[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E92-E93]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING LEE CAPLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2024

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Lee 
Caplin, a businessman and philanthropist.
  As an attorney, entrepreneur, and educator, Mr. Caplin's 
contributions span over 25 years, including co-founding Penske Media 
and serving as the Special Assistant Chairman of the National Endowment 
for the Arts. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from 
Duke University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of 
Virginia Law School, Mr. Caplin has been an influential figure in 
various fields, embodying a commitment to education, innovation, and 
the arts.
  Mr. Lee Caplin generously donated $10 million to Florida 
International University College of Communication, Architecture + The 
Arts (CARTA) to establish the CARTA Lee Caplin School of Journalism & 
Media, marking one of the most substantial contributions to a 
journalism and media program in the history of the State University 
System of Florida.
  The donation will empower a multitude of initiatives to support 
students, encompassing the strengthening of the curriculum, faculty, 
and professional staff to ensure graduates are well-prepared for 
interdisciplinary, high-demand professions. Additionally, it will 
involve the enhancement of the renowned South Florida Media Network, 
now rebranded as Caplin News, providing immersive professional learning 
experiences with news bureaus in Miami and Washington, D.C. The 
initiative extends to the development of engaging and inclusive 
coursework, fostering an experiential ``learn by doing'' teaching 
philosophy and equipping students with essential skills to combat 
misinformation and disinformation. Furthermore, it

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aims at establishing a diverse and accomplished faculty of 
practitioners and scholars, providing instruction in the use of 
industry-standard equipment, software, and the latest immersive 
technologies. The donation will also contribute to capital improvements 
in facilities and equipment to create state-of-the-art learning spaces, 
along with offering student scholarships and financial assistance.
  This significant gift reinforces the Caplin School's dedication to 
inclusivity, with 86 percent of students identifying as minorities, and 
its commitment to providing access to excellence, fostering 
``techquity,'' and preparing proficient, multilingual professionals in 
journalism, digital media, animation, broadcast media, and film 
(proficient in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole).
  Lee Caplin, Founder and Chairman of Picture Entertainment 
Corporation, has a prominent role in the multimedia and 
telecommunications industry, serving as the Executive Producer of the 
Academy Award-nominated film ``Ali'' and leading initiatives such as 
the Immersive Studio for Altered Reality (iStar) at Florida 
International University.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Mr. Lee Caplin for all he has 
achieved, and for his commitment, dedication and service to our 
community.

                          ____________________