Small Business Saturday

Floor Speech

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and uplift Small Business Saturday this year.

Every year, our country celebrates Small Business Saturday the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year that will be November 29, and I encourage my constituents in California's 31st District and all Americans to participate by shopping small business and supporting our local businesses.

Coming from California's 31st District, I am proud to represent a thriving and diverse community of small businesses in the San Gabriel Valley. From cafes and restaurants, to bookstores, toy shops, party supply stores, and many more, our district is fortunate to have an abundance of locally owned small businesses bringing life and community to our cities.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach Small Business Saturday and the holiday season, I encourage everyone to shop small and take some time to support your local businesses. By doing so, you are supporting your neighbors, growing your local economy, and making your community stronger. Recognizing Mr. Kenneth Singleton

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary military servicemember now serving our public schools.

Mr. Kenneth Singleton has dedicated decades of service to our community. From serving in the U.S. Army and completing several tours, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia, his commitment to service earned him the Meritorious Service Award five times.

For Mr. Singleton, public service didn't end after the uniform came off, though. His second mission serving our next generation began in the Monrovia Unified School District as the director of food service.

He has been a vital part of the school district, ensuring our students have healthy, nutritious meals every day to focus and thrive on their studies.

Mr. Singleton has brought discipline, leadership, and a commitment to service to our schools in Monrovia Unified. Our community is fortunate to have a dedicated public servant like him.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Singleton for his military service and his exemplary public service to our students and schools. Recognizing Penny Stevenson

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding community member, veteran, and leader in California's 31st District in the city of San Dimas.

Penny Stevenson is the board president of the San Dimas H.E.R.O.E.S. Organization, whose mission is to honor all San Dimas veterans by engraving their names on a permanent monument at Freedom Park in San Dimas, California.

As a U.S. Marine veteran herself and with a family of veterans, Penny has shown incredible commitment, sacrifice, and leadership serving as president to this organization dedicated to honoring our veterans and servicemembers. This is Penny's last year serving as board president, a position she has held since 2009.

Mr. Speaker, I thank her and commend her for all the work she has done to recognize our servicemembers for the past 16 years. Just this past Veterans Day, I was honored to visit the H.E.R.O.E.S. monument at Freedom Park, and I can attest to the honor it brings to our veteran community. I, again, thank her for her leadership and tireless efforts. Honoring 2026 Teachers of the Year

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Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exciting achievement of two dedicated educators in California's 31st District.

Mr. Rene Romero and Dr. Heather Povinelli were both named 2026 California Teachers of the Year.

Mr. Romero is an 11th and 12th grade international baccalaureate language and literature teacher at South Hills High School in the Covina Valley Unified School District. He has been teaching for 21 years and has developed an outstanding reputation for his creativity, compassion, and dedication to his students.

His inclusive and supportive classroom has exemplified good teaching, and he has well-earned the title of Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Heather Povinelli is a second grade teacher at Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy in the Monrovia Unified School District.

For 25 years, she has dedicated her career to teaching in elementary classrooms. Living with dwarfism, Dr. Povinelli uses her own lived experience as an opportunity to empower students and teach about disabilities, inclusion, and equity.

Not only is she an incredible teacher, but she is an inspiration and a trailblazer to students of all backgrounds.

Mr. Speaker, I thank both Mr. Romero and Dr. Povinelli for their commitment to teaching our future generations and congratulate them on these immense achievements.

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