Speeches and Statements

Thank you, Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon.   And good afternoon everybody.   I’m Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy from Orlando.   I’m honored to be here at this historic ceremony, and humbled to have played a part in officially designating today, April 13 th , and every April 13 th going forward, as “National Borinqueneers Day.”        I want to acknowledge Secretary McDonough, General McConville, Congressman Soto, and Mr. Sam Rodriguez.   Together, they represent... Read more

Good morning, everybody. John, thank you for the introduction. And thank you to you and Shirley for inviting me. It’s great to be here with the Rotary Club of Oviedo. You’ve graciously asked me to speak about someone who is near and dear to my heart. It’s a person I never had the privilege to meet, but a person whose life and legacy inspire me very deeply, and a person whom I’ve tried to honor in different ways since I came to Congress in 2017. I’m talking, of course, about the late, great Alwyn... Read more

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment in the en bloc package.  If it is approved, I will vote for the bill.   The PRO Act aims to protect the right of workers to decide whether to form a union that can negotiate with their employer over working conditions.   It proceeds from the principle that America is stronger when the middle class is stronger—and the middle class is stronger when unions are stronger.   This principle is personal for me.  I grew up in Virginia,... Read more

Good morning.   I’m Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy.     There are over 100,000 people in my Orlando district who were born in Puerto Rico or who have Puerto Rican roots.   The state of Florida itself is now home to over 1.1 million Puerto Ricans, more than any other state.     The cause we are here to discuss—equality for the people of Puerto Rico—matters to the people of Florida, and it matters to me personally.     I want to acknowledge a few friends and... Read more

Mr. Speaker: I rise in support of the Equality Act, a long-overdue measure I’ve cosponsored to expand important civil rights protections to every American. This is personal for me and my district.  Central Florida is an area that prides itself on its diversity, compassion, and inclusiveness. But tragedy struck in June 2016 when a gunman walked into the Pulse nightclub and took the lives of 49 innocent people. Our community relied on those same values—diversity, compassion, and inclusiveness—to... Read more

Mr. Speaker: I rise to honor David King, a constituent of mine who recently passed away. David was born and raised in Tennessee.  He attended Tennessee Technical College and Vanderbilt Law School, where he was an editor of the law review. David then served honorably in the Marine Corps, deploying to Vietnam. Following his military service, David relocated to Orlando, with his college sweetheart Marilyn by his side.  Together, they made Central Florida home. David was a trial attorney of... Read more

Mr. Speaker: As part of our national celebration of Black History Month, I am paying tribute to African-American leaders from Florida who have made outstanding contributions to our community and our country. These accomplished men and women have not always received the recognition they have earned. Today I rise to honor Arthenia Joyner. Born in Lakeland and raised in Tampa, Ms. Joyner has been a champion for justice and equality from a young age, participating in her first civil rights demonstration... Read more

Mr. Speaker: As part of our national celebration of Black History Month, I am paying tribute to African-American leaders from Florida who have made outstanding contributions to our community and our country. These accomplished men and women have not always received the recognition they have earned. Today I rise to honor Linda Hill Anderson. Linda is a fourth-generation Hollywood, Florida native. She graduated from Hollywood Hills High School and Sheridan Vocational School and served in the Broward... Read more

Mr. Speaker: As part of our national celebration of Black History Month, I am paying tribute to African-American leaders from Florida who have made outstanding contributions to our community and our country. These accomplished men and women have not always received the recognition they have earned. Today I rise to honor Shevrin Jones. Shevrin grew up in Carol City. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Florida A&M University and his master’s degree in educational... Read more

Mr. Speaker: As part of our national celebration of Black History Month, I am paying tribute to African-American leaders from Florida who have made outstanding contributions to our community and our country. These accomplished men and women have not always received the recognition they have earned. Today I rise to honor Judy Mount. Judy, a longtime resident of Jackson County, made history in 1995 when she became the first African-American woman elected official in the county and served as president... Read more