The Public Record
Darren Michael Soto is a U.S. Representative for Florida's 9th congressional district, serving since January 3, 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Soto has focused on issues such as environmental protection, healthcare, and economic development. He has been an advocate for the Latino community and has worked on legislation to improve access to education and job opportunities. Soto has also been involved in discussions around climate change and disaster preparedness, particularly in relation to Florida's unique environmental challenges.
In honor of Black History Month, I want to recognize Wanda Faye Howard. Wanda Howard is a Lake Wales native. She became the first African- American female president of the Lake Wales branch of the NAACP. Prior to that, she was the former…
In honor of Black History Month, I want to recognize Dawn Chantel Curtis. Dawn Curtis is a native of a small urban town called Franklinton, Louisiana. She has worked with the government sector for over 15 years. In conjunction with the…
In honor of Black History Month, I recognize Rhetta Peoples. Rhetta Peoples has been working in the community as a community activist, journalist, and volunteering to help get voters to the polls and beyond with a career spanning back to…
In honor of Black History Month, I recognize Shawn W. Kinsey. Shawn Kinsey is a true example of a servant leader in the city of Winter Haven, Polk County, in the State of Florida. He is the current chairman of the Polk County Democratic…
In honor of Black History Month, I recognize Roxanne ``Roxsy'' Harvey. Roxanne Harvey is currently the president of the Democratic Women's Club of Osceola County. She is the senior pastor of the Real Love Christian Center, an international…
In honor of Black History Month, I recognize Stewart Moore. Stewart Moore coanchors WESH 2 News on CW 18 and has been an important voice for the central Florida community. He joined the WESH news team in August of 2011. He is originally…
I was thrilled initially to hear that Florida's offshore drilling plan was off the table.
I thank Congressman Castro for his great leadership on this issue. I want to take a moment to talk about the story of Mariana Castro. Mariana is going to be interning for us this year, and she is an ambitious young DREAMer from Florida. In…
I thank the gentleman for giving me that opportunity. Florida has every color in the rainbow, every religion, every background. Where you have Mickey Mouse, you tend to have a lot of folks around the world who are familiar with Orlando. So…
Over 250,000 of my fellow Puerto Ricans have arrived in Florida since Hurricane Maria. The tax bill on top of that absolutely is going to decimate the manufacturing sector there, which is going to only hasten further of my brothers and…
I would like to take a moment to provide every American with a plot summary of the GOP tax scam. Step one: cut taxes for powerful billionaires and millionaires. Step two: grow a giant, $2.5 trillion debt. Part of that is to also grow the…
As to embracing renewables, we must continue on this path of having 50 percent of our energy by renewable energy.
I encourage this Committee... to embrace three principles: (1) to embrace renewables; (2) to rebuild with resiliency; and (3) to enact critical reforms.
I think it is only reasonable to have a mix of Federal and private dollars for that recovery.
FEMA's response has been wholly inaccurate. They are already living that nightmare.
I encourage you all to set up regions to be bid out and allow utilities, both our cities, rural cooperatives, and investor-owned utilities, to be able to bid.
I encourage this Committee to work with our Governor Rossello, the Puerto Rican legislature, and the PROMESA board to embrace renewables.
In 2010, Tea Party Republicans were swept into office on a passionate plea to eliminate the deficit, to reduce the national debt, and to not pass on a great fiscal burden to our children. Upon election, they boldly formed the Freedom…
Next I would like to honor Orlando Rolon. Orlando Rolon was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and has lived in central Florida since 1977. After high school, he served in the United States Marines Reserves for 4 years. In 1992, Orlando Rolon…
Next I would like to honor Roxy Santiago, board of directors for the LGBT Center of Central Florida and board of the Pulse Foundation. Roxy Santiago was born in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has lived in Orlando for over 30 years. Roxy…
It is Hispanic Heritage Month, and I want to take this time to honor some great heroes in my district of Hispanic descent, who range from reporters to civil rights heroes, to community organizers, to businessmen and women, and I am just…
Next I would like to honor Tirso Moreno. Tirso was born in Mexico and came to this country in 1971, with his family to do farm work. He is currently the director of the Farmworker Association of Florida. In 1982, he became the lead…
The first gentleman I want to talk about is Daniel Barajas, the executive director of the Young American Dreamers. Daniel Barajas was born in Winter Haven, Florida, to a family of migrant workers. Growing up, he worked in the orange groves…
Next is Ericka Gomez-Tejeda with Vamos4PR, Florida chapter. She is the civic engagement coordinator at 32BJ SEIU. Ericka Gomez-Tejeda came from Colombia to the United States with her mom when she was 8 years old. Moved by her lifelong…
Politicians like Darren Soto
