[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MAYOR FRANK ORTIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with immense pride that I 
rise to recognize my longtime friend, Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis.
  Mayor Ortis has been a resident of Pembroke Pines since 1977 and has 
a long history of service to our community. He was elected to the 
Pembroke Pines City Commission in 1996 and elected as its mayor in 
2004, serving in that position for the last 20 years.
  His ties run deep, as he has served and serves on numerous boards and 
committees, including the Broward and Florida League of Cities; 
chairman of the United States Conference of Mayors Committee on Jobs, 
Education, and the Workforce; the United States Conference of Mayors 
vice chair for Sports and Recreation, Tourism, Arts, Parks, 
Entertainment, and Sports; and the Broward County Workforce One 
Development Board.
  A graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Mayor Ortis 
also served as president of the Florida State Council of Machinists and 
Aerospace Workers, and as president of the Broward County AFL-CIO.
  His work to improve the lives of working families made transformative 
impacts throughout the Sunshine State. As a devoted public servant for 
more than 27 years, Mayor Ortis helped transform the city of Pembroke 
Pines into a world-class city to live, work, and visit.
  His leadership expanded the city's arts and culture footprint, its 
outstanding schools, and the recreational offerings it provides to 
residents of all ages.
  Under his leadership, Pembroke Pines was designated as an All-America 
City, which recognizes communities that ``leverage civic engagement, 
collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation to successfully address 
local issues.'' That is a very apt description for the imprint Mayor 
Ortis has and continues to make.
  Mayor Frank Ortis leads with his heart, and, on behalf of the people 
of Florida's 25th Congressional District, we are grateful for his 
leadership and wish him well on his retirement from public service. I 
will miss him. I will miss working alongside him, but our loss is his 
family's gain.
  I wish Frank a hearty congratulations on his retirement and am 
grateful for his invaluable work for the residents of Pembroke Pines, 
Broward County, and the State of Florida.

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