[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

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                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 2026

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
commend the Florida Department of Children and Families' efforts to 
promote healthy eating habits and increased activity for the children 
of Florida. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has 
proclaimed June 26, 2012, as ``DCF-Make Healthy Happen Miami Day.''
  Under the leadership of its program called Communities Putting 
Prevention to Work, DCF is dedicated to increasing health awareness in 
Miami Dade County. DCF is particularly focused on the health of Miami's 
young people. The Department of Health of Miami-Dade County was awarded 
14.7 million dollars in order to fund the Communities Putting 
Prevention to Work Program (CPPW). The CPPW initiative seeks to boost 
our youth's health by instituting regulatory policies over certain 
foods and by encouraging more exercise.
  DCF pursues its goals for Miami's children through a series of 
activities. Through its CPPW program, the Department of Children and 
Families formed a partnership with institutions, like Publix, Home 
Depot, Short Chef, and Johnson and Wales. Together with these 
institutions, the CPPW was able to provide children with hands-on 
experiences with healthy foods. These experiences provided these 
children with a realistic way of approaching healthy eating.
  A community that encourages healthy lifestyles ultimately produces 
healthy and active citizens. Now more than ever, it is important that 
we provide our citizens with the resources they need to help increase 
their health. The DCF's ``Make Healthy Happen Miami Dade'' draws 
attention to initiatives taken by the CPPW and other groups to make 
healthy happen for Miami.
  Please join me in recognizing the Department of Children and Families 
for its commitment to our children and increasing health in Miami Dade 
County.

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