Darren Soto
Representative for Florida · Democratic · United States
“Speaker, here we are many years later, 13 years later, and an idea that I got to write many years ago now is being led by great leaders like Vern Buchanan--I am a proud cosponsor of this--and Gus Bilirakis, a great Floridians whom I enjoy working with, and, of course, Frank Pallone, our ranking member.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I want to start with a little history lesson. Back in 2013, this was my bill. I wrote this bill. I thought it was a pretty good name, the Sunshine Protection Act, back in the day. It was for good reason. I had gotten to the State senate.”
“It made far more sense to keep daylight saving time, which is the 8 months out of the year that we have light in the afternoons and evenings. I filed that bill without a press release back in 2013. It became statewide news.”
“Then I encourage schools and educational institutions around the Nation, to adjust school start times based upon what they think is best to keep kids safe.”
“Executive vice president of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and chief executive officer of the Florida Beef Council since 1998, Jim has also served as executive director of the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation, executive director of the Florida COW PAC, chief operating officer of the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board, and managing editor…”
“Executive vice president of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and chief executive officer of the Florida Beef Council since 1998, Jim has also served as executive director of the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation, executive director of the Florida COW PAC, chief operating officer of the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board, and managing editor…”
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“Then I encourage schools and educational institutions around the Nation, to adjust school start times based upon what they think is best to keep kids safe. At the end of the day, we have talked about how it is good for business, good for recreation, and good to help out with making sure that we don't have this public health issue every time we are changing the clocks back and forth. It is finally time to bring sunshine across the Nation, and I urge my colleagues to support this amazing Sunshine Protection Act.”
“Speaker, here we are many years later, 13 years later, and an idea that I got to write many years ago now is being led by great leaders like Vern Buchanan--I am a proud cosponsor of this--and Gus Bilirakis, a great Floridians whom I enjoy working with, and, of course, Frank Pallone, our ranking member. There is a reason this bill was so popular for so long. Small businesses like it because people, after work, go out to businesses and get to have fun. Beach communities like it. With that one extra hour of sunshine, kids can go out and play after school. We saw that people are sick of the changing of the clocks. Also, the local farmer doesn't need Big Government to tell them what time to wake up in the morning. They know what time they [[Page H4448]] want to wake up, no matter what, so that change isn't going to affect them at all.”
“It made far more sense to keep daylight saving time, which is the 8 months out of the year that we have light in the afternoons and evenings. I filed that bill without a press release back in 2013. It became statewide news. For 4 years straight, every time this bill came up, it was the most viewed bill in the Florida Senate for 4 years straight. I will say that I never got a chance to pass that bill out of the Florida Legislature, although I know some of my colleagues who are here today ended up doing it after I was gone. It is one of the burdens of being a Democrat in a Republican-dominated legislature. Mr.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I want to start with a little history lesson. Back in 2013, this was my bill. I wrote this bill. I thought it was a pretty good name, the Sunshine Protection Act, back in the day. It was for good reason. I had gotten to the State senate. In the State House, you can only file a certain number of bills, but once we got to the State senate, I really got jelling on coming up with ideas that would help our State. Up until that point, every idea on trying to stop the clock change was going to standard time. No one likes standard time. It is darkness in the wintertime, and so we, as The Sunshine State--a lot of Floridians here--and coastal New Jerseyans and others here from Louisiana, we like the sunshine.”
“Jim Handley retires, leaving a legacy of integrity, leadership, and loyal service to Florida agriculture. ____________________”
“Throughout his career, Jim has also served on numerous volunteer boards, including the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET), the Florida 4-H Foundation, the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, and the Florida Agriculture Council, among others. While he has received more awards than he would ever mention himself, one recent honor stands out. In 2024, he was both surprised and humbled by the establishment of the Jim Handley Endowed Professorship of Beef Sciences at the University of Florida. The endowment was created by the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation in recognition of Jim's unwavering commitment to the future of Florida's cattle industry, its people, and the quality of education coming from the state's flagship land-grant university.”
“Executive vice president of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and chief executive officer of the Florida Beef Council since 1998, Jim has also served as executive director of the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation, executive director of the Florida COW PAC, chief operating officer of the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board, and managing editor of The Florida Cattleman and Livestock Journal. Though Jim isn't one for fanfare, his contributions speak volumes. He has always led with heart--building genuine relationships and championing education, youth involvement, and public outreach. His guidance helped expand fundraising efforts, modernize facilities, and elevate Florida's cattle industry on multiple fronts. Jim's leadership has forged Florida into one of the strongest and most respected state associations in the country.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E366] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JIM HANDLEY FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO FLORIDA AGRICULTURE ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Jim Handley retired from his roles at the Florida Cattlemen's Association after 27 years of service on April 15, 2025.”
“Jim Handley retires, leaving a legacy of integrity, leadership, and loyal service to Florida agriculture. ____________________”
“Throughout his career, Jim has also served on numerous volunteer boards, including the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET), the Florida 4-H Foundation, the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, and the Florida Agriculture Council, among others. While he has received more awards than he would ever mention himself, one recent honor stands out. In 2024, he was both surprised and humbled by the establishment of the Jim Handley Endowed Professorship of Beef Sciences at the University of Florida. The endowment was created by the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation in recognition of Jim's unwavering commitment to the future of Florida's cattle industry, its people, and the quality of education coming from the state's flagship land-grant university.”
“Executive vice president of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and chief executive officer of the Florida Beef Council since 1998, Jim has also served as executive director of the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation, executive director of the Florida COW PAC, chief operating officer of the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board, and managing editor of The Florida Cattleman and Livestock Journal. Though Jim isn't one for fanfare, his contributions speak volumes. He has always led with heart--building genuine relationships and championing education, youth involvement, and public outreach. His guidance helped expand fundraising efforts, modernize facilities, and elevate Florida's cattle industry on multiple fronts. Jim's leadership has forged Florida into one of the strongest and most respected state associations in the country.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E366] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JIM HANDLEY FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO FLORIDA AGRICULTURE ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Jim Handley retired from his roles at the Florida Cattlemen's Association after 27 years of service on April 15, 2025.”
“Her contagious smile, her charisma, her personality, and her charitable heart will live on in our memories forever. ____________________”
“While with Oracle, Nicole was instrumental in having the company engage in charitable endeavors to help the less fortunate in her community. Prior to her passing, she left her position in management to dedicate more time to helping the less fortunate and volunteering at a homeless assistance program. Nicole leaves a legacy of service and commitment to helping spread her faith and to helping the less fortunate. Although she left us at a young age, the impact of her efforts will last a lifetime. Many were touched by her kind spirit, her warm and affectionate smile, her deep faith in God, and her commitment to serving others. She was loved and cherished by her family and friends. While her life was short, her impact on this world was substantial. Nicole's memory will live on through her friends and family.”
“She was also a member of the Gateway High School Osceola County District Champion Swim team in 2015. Following high school, Nicole majored in marketing at the University of Central Florida. While in college, she joined her father, Juan Jose Rodriguez, in the marketing department at Michael T. Gibson, P.A. There, she founded the firm's social media efforts and served as the director for social media marketing. While at UCF, Nicole was very active in politics. leading voter registration drives and organizing UCF students to vote. During this time, she also participated with her father on several charitable missions, including trips to Honduras, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. After graduation, Nicole was hired and worked for Marriott and Oracle, two Fortune 500 companies. These positions took her to Hawaii and Austin, Texas.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E360] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE OF HELENA NICOLE RODRIGUEZ ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, from a young age, Helena Nicole Rodriguez displayed leadership and charisma. She lived a life of service in her church and helping the less fortunate in her community. Growing up, Nicole was a leader and mentor to the youth congregation in her church. While in high school at Gateway High School, she received awards and commendations for her academics.”
“Achievement Award from Inter-Civic Council of the Southern Christian Leadership Council; 1996 Commitment to Excellence Award from Mid-Florida Chapter of NFBPA; 1992 Summit Award from the Women's Source Center; and Life Time Achievement Award from the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League. ____________________”
“Career highlights, honors, and awards include: Having roads designated for Bob Billingslea, July Perry, Edna Hargrett, and Bessie Coleman; Resolution for George Starke and exoneration of the Groveland Four; Recipient of the 2022-2023 Humanitarian Award from the Orlando International Film Festival; 2021 Civil Rights Hall of Fame from City of Orlando 2022; Outstanding Public Official Award from Healthy Start Coalition of Orange County; 2019 MLK Humanitarian Award from Central Florida Steppers; 2022 Warrior for Democracy Award from The League of Women's Voters: 2022 Mountain Top Trailblazer Award from Cultured Pearls of Alpha Kappa Alpha; 2018 Drum Major Social Justice Award from Alpha Pi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; 2016 Legislative Advocacy Award from Democratic Women's Club of Florida Inc.; 2013 Mary Hatwood Human and Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association; 2012 Martin Luther King Jr.”
“She was elected to the Florida Senate in 2012 and served until 2016, and she was serving as the senator of Senate District 15 in Orlando at the time of her death. Significant legislation that she initiated and passed included bills to exonerate the Groveland Four, provide compensation to James Joseph Richardson, who was wrongfully incarcerated for 22 years, outlaw discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace, and a Specialty License Plate to benefit organizations that comprise the Divine Nine with 85 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the plate benefitting the organizations to support scholarships.”
“Senator Thompson developed a reputation as a respected local historian for compiling the history of African Americans in Central Florida and authoring the book ``Black America: Orlando, Florida.'' She developed a passion for the history of African Americans in Central Florida. She wrote a play based on her book called ``A Vote a Voice.'' Her passion led her to preserve one of Orlando's unique landmarks, the Wells'Built Hotel. During the days of segregation, it provided lodging to some of America's most prominent citizens, including Justice Thurgood Marshall, Ray Charles, and performers on the chitlin circuit. Today, that landmark is known as the Wells'Built Museum of African American History and Culture. She served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2012 and 2018 to 2022.”
“She enjoyed reading, writing, volunteering, and traveling. She attended Miami Dade Community College. After receiving a scholarship to the University of Miami, she received an undergraduate degree in 1970 and a Master of Science from Florida State University in 1973. Geraldine F. Thompson served for six years as an Orange County Public Schools teacher. She later served for 24 years as an administrator at Valencia Community College, where she established the College Reach Out Program, which enabled thousands of low-income and disadvantaged students to fulfill their dream of going to college.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 60 (Thursday, April 3, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 60 (Thursday, April 3, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING GERALDINE F. THOMPSON'S SERVICE TO THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Thursday, April 3, 2025 Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Geraldine F. Thompson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up in the South Dade town of Perrine, Florida, where members of her family worked in agriculture and construction. She was married to the Honorable Emerson R. Thompson, Jr. She was the mother of three children--Laurise, Emerson III, and Elizabeth--and the proud grandmother of six granddaughters and one great-grandson.”