[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING STEPHANIE BECHARA AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA 
                      FOR CARIBBEAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Stephanie Bechara calls Osceola County home 
and is proud to work for the City of Kissimmee as their communications 
and public affairs officer. Stephanie serves as a liaison between the 
city, the community, and the media.
  Before working for the City of Kissimmee, Stephanie was a multimedia 
journalist and worked in television news for more than a decade. As a 
former reporter, she's enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and 
put herself in the shoes of others daily. ``For it is storytelling that 
moves people,'' she says.
  Stephanie received her master's degree from the University of 
Florida. Having grown up in a Hispanic household, Stephanie is fluent 
in both English and Spanish. Stephanie's exposure to diverse people 
with unique backdrops is what ignites her spark for communicating.
  Stephanie usually wears multiple hats while working with cross-
functional teams including marketing and social media. But what she 
looks forward to every single day is the community engagement aspect of 
it all. Stephanie serves as a two way street fostering goodwill among 
residents, businesses, and non-profits, all in hopes of making 
Kissimmee thrive.
  Stephanie is resourceful and creative when it comes to planning, 
enterprising, and delivering storytelling. She has received several 
awards from the Florida Associated Press, one of them highlighting her 
as Best Mobile Journalist. Stephanie was also nominated for an Emmy by 
the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the Suncoast 
Chapter. Additionally, Stephanie was recognized for her work on 
immigrant-related stories by the Central Florida chapter of the 
American Immigration Lawyers Association.
  Stephanie has fallen in love with Osceola County and is honored to 
work in the place she calls home. Stephanie lives in Poinciana with her 
husband Ray and is the proud mother of their baby, Zion, and little 
girl, Starlett.

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