[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2022)] [House] [Pages H205-H206] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] WELCOMING THE HONORABLE SHEILA CHERFILUS-McCORMICK TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz- Balart) is recognized for 1 minute. There was no objection. Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, as the dean of the Florida delegation, I have the honor of welcoming Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida's 20th District to the United States House of Representatives. Our new colleague will fill the seat of my late dear friend, Alcee Hastings. Now, similar to the district that I am honored to represent, Florida's 20th District is extremely diverse and covers urban and agricultural areas in both Palm Beach and Broward Counties. Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick is the proud daughter of Haitian immigrants, and she was born in Brooklyn, New York. Madam Speaker, after finishing college at Howard University, she moved to Florida to attend St. Thomas University School of Law. Although she left Florida to become a project manager at the New York City Transit Authority, it wasn't long before Florida's sunshine brought her back to Florida. In 1999, she joined Trinity Health Care Services and eventually became the company's CEO. Madam Speaker, this once single mother is the epitome of the American Dream and represents the aspiration of so many of our South Florida neighbors. I look forward, Madam Speaker, to working with our newest colleague on the issues of importance to our country and to South Florida. Florida's congressional delegation is honored to welcome Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick to the United States House of Representatives. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick), who is our newest Member of Congress. Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Diaz-Balart for those kinds words and introduction. I would first like to thank my family: my husband, Corlie McCormick, my daughter, Ismanie McCormick, and son, Jackson McCormick, who are in the gallery. I would like to thank my team and my family, and especially God, who has brought us this far. I am a child of immigrant parents who risked their lives to come to the United States. I thank my colleagues who fought for me even before I was born here to ensure that immigrants can actually have a place in our country and can live the American Dream. So I thank Members in advance because that is how I got here. I also want to thank the 20th District who fought with us and who believed in a new voice and is giving this little Haitian-American girl a chance to fight for our country. I would like to say a special thank you for all the pastors who prayed. I pledge to work as hard as I can, tirelessly, to ensure that District 20 and the United States are getting their needs met. I pledge to work as hard as [[Page H206]] I can with every Member who is present today as we move forward upholding the Constitution and the promises, all the promises that brought me here today. For the other children who were told that it could never happen for them, we fight today, and we join hands today. ____________________