Supporting Chips for America Fund

Floor Speech

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, you are in luck. I heard a lot of complaints but no solutions. That is why my colleagues across the aisle lost the 2020 election miserably.

We know what they are against. President Biden said it best. What are the Republicans for? What are they for?

Some of them joined us in some of the bills I am about to outline. The rest of them, it has been nothing.

Meanwhile, Democrats delivered the American Rescue Plan, shots in arms, and money in pockets, and we stopped another Great Recession. Can you imagine how we would be able to respond to delta or omicron without passing future relief?

Now, unemployment is below 4 percent. We created nearly 7 million jobs last year. In my district, we were devastated by the Great Recession. Foreclosures devastated central Florida. In 2021, this time around, foreclosures are down from 2020.

Americans in central Florida lost their homes last time around. This time around, we put a stop to it.

House Republicans voted no, yet Republican Governors took the American Rescue Plan money and responded to our Nation's crisis. That is what we should all be doing.

Next, we go to the bipartisan infrastructure framework. There is huge support among all Americans to upgrade America, our roads and bridges, our ports and airports, our clean water, clean and resilient energy, rural broadband. I have urban, suburban, and rural areas in the district. Everyone in my district, regardless of their party background, is excited about this infrastructure. We have had meetings with local officials across the area, and they are looking to work with us to upgrade America.

According to Republican Senator Rob Portman, it helps fix supply chains and is counterinflationary. That is why 22 Senators from the Republican side voted yes and why 10 Republicans colleagues here in the House voted yes.

We applaud these 32 Republicans for joining all Democrats in voting for the infrastructure bill. What did the radical House Republicans do? They attacked their own over infrastructure. What a sad, sad legacy that is.

It didn't stop a few of them from trying to take credit, though, trying to take credit for projects, despite voting no. If you vote no and you try to take credit now, the message is clear. America will shame you every day, every time.

Now, we turn to the America COMPETES Act. Madam Speaker, 32 Republicans joined with Democrats to vote for the Senate's version of this, boosting domestic microchip manufacturing, which we do in our district, and I am going to go into that a little more in a moment; improving supply chains for medical supplies like PPE, like vaccines, telecom, solar, all these critical issues; and, yes, enabling us to compete against economic rivals like China, like Russia, and others who don't share our values.

In the Senate, the vast majority of them are able to come together. In the House, I hope we are. I hope we have a few of our colleagues.

Then, there is going to be a conference. We are going to conference this, make some deals between the House and the Senate, and we are going to get something together. That bill is going to come back.

That is going to be the last shot, the last shot for both Democrats and Republicans to come together to ensure we produce millions of new jobs in domestic manufacturing.

Madam Speaker, I want to commend the America COMPETES Act for including $52 billion to incentivize private-sector investments and continued American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and microchip manufacturing to help address supply chain disruptions and to ensure more microchips are produced here at home.

I have heard from my local auto dealers. I have heard from local manufacturers. We need to make these microchips at home, and this bill helps us do that.

Within our district in central Florida, we have the NeoCity technological campus, which is recognized as an emerging microchips, microelectronics, and advanced manufacturing hub. We have ready-made synergies with institutions of higher education across Florida and key partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Commerce under both the Trump administration and now under the Biden administration.

NeoCity is home to BRIDG, a nonprofit public-private partnership specializing in domestic semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing.

Imec, a world-renowned international research and development organization active in the semiconductor design and architecture space, also has a presence there.

SUSS MicroTec, a leading supplier of equipment and process solutions for the semiconductor industry, is working at NeoCity.

Then there is SkyWater Technology, the only domestically owned and operated pure play trusted foundry that works on leading-edge advanced packaging technology for microchips and microelectronics. They are all working in collaboration at the Center for Neovation at NeoCity, one of the most state-of-the-art, advanced manufacturing facilities in the Western Hemisphere.

As envisioned by this important legislation, the facility and experts at BRIDG, imec, SUSS MicroTec, and SkyWater Technology offer immediate capability to accelerate U.S. production of critical semiconductor chips, strengthen the domestic supply chain so chips are made right here in America, and turbocharge our research capacity.

Equally as important, NeoCity Academy, a public STEM magnet high school, is training the leaders of tomorrow's science and technology workforce.

I am proud of the work being undertaken in our district to support domestic semiconductor manufacturing technology development as they work to address the supply chain. I look forward to working with the administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce on implementation of the America COMPETES Act and the CHIPS for America fund.

In this bill, we were able to get an amendment to clarify that chips funding also includes nonprofits in places like NeoCity. We appreciate the House for supporting this, adding nonprofits to the definition of ``covered entities'' to expand the semiconductor incentive program to include nonprofit entities, clarifying that nonprofit entities like 501(c)(3) facilities in NeoCity are also eligible for funding under the semiconductor incentive program.

We are helping with aerospace there. We are starting to work with commercial space like NASA and SpaceX and Blue Origin.

The bill also includes my second amendment. We know that we are boosting forward on artificial intelligence. We need to make sure, as we are doing that and seeing more autonomous vehicles and other artificial intelligence uses, we are training our labor force ahead of time for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

That is why I am proud that the AI JOBS Act passed as an amendment and directs the Department of Labor to create a report analyzing the future of our artificial intelligence and its impacts on the American workforce.

Specifically, the report would collect data to analyze which industries are projected to have the most growth through artificial intelligence and the demographics which may experience expanded career opportunities and those most vulnerable to job displacement. This is an inclusion of our standalone bill, H.R. 6553, the AI JOBS Act.

Thirdly, we were able to include an amendment for the blockchain and cryptocurrency specialists within the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy is required to establish a blockchain and cryptocurrency advisory specialist position within the Office to advise the President on matters related to blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

OSTP advises the President and others within the Executive Office of the President on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of the economy, national security, homeland security, health, foreign relations, and the environment. It is critical to create such a position within OSTP to ensure there is a policy expert capable of advising the President and others within the Executive Office on these issues of growing national importance.

Madam Speaker, there is more because we have the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, which passed through our Committee on Natural Resources to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act, the CRCA, which expired nearly 15 years ago. It maintains the NOAA coral reef program while also introducing overdue improvements to coral management and restoration efforts and giving new, innovative tools to States, territories, Tribes, communities, and universities, partners who are closest to this crisis.

We know that the Great Florida Reef is in danger, and we are doing everything we can to restore it. This is critical to our recreation, to clean water, to protect habitat, and to tourism.

A few of the provisions included in the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, a bipartisan bill that passed unanimously out of the Natural Resources Committee, include a 5-year authorization, with the explicit focus on restoration activities where natural disasters and human activities have degraded reef ecosystems. This program is currently funded at $33 million for 2021, but without further direction from Congress.

It creates a block grant program where States and territories can receive Federal matching funds for the prior year's coral expenditures provided they have an action plan in place, so we are getting action plans in place which will incentivize, increase State and local investment in coral reef management capacity.

We are also helping intergovernmental partnerships that are key for water infrastructure upgrades, pollution mitigation efforts, and regrowing reefs. It allows for the formation of public-private partnerships for coral management called Coral Reef Stewardship Partnerships. Public-private partnerships are critical for sharing research.

It also authorizes the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to ensure States, territories, and other stakeholders continue to have a voice in U.S. coral reef management. Public feedback is essential.

It establishes a single streamlined set of guidelines for action plans to implement the national strategy, with maximum flexibility given to State and local authorities. These action plans will focus restoration efforts more effectively. They also allow for emergency grants and emergency funds for coral disasters. This is critical for hurricane-prone areas like Florida and will assist with hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, as well as oil spills, and other major pollution events.

We thank all House Members who supported this for its inclusion, along with these technological amendments, these coral reef provisions in this essential piece of legislation that allows us to compete in the 21st century.

It is in the name, Madam Speaker, and together we are going to get this done. Honoring Dr. Faye Bellamy

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Dr. Faye Bellamy. Dr. Faye Bellamy is a retired educator. She worked full time in the Polk and Hillsborough County school districts. Presently she works part time as a professor at Polk State College.

In addition to her experience teaching various subjects, she has countless hours organizing and implementing dropout prevention programs, training teachers, and working to improve our local schools.

Dr. Bellamy has a bachelor's degree in social science education, a master's degree in education administration, a specialist degree in administration and supervision, and a doctorate in educational leadership and higher education. She has used the knowledge gained from her research and studies to help students obtain academic excellence.

She has worked many years with civil rights organizations to improve the school system for Black people. Her focus has been on changing unfair disciplinary practices, seeking solutions to low academic performance and low test scores, as well as the lack of diversity in hiring practices.

Dr. Bellamy is the founder and director of Chain of Lakes Achievers, a community tutorial program. COLA was designed to assist the schools in improving students' grades and test scores.

Dr. Bellamy has worked in partnership with government officials at all levels to improve Black neighborhoods. She has been instrumental in bringing about changes that include installing sidewalks and speed bumps, creating recreational programs, increasing sewer connections, decreasing criminal activities, upgrading housing, replacing houses, constructing a restoration park, assisting businesses, and more.

She has contributed to the community by providing housing and employment as an entrepreneur. Dr. Bellamy has also served as a housing commissioner. She is presently affiliated with the Hurst Chapel AME, FAMU alumni, NAACP, and the Concerned Citizens of Polk County.

Dr. Bellamy has received recognition from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Polk County Chapter, Inc., the NAACP, COLA, Chain of Lakes Achievers, and Jewett High School Alumni Association, Inc. She also received the key to the city of Winter Haven, Florida.

For this and more, Dr. Faye Bellamy, we honor you. Honoring Dr. Eugenia Agard

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Mr. SOTO. In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Dr. Eugenia Agard. Dr. Agard's values have a direct impact on influencing her desire to assist communities in crisis. Therefore, it is imperative that she provide services to aid in alleviating debilitating conditions.

Dr. Agard established and operates a private practice, HUGS. Her treatment model is to treat the whole person. Dr. Agard's areas of specialty are treating patients suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and physical health issues co-occurring with depression.

Dr. Agard is a very passionate speaker and a facilitator of education health forums and workshops to promote healthy living from the inside out. Dr. Agard continuously hosts health forums free of charge for the community and schools to prevent barriers to healthcare, from providing topics focused on the prevention of hypertension, diabetes, STDs, obesity, breast cancer, bullying, and more.

Dr. Agard works diligently to abate the stigma of mental health. Dr. Agard educates the community on signs and symptoms of mental health treatment and support options. Dr. Agard has always been on the front line to provide crisis counseling services during both regional crises and world crises.

During the Pulse nightclub shooting, she provided free and confidential counseling to many of the victims and organized healing forums in Osceola County for everyone impacted by this act of terrorism.

Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Agard immediately offered counseling services to frontline workers, creating solutions for self care, prevention of burnout, and anxiety and depression reduction techniques.

For the general public, Dr. Agard immediately created a free community outreach forum, HUGS Healing Hour, via Zoom for individuals and organizations to restore the sense of community amongst the isolation and depression. She provided therapeutic coping skills to combat depression and anxiety and assisted children being home schooled.

Dr. Agard continues to educate the community on COVID-19, creating forums on support, exploring fiction versus fact, and problem-solving vaccination hesitancy.

Dr. Agard serves in leadership roles on many community agencies, boards, and organizations. She serves as health chair and health director of a nonprofit where she provides medical supplies to poor areas to prevent the loss of life.

For this and more, Dr. Eugenia Agard, we honor you. Honoring Kimberly Saunders

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Mr. SOTO. In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Kimberly Saunders. Kimberly Saunders is in her fourth year serving as president of the Central Florida chapter of the National Black MBA Association, Inc., a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to lead in the creation of educational, wealth building, and growth opportunities for those historically underrepresented through their careers as students, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

Since 2015, she has served in various volunteer capacities, such as partnerships chair, vice president of operations, and a continuing role as a mentor for the Leaders of Tomorrow program, which serves high school students in the areas of leadership, college and career preparation, financial literacy, and life skills.

She has been instrumental in developing corporate partnerships, securing grants, fund-raising, and facilitating programs to provide the organization with resources to serve its members and community through the central Florida region.

Her dedication and service to the organization and its mission were recognized in 2021, as she was one of two awardees for Chapter President of the Year by the national organization, which currently has 41 chapters nationwide.

Professionally, Kimberly has spent the last 11 years in the financial services industry. She is a managing partner for VestWyze, LLC, a State of Florida registered investment advisory company. In her role as an investment adviser and certified financial planner professional, she serves her clients' best interests by providing sound and knowledgeable advice.

Kimberly also serves as a board member for the Goldsboro Front Porch Council, a Florida-designated community. She is also a member of the local chapter of the National Alumni Association for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, otherwise known as FAMU, where she earned her bachelor of science in management and master of business administration.

At the core of Kimberly's heart are her faith and family. She hopes to continue to positively impact lives personally and professional.

For this and more, Kimberly Saunders, we honor you. Honoring Melody Taylor

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Mr. SOTO. In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Melody Taylor. Melody Taylor is a board-certified registered nurse with years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has earned a master of science in nursing leadership and management. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing. Melody serves as a nurse leader at Orlando Health.

Ms. Taylor is recognized as a dedicated community and nurse advocate, having led many initiatives empowering low-income families to succeed and advancing the field of nursing. From 2007 to 2014, she engaged with the city of Orlando Office of Community Affairs to improve social determinants of health in at-risk populations. During that time, she became a volunteer on the citizens' review panel for the city of Orlando. Her leadership was the key driver in mobilizing low-income families to mainstream society along with the collaborations of nonprofit, faith-based, business, and governmental entities.

Ms. Taylor is a founding member and president of Black Nurses Rock Orlando. She is also a board member of the Black Nurses Rock Foundation, where she has served as the director of chapter development for 23 chapters across the United States. Ms. Taylor was recognized as the Black Nurses Rock Foundation Leader of the Year in 2018.

Community advocacy has always been a priority for Melody. She will continue to empower and inspire innovative leaders to advance in the field of nursing and promote preventative health to decrease healthcare disparities in vulnerable communities.

Melody is the middle child of five children and the mother to a handsome son named John and a beautiful daughter named Katia. She has six beautiful grandchildren: Drevion, Keonte, Sincere, Harmonie, Jayla, and Jaliyah.

Melody will continue her volunteer service to build a better community for the citizens living in central Florida and advance the field of nursing across the globe.

For this and more, Melody Taylor, we honor you. Honoring Carol Bradley

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Mr. SOTO. In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize Officer Carol Bradley. Officer Carol Bradley has proudly served and protected the citizens of Winter Haven, Florida, for 30 years.

Officer Bradley served in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 1983. In 1986, she decided to follow her dreams and began her journey in law enforcement. From 1986 to 1991, she worked as a corrections officer at Polk Correctional Institution.

After working with PCI for 5 years, she decided to take her dream a step further and began her career with the Winter Haven Police Department as the first African American female community service officer for the city of Winter Haven.

Officer Bradley immensely enjoys serving as a good will ambassador for the city of Winter Haven and bridging the gap between the city police and the citizens in the community. In 1993 she transitioned from a civilian position to a sworn officer position.

She was promoted to patrol officer II in October of 1997. She then was awarded the chief accommodation for outstanding service to her community in January of 2001.

She enjoys serving her community through her church activities. She also received the Optimist Club award for her distinguished services.

She received several letters of accommodation from the community in 2009. In addition, she received the bureau accommodation for the protection of residential property in February of 2010.

Officer Bradley received the Circle of Love award for the Ridge Career Center for contributions to single mothers and the homeless.

She was promoted to master officer in May of 2017.

Mentoring the youth in the Orrin Circle community was a rewarding experience as well.

Making history once again in 1998, Officer Bradley became the first HUD and homeless coalition officer for the city of Winter Haven. Implementing that homeless program as an officer was also very rewarding for her.

From 2006 to 2018, Officer Bradley worked in Winter Haven's public schools as a school resource officer. She also worked with two other officers in the DARE program within the elementary schools.

Officer Bradley ended her career as a law enforcement officer with Winter Haven on December 27, 2021, yielding a total amount of 35 years as a law enforcement officer.

Officer Bradley is married to her spouse, Terry Bradley. They have two daughters, one son, and two granddaughters.

For this and more, Officer Carol Bradley, we honor you. Honoring Reginald Hardee

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Reginald Hardee.

Reginald Hardee is the information technology leader for Florida's Turnpike Enterprise and has more than 22 years of State government experience with a focus on strategic planning, budgeting, building, and leading support and development teams in a public-sector setting.

Reginald earned the Ben G. Watts Leader of the Year for the authority in 2020. Reginald currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the Osceola County Council on Aging, the Osceola Historical Society, and a member of the City of Kissimmee Fire Pension Board.

Reginald also serves the community as a member and officer of Bethel AME Church, NAACP, Kissimmee Masonic Lodge 68, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Reginald has served for 10 years as a member of the board of directors for the Kissimmee Utility Authority and was elected to serve as KUA chairman in 2013, a role he served for 4 years. He was the first African American to serve on the KUA board.

The Kissimmee Utility Authority board of directors established an electrical line worker scholarship in the name of Reginald Hardee and rededicated its employee events building as the Reginald Hardee Employee Pavilion, honoring his decade of service. Reginald was also recognized by the Kissimmee City Commission with a proclamation.

Reginald received the Distinguished Leadership and Service Award from Osceola Visionaries for positively impacting the community in the spirit of the teachings and example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reginald is also a recipient of the American Public Power Association Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award.

Hardee is a native of Kissimmee, born to a midwife on Kissimmee's Lake Street. Reginald is a veteran of the Army Reserves, a University of Florida alumnus, and a graduate of Florida State University's public manager program.

For this and more, Mr. Reginald Hardee, we honor you. Honoring Tanisha Nunn Gary

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Tanisha Nunn Gary.

A consummate business professional and accomplished attorney, Tanisha Nunn Gary is the president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, a leading advocate for business development and economic empowerment.

As head of the established nonprofit, Tanisha is responsible for cultivating strong relationships with key community leaders and corporate entities to enhance opportunities for members and engage partners on initiatives.

Tanisha oversees all outreach efforts for the chamber, which encompasses six counties, and she executes strategic planning to ensure the chamber's voice is included in economic, education, and community conversations that impact the region.

The AACCCF boasts a varied membership and revolves around four pillars: advocacy, access to capital, contracts, and entrepreneur training and development. As a former business owner, Tanisha is intimately familiar with what it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur and is uniquely qualified to lead the AACCCF into its next chapter of growth.

Prior to being named president of the AACCCF, she was the principal of a private law firm focused on all aspects of litigation for wrongful death cases and medical negligence. Her solo practice and early work as a senior associate for Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary landed multimillion-dollar settlements.

In addition to her legal prowess, Tanisha served as the executive director of The Gary Foundation, where she identified major donor prospects to help provide scholarships to Florida youth.

Tanisha is an active member of several civic and professional associations, including the Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative, Truist Advisory Board, Orlando Economic Partnership Board, United Arts Board, and Florida Association of Chamber Professionals.

In 2021, Tanisha was named as one of the Orlando Business Journal's CEOs of the Year and 50 Central Florida Power Players. Additionally, the Orlando Magic recognized Tanisha as a hometown hero and a social justice game changer.

Tanisha is also a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., the Orlando chapter of The Links, Inc., and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

A graduate of Spelman College and the Quinnipiac University School of Law, Tanisha enjoys traveling, reading, baking, and spending time with her son.

For this and more, Tanisha Nunn Gary, we honor you. Honoring Tony Jenkins

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Tony Jenkins.

Tony Jenkins is the Florida Blue market president for the central Florida region, where he provides strategic oversight and leads a team in developing business plans to increase and retain membership, enhance brand visibility, and coordinate employee engagement.

Tony was instrumental in establishing Florida Blue's diversity efforts in 2001. Prior to joining Florida Blue, Jenkins served as the director of diversity for CSX Corporation, the largest rail network in the Eastern United States. He also spent 18 years with the Walt Disney World Company in various leadership roles, specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Under Tony's leadership in central Florida, Florida Blue has been recognized as a Best Place to Work, an outstanding diverse corporation, and a corporate philanthropy honoree.

Tony is an advocate for several causes throughout the Orlando community. He is the past chair for United Arts of Central Florida and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Tony currently serves on the board of Florida Citrus Sports and is a board trustee at Stetson University.

Tony is chair-elect for the Orlando Economic Partnership board, where he also serves as chair for their DEI task force, engaging Orlando's business leaders across varied industries.

Tony has been recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as one of central Florida's Top 10 Businessmen to Watch and CEO of the Year. Most recently, Tony received the publication's Diversity in Business Lifetime Achievement Award. Tony is also an I-4 Business Magazine Business Leader of the Year award recipient.

Tony holds a bachelor of arts in hospitality management from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia.

For this and more, Tony Jenkins, we honor you. Honoring Marecia Jefferson-Lias

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Marecia Jefferson-Lias.

Hailing from the great city of Quincy, Florida, Marecia Jefferson- Lias is the daughter of Wilbert Sr. and Janie Jefferson.

Her father's successful fruit contracting business brought the family to Polk County, Florida, where Marecia embarked on an amazing journey of academic excellence. After graduating from Effingham County High School in Savannah, Georgia, Marecia returned to Florida and enrolled in Polk Community College, now Polk State College.

Marecia received an associate's degree in liberal arts. Marecia then matriculated to the all-mighty Bethune Cookman College, now Bethune Cookman University, receiving a bachelor's degree in education.

If the phrase ``can't stop, won't stop'' was a person, then Marecia would be the titleholder of that mantra. Marecia continued her studies at the University of South Florida, receiving a master of education in organizational leadership.

Marecia took her educational talent to the Polk County School Board, where she spent 16 years as a certified educator, holding various positions such as elementary teacher, reading coach, medical academy director, and health science clinical nurse and instructor.

Marecia's gift of being an educator and a nurturer allowed her to receive her bachelor's degree in nursing from Polk State College. Marecia went to Florida Southern College and obtained her master's degree in nursing, specializing as a family nurse practitioner. Marecia is currently matriculating her doctorate at the same college, with a projected completion date of 2023.

Mrs. Jefferson-Lias truly lives by the words ``divinely speaking life one breath at a time.'' Not only has Marecia achieved everything that she has set her mind to possess, but she is also the epitome of a leader, advocate, nurturer, and mentor. Her compassion for people and helping others stems from a generational line of educators and nurses, including a great-grandmother who was a nurse-midwife.

The same dedication Marecia carries as a nurse and community leader allowed her to recognize the need for more nurses and nursing assistants. Marecia started a company that offers training and prep courses for nurses during the pandemic since that void needs to be filled in her community. Marecia currently is the owner of Divine Essential Medical Academy, LLC, as well as other business ventures.

Marecia is a blessed wife, mother, and godmother. Marecia is an inspiration to her family, friends, and community.

For that and more, Marecia Jefferson-Lias, we honor you. Honoring Valparisa J. Baker

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I recognize Valparisa J. Baker.

Valparisa J. Baker, a native Floridian, most recently served as the chief diversity officer at Polk State College. Prior to her recent retirement, Ms. Baker was employed with the college since 1988, where she held multiple positions of advancement.

Ms. Baker has a master's degree in higher education from the National-Louis University, a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida, and an associate's degree from Polk State College.

Ms. Baker has a strong commitment to her church, the New Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as an active first lady. Ms. Baker serves as the chairperson for the education scholarship ministry, adviser for the women intermediate ministry, pastor's aide ministry, and media ministry.

Ms. Baker is the newly appointed vice president for the ministers' wives and ministers' widows of the First South Florida Missionary Baptist District Association.

Ms. Baker has received numerous citations and awards from area organizations. Most recently, she received the 2021 Drum Major for Justice Award presented by the Haines City NAACP, was the 2021 Juneteenth honoree for the Juneteenth Observance Lakeland Committee, as well as the 2018 Distinguished Citizen for the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Boy Scouts of America.

Ms. Baker is a graduate of the National Council of Black American Affairs Leadership Program, Florida Chancellor's Leadership Program, Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership, Winter Haven Class XX, and Polk Vision Leadership Polk Class v. Ms. Baker is very active in civic groups and serves on numerous boards, including the Florence Villa Community Development Center, Polk Vision LIFT Mentor Leadership Council, and the City of Winter Haven Juneteenth Steering Committee.

Ms. Baker has a strong passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Through Ms. Baker's community involvement, she continues her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion for all.

Ms. Baker enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She and her husband of 34 years, Reverend Derrick L. Baker, have two children, Stephen and Marquitta, and two grandsons, Gavin and Malachi.

For this and more, Ms. Valparisa J. Baker, we honor you.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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