela, after being victims of extortion, 
kidnapping, and persecution for being members of a founding family of a 
political party opposed to the Venezuelan government. She is a surgeon 
with 30 years of experience and has supported community health projects 
and vaccination in Central Florida. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, 
she supported a disaster relief and community health team that was 
established through a workforce development program managed by 
CareerSource Central Florida at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the 
King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team helped hundreds of Central Florida 
families recover from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Maria Rueda, a medical doctor, and her family came to the United 
States from Maracaibo, Venezuela, after being victims of political 
persecution, kidnapping, and death threats by armed groups affiliated 
with the regime. She is a pediatrician with 30 years of experience. She 
worked as a community health worker in supporting public health 
programs, including Alzheimer's education clinics and vaccination 
programs to address meningitis and hepatitis outbreaks in the Azalea 
Park neighborhood. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she supported a 
disaster relief and community health team that was established through 
a workforce development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida 
at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The 
team helped hundreds of Central Florida familles recover from the 
pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Franklin Yorio, a medical doctor, and his family fled from Venezuela 
to the United State seeking protection from death threats, extortion, 
and political persecution. He is an ophthalmologist with 27 years of 
experience. He worked as a community health worker in the Azalea Park 
neighborhood, where he partnered with numerous organizations to promote 
health and education. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, he supported a 
disaster relief and community health team that was established through 
a workforce development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida 
at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The 
team helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the 
pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Silvia Sierra, a medical doctor, and her family fled to the United 
States from Maracay,

[[Page E582]]

Venezuela, as victims of political persecution due to her work as a 
medical director supporting her local community. She is a medical 
epidemiologist by profession with 27 years of experience. She is a 
community health worker promoting vaccination and addressing COVID-19, 
meningitis, hepatitis, and monkeypox outbreaks in Azalea Park. In the 
aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she supported a disaster relief and 
community health team that was established through a workforce 
development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the 
Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team 
helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the pandemic 
and Hurricane Ian.
  Emily Salamanca, a medical doctor, and her family came to the United 
States from Maracay, Venezuela, fleeing death threats for belonging to 
political groups opposed to the Venezuelan regime. She is a 
gynecologist and obstetrician with 26 years of experience. She worked 
as a community health worker supporting many public health projects and 
hurricane recovery efforts in Azalea Park. In the aftermath of 
Hurricane Ian, she supported a disaster relief and community health 
team that was established through a workforce development program 
managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the Episcopal Churches of 
Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team helped hundreds of 
Central Florida families recover from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Liliam Mayora, a medical doctor, fled to the United States from 
Maracay, Venezuela, with her family. They were victims of political 
persecution, threats, and harassment by the Venezuelan government. 
Mayora is a medical anesthesiologist by profession and has 27 years of 
experience. She worked as a community health worker in Azalea Park, 
where she supported health education and COVID-19 recovery projects. In 
the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she supported a disaster relief and 
community health team that was established through a workforce 
development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the 
Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team 
helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the pandemic 
and Hurricane Ian.
  Silvia Estrada de Losada, a medical doctor and former medical school 
professor, fled to the United States from Maracay, Venezuela, with her 
family. They were fleeing political persecution and acts of violence, 
which put all of them in grave danger. Estrada is an obstetrician and 
gynecologist with 26 years of experience. She worked as a community 
health worker in the Azalea Park area. She promoted health and helped 
create a community health program at the Episcopal Churches of Christ 
the King and Jesus de Nazaret, which served a multi-county region. She 
now works at the Florida Department of Health.
  Clorinda Victora Contreras, a medical doctor and medical researcher, 
fled to the United States from Valencia, Venezuela, with her family. 
She was a victim of violence by armed groups of the regime. She also 
faced the reality that the Venezuelan government would seize her 
research and life's work. Contreras is a medical research scientist 
with 32 years of experience. She currently works as a community health 
worker supporting public health, establishing a nonprofit focused on 
health education, and bringing medical technology to the United States. 
She has obtained three U.S. patents for medical technology that has the 
potential to benefit all Americans. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, 
she supported a disaster relief and community health team that was 
established through a workforce development program managed by 
CareerSource Central Florida at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the 
King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team helped hundreds of Central Florida 
families recover from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian. In 2023, 
Contreras co-founded Florida Health Station, Inc., a 501(c)(3) 
organization dedicated to promoting health education and well-being in 
Central Florida.
  Jhon Fabio Gamboa and his wife, Tamaira Picon, came to the United 
States from Bucaramanga, Colombia, with their children Jhon Franco and 
Tammy, due to death threats, extortion, and acts of violence against 
Gamboa for his business interests in the Chicamocha National Park. 
Gamboa lent his entrepreneurial spirit and talent to the Episcopal 
Churches of Christ the King, Jesus de Nazaret, and the Renacer 
Foundation, supporting multiple public health and social services 
projects. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Gamboa supported a 
disaster relief and community health team that was established through 
a workforce development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida 
at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. 
Picon supported a workforce development program managed by CareerSource 
Central Florida in partnership with the Renacer Foundation. Together, 
they helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the 
pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Joaquin Hernandez, an elementary school student, and his family fled 
Bucaramanga, Colombia, to the United States to escape death threats and 
acts of violence against his family--his mother, Silvia; his father, 
Fidel; and his uncles, Henry and Hoover--by illegally armed groups. His 
family was targeted for their organizing work supporting local 
communities negatively impacted by Colombia's civil conflict. In the 
United States, Hernandez found protection and a new calling: to keep 
his friends and new neighbors safe during the pandemic. He partnered 
with his church and local community-based organizations to create 
several videos urging vaccination. His videos reached thousands and 
motivated many to get their children vaccinated. As a first-grade 
student, Hernandez has shown that no one is too young to serve and help 
make America stronger. Hernandez's family recently received permanent 
resident status, and he looks forward to the day that he can celebrate 
the Fourth of July as an American citizen with his sisters, Isabella 
and Violeta.
  Marianne Long, a medical doctor, was born a United States citizen but 
was residing in Venezuela when the country's political upheavals 
displaced her. Unable to practice medicine in the United States, she 
still wished to serve the public, so she volunteered her time 
practicing medicine worldwide with Doctors Without Borders. In the 
aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she supported a disaster relief and 
community health team that was established through a workforce 
development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the 
Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team 
helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the pandemic 
and Hurricane Ian. Today, she continues to volunteer her time at the 
church. Recently, she facilitated an ecology Spring Break camp for 
elementary school children at the church, and she also supports the 
Healing Hunger Food Pantry.
  Joselina Reyes, a local community leader, and her husband, Generoso 
Mateo, are naturalized citizens of the United States. Originally from 
the Dominican Republic, they have prospered in America and give back to 
help those in need in their community. Both are trained community 
health workers who worked to bring health and education access to 
Kissimmee and Orlando during the pandemic. As a family, they support 
their local food pantry with their children, Elian and Maria Victoria 
Mateo, who serve as volunteers and generously give their time to help 
their neighbors. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, they supported a 
disaster relief and community health team at the Episcopal Churches of 
Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. As a family, they helped hundreds 
of Central Florida families recover from the pandemic and Hurricane 
Ian.
  Anabel Maria Cohen Negron, a business administrator, came to the 
United States from Caracas, Venezuela, in 2022, fleeing threats and 
abuses against her and her family by illegally armed groups. She 
immediately began working to support her community by supporting local 
public health programs and vaccination events during the COVID-19 
emergency in Orlando. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she supported 
a disaster relief and community health team that was established 
through a workforce development program managed by CareerSource Central 
Florida at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de 
Nazaret. The team helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover 
from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Luisana Edith Leon Flores, who worked in manufacturing, came to the 
United States from Maracay, Venezuela, in 2022, fleeing death threats 
and violence against her by illegally armed groups. She worked with a 
group of public health workers and medical professionals to promote 
community health programs and other public health initiatives during 
the COVID-19 emergency in Orlando. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, 
she supported a disaster relief and community health team that was 
established through a workforce development program managed by 
CareerSource Central Florida at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the 
King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team helped hundreds of Central Florida 
families recover from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Hugo Molero Omana is a professional musician and special education 
teacher who fled from San Cristobal, Venezuela, to the United States. 
His community work in Venezuela supporting education and the welfare of 
children led to political persecution, threats to his safety, beatings, 
and other violence. Together with his husband, Franklyn Martinez, they 
fled to the United States, where they volunteered at local food 
pantries and promoted community health in Orange and Osceola Counties. 
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, he supported a disaster relief and 
community health team that was established through a workforce 
development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the 
Renacer Foundation. The team helped hundreds of Central Florida 
families recover from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.

[[Page E583]]

  Ricardo Arria is a medical doctor and permanent resident of the 
United States. He fled to America to escape threats and violence by 
illegally armed groups. During the COVID-19 emergency, he and others 
worked on public health programs and vaccination events in Orlando. In 
the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, he supported a disaster relief and 
community health team that was established through a workforce 
development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the 
Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team 
helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the pandemic 
and Hurricane Ian.
  Leslyn Milla Mendez, a mother of two school-aged children, including 
a special needs child, and her family came to the United States from 
Honduras after receiving death and extortion threats from criminal 
gangs in her country. She is dedicated to her children, one of whom has 
cerebral palsy. She volunteers to support the many programs that aid 
families in Azalea Park at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King 
and Jesus de Nazaret. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she supported 
programming that helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover 
from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Oscar Mauricio Vega, a journalist, and his wife, Jenny Botello, fled 
to the United States with their son, Santiago, from Bucaramanga, 
Colombia, after receiving death threats against their child. The 
threats were in retaliation for Vega's refusal to be extorted by 
illegally armed groups that have ravaged Colombia. In the United 
States, Vega and Botello used their skills and talents at the Healing 
Hunger Food Pantry, where they created content and supported families 
experiencing hunger and food insecurity in the Azalea Park 
neighborhood. They also volunteered extensively at the Renacer 
Foundation, where they helped hundreds of Central Florida families 
recover from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Yuri Zelaya Membreno, a small business owner, and her family came to 
the United States from El Salvador, fleeing violence from organized 
crime and criminal gangs. She and her husband, Yaison Jose Cordero 
Zalazar, own a business together and work to support the food pantry 
and social programs at the Healing Hunger Food Pantry. Zelaya works on 
projects that support leadership development among women. She also 
coordinates events and volunteerism in support of social support 
programs that aid families in Azalea Park at the Episcopal Churches of 
Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. In the aftermath of Hurricane 
Ian, Zelaya and Cordero supported programming that helped hundreds of 
Central Florida families recover from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Virginia Brown, a mental health counselor and medical doctor, was 
born a United States citizen but displaced by Venezuela's political 
upheavals. Unable to practice medicine in the United States, she 
attended Rollins College to study mental health. In the United States, 
she worked for decades serving vulnerable children and families in 
Orange County. She is the executive director of Warm Welcoming Arms, 
Inc., a 501(c)3 organization focused on meeting the basic needs of 
newly arrived immigrant children. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, 
she came out of retirement to manage a disaster relief team funded by 
CareerSource Central Florida at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the 
King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team helped hundreds of Central Florida 
families recover from the hurricane.
  William Josue Trejos Zelaya, a local community leader, was brought to 
the United States as a young child by his parents from El Salvador, 
fleeing violence from organized crime and illegally armed groups. The 
United States is the only home he knows. He graduated from high school 
with top honors and maintains top honors at Valencia Community College, 
where he will graduate in the fall. He loves America and in high school 
was chosen to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 
Arlington National Cemetery. He has volunteered to support the local 
food pantry and the social programs at the Healing Hunger Food Pantry. 
Trejos has dedicated himself to reaching his American Dream and helping 
build a stronger local community by partnering with his neighbors to 
fulfill his duty of care to all in need.
  Jose Alfredo Quintero Zelaya, a local community leader, came to the 
United States from El Salvador, fleeing violence from organized crime 
and illegally armed groups. For many years, he has worked as a 
volunteer in support of the local food pantry and the social programs 
at the Healing Hunger Food Pantry. He has also supported the work of 
his church, uplifting and assisting the many displaced United States 
citizens in Orlando in the aftermath of multiple disasters, from 
Hurricane Maria to Hurricane Ian. Quintero has dedicated himself to 
serving his community and making the Azalea Park neighborhood a better 
place for all its residents.
  Rafael Lopez Acevedo is a local community leader who fled to the 
United States from Bucaramanga, Colombia, due to threats and violence 
from illegally armed groups. Since arriving in Orlando, he and his 
wife, Luz Dary, and their two children, Esteban and Pablo, have 
dedicated themselves to volunteering and supporting the Healing Hunger 
Food Pantry in Orlando, hunger relief, public health, and childhood 
programs in the Azalea Park neighborhood. Lopez and his family also 
volunteer extensively at the Renacer Foundation, where they have helped 
hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the pandemic and 
Hurricane Ian.
  Lizeth Juliana Carvajal Quintero is a community organizer who fled to 
the United States from Bucaramanga, Colombia, to escape threats and 
violence from illegally armed groups due to her work supporting local 
labor in her community. She has worked in support of the Healing Hunger 
Food Pantry and the Renacer Foundation, both in Orlando, supporting 
various projects in support of families in need in the Azalea Park 
neighborhood. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she supported a 
disaster relief and community health team that was established through 
a workforce development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida 
at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The 
team helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover from the 
pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Yasseys Pina, a medical doctor, came to the United States from Coro, 
Venezuela, fleeing threats and abuse against her and her family by 
illegally armed groups. She supported a team of medical professionals 
and community health workers during the COVID-19 emergency and in 
support of other public health emergencies in Orlando. In the aftermath 
of Hurricane Ian, she supported a disaster relief and community health 
team that was established through a workforce development program 
managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the Episcopal Churches of 
Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret. The team helped hundreds of 
Central Florida families recover from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Susana Vivian De La Fuente Grosch is an attorney and public 
accountant who fled to the United States to escape threats and violence 
against her and her family by illegally armed groups. During the COVID-
19 emergency, she and others worked on public health programs and 
vaccination events in Orlando. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she 
supported a disaster relief and community health team established 
through a workforce development program managed by CareerSource Central 
Florida at the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de 
Nazaret. The team helped hundreds of Central Florida families recover 
from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Jhon Franco Gamboa fled to the United States as a child with his 
family to escape death threats, extortion, and acts of violence against 
members of his family. As a talented young adult, Gamboa supports the 
work of not only the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de 
Nazaret, but also the Renacer Foundation. He supports multiple public 
health and social services projects. Through a youth workforce 
development program managed by CareerSource Central Florida at the 
Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret, Gamboa 
supports work that assists hundreds of Central Florida families recover 
from the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.
  Mariana Chavez is an elementary school student who immigrated to the 
United States from Bucaramanga, Colombia. She is the granddaughter of a 
U.S. citizen, and she came to the United Stastes with her family to 
contribute to our Nation's prosperity. She is the youngest volunteer at 
the Healing Hunger Food Pantry, where she faithfully serves by 
unpacking food and welcoming families. Her energy outpaces all of the 
adults who volunteer alongside her, including her father, Diego Chavez, 
her mother, Ingrid Gonzalez, and her older brother, Deiby Rodriguez.
  The work of community members, churches, and community-based 
organizations that empower neighbors to help neighbors makes our 
communities more resilient. It also helps those of us in governance 
hear, see, and meet the needs of all who live in our districts.
  The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and its churches in Orange 
County, the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jesus de Nazaret, 
the Healing Hunger Food Pantry and Osceola County, Trinity House at 
Saint John's Kissimmee, are churches with immigrant leadership that 
work to serve not only immigrants but the entire community. The Rev. 
Dr. Jose Rodriguez, the Rev. Maytee de la Torre, the Rev. Scott 
Anderson, the Rev. Steven Heisler, the Rev. Emilio Gonzalez, and the 
Rev. Canon Dr. Luis Manuel de la Cruz support programming with a 
dedicated team of professionals and volunteers that build resilience 
and uphold the dignity of our immigrant community. Laurie Schoomaker 
managed a food pantry that has served thousands of neighbors and 
immigrants alike through the pandemic, multiple natural disasters, and 
life's challenges.

[[Page E584]]

  The Renacer Foundation promotes the well-being and mental health of 
immigrants through innovative programming and interventions aimed at 
welcoming immigrants and facilitating acculturation while celebrating 
and preserving the cultural differences that enrich our shared 
community. The Rev. Hoower Cajica and Renacer's team of professionals 
and volunteers leverage years of work in mental health and providing 
social services to build up our local immigrant families.
  CareerSource Central Florida provides unfettered access for Central 
Florida families who wish to access the many professional opportunities 
that make our local community a beacon of hope and opportunity for many 
living and moving into the region. Pamela Nabors, Nilda Blanco, and 
Yaralise Colon have worked tirelessly for our community not only in 
assisting people through career transitions but also in assisting them 
as they recover and rebuild after tragedy. The programs overseen by 
Colon in the aftermath of multiple natural disasters and the pandemic 
have empowered and equipped workers to achieve and actively contribute 
to our local economy.
  A Coalition of 100 Black Women, together with the Central Florida 
Black Nurses Association, extended unity and healing into our local 
immigrant communities during the pandemic by working with others to 
close gaps and mitigate health disparities in minority communities. 
Lawanna Gelzer and Dr. Jennifer Sankey worked tirelessly throughout all 
of Central Florida's counties to equip our immigrant community with the 
knowledge necessary to promote the health and well-being of our entire 
community by supporting workforce development projects aimed at 
empowering community health workers to bring healing knowledge and 
resources into our most vulnerable communities.

                          ____________________