[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DANEE WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 2026

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Women's History 
Month to honor and recognize Danee Williams, a remarkable entrepreneur 
and community leader from Ave Maria, Florida, whose dedication to 
service and business excellence has left an indelible mark on Collier 
County. As the owner of two beloved local businesses--Oil Well Craft 
Beer and The Secret Ingredient--Danee embodies the spirit of American 
entrepreneurship. Her commitment to quality and hospitality was 
recently recognized by Gulfshore Life, with her businesses securing 
four ``Best of the Gulfshore'' awards, including being named the best 
Brewery in Collier County and taking top honors in the Women's Apparel 
category. Beyond her commercial success, Danee is a pillar of community 
engagement. Ten years ago, she founded the Ave Maria Trunk or Treat, an 
annual tradition that has grown from a local brewery event into a 
massive town-wide celebration for hundreds of families. During the 
challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she demonstrated her adaptability 
and commitment to her neighbors by expanding her business operations to 
ensure residents continued to have access to essential services and 
dining.
  Danee's true legacy, however, is her tireless philanthropy and her 
``community-first'' mentality. She consistently utilizes her business 
platforms to host fundraisers and support a vast array of noble causes, 
ranging from healthcare and support through the Cancer Alliance Network 
and the Alzheimer's Support Network to education and youth initiatives 
with Ave Maria University, The Guadalupe Center, and Our Lady of the 
Rosary Orphanage. Her advocacy extends to critical community needs, 
including supporting Path2Freedom in their work with child trafficking 
survivors, aiding local veterans' organizations, and participating in 
the Christmas Angel Tree program to help children in need. Danee, 
alongside her husband Matt and their children Cole, Peyton, and Reese, 
has proven that a small business with a big heart can shape the soul of 
a town. Her efforts have helped transform Ave Maria's Town Center into 
a vibrant gathering place where neighbors become friends. Mr. Speaker, 
it is a privilege to honor Danee Williams today for her leadership, 
generosity, and unwavering dedication to the people of Florida's 26th 
District.

                          ____________________