Kathy Castor

Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act of 2026

in committee

Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026

in committee

To amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to allow for the consideration of private flood insurance for the purposes of applying continuous coverage requirements, and for other purposes.

in committee

“Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Tampa Bay Downs, in celebration of its 100th year of Thoroughbred Racing in the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Downs was built in Oldsmar, Florida, by Ransom Eli Olds, who created the Oldsmobile and developed the area of Oldsmar. Ownership passed to the West Coast Jockey Club, which opened the track and held its first race on February 18, 1926. In the early days, Tampa Bay Downs faced economic hardship due to the Great Depression and World War II. During the war, the U.S. Army took over the track, which served as a jungle-warfare training facility for troops preparing to fight overseas. By the end of World War II, a renewed interest in Thoroughbred racing developed and Tampa Bay Downs underwent new ownership by Tampa attorneys Milo Vega and Frank Hobbs. In the early 1950s, legendary sportswriters who frequented the area to cover baseball's spring training spent their days off at the racetrack. Renowned writer Grantland Rice began referring to the Downs as the Santa Anita of the South, a comparison taken with great pride in racing circles. As the Tampa Bay region continued to grow, the racetrack produced two remarkable young female jockeys who trained and won their first races at the Downs. Diane Crump, from Oldsmar, was the first professional female jockey in America. She was the first woman to ride in a pari- mutuel race in 1969 and, a year later, the first female jockey to race in the Kentucky Derby. Julie Krone, who lived with her grandparents in New Port Richey while an apprentice jockey, went on to have over 3,700 career wins and be the first female jockey inducted into the prestigious National Museum of Horse Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York. Under the present ownership of Stella Ferguson Thayer and her brother, Howell Ferguson, who took the reins in 1986, Tampa Bay Downs has become a steadfast institution in the Tampa Bay region with an ever-growing stakes schedule and a commitment to giving back to the community. Stewards uphold integrity and fair competition to provide transparency in decisions made during the racing events. Few embody that commitment more than Charlie Miranda, one of Tampa City Council's longest-serving members and a steward for more than four decades. Charlie Miranda has helped champion a family-friendly environment for guests of all ages for generations to come. The jockeys, trainers, and dedicated employees are the pillars that support the continued movement for thoroughbred racing to thrive in the Tampa Bay area. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Tampa Bay Downs for a century of contributions to the racing industry and for being a destination for neighbors and visitors alike. Tampa Bay Downs has grown from a humble racetrack into a century of tradition built on speed, champions and cherished memories. ____________________”

2026-04-30 · Economy

“Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and contributions of Senator Darryl Rouson, who is a fierce leader and public servant. He has continued to save the Tampa Bay area and State of Florida with such devotion and invaluable contributions. Having weathered personal adversity, Senator Rouson's experiences have shaped his long-standing advocacy and legislative priorities for addiction treatment and mental health services. Today, on behalf of our neighbors, I congratulate and thank Senator Rouson for his continued impact on the Tampa Bay community. Darryl Rouson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 20, 1955, and moved to St. Petersburg at the age of three. He lived in Cromwell Heights and attended Bishop Barry High School, later known as St. Petersburg Catholic High School. He returned to New Orleans to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University in 1977. In 1980, Rouson earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Spessard Holland Law Center. After finishing his education, Rouson returned to St. Petersburg and began working at Gulfcoast Legal Services before opening his own practice. He went on to become an active leader in the community as chairman of the St. Petersburg Area Black Chamber of Commerce and served on St. Petersburg's Charter Review Commission. Rouson has been recognized as a pioneer for civil rights, health care access, and addiction recovery and social services. He has continuously supported a substance abuse ministry at Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Rouson continued his advocacy efforts as the first African American prosecutor in Pinellas County and later served as President of the St. Petersburg Branch of the NAACP for five years. Beginning his legislative service, Senator Rouson was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2008 and served until his election to the Florida Senate in 2016. In the Senate, Rouson currently serves as vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of the chamber's most influential panels responsible for shaping the state budget. He also serves on several committees, including Agriculture, Appropriations on Health and Human Services, Children, Families and Elder Affairs, Ethics and Elections, Finance and Tax and Rules, along with the Joint Legislative Budget Commission. He was a commissioner on both the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission in 2007 as Gubernatorial appointee and the Constitutional Revision Commission in 2017 as an appointee of the Speaker of the Florida House. He will leave the Florida legislature as not only one of the most effective and powerful voices in the chamber, but as a beacon of knowledge and passion. Senator Rouson's extreme personal hardships and experiences have molded his continued advocacy and legislative priorities for addiction treatment and mental health services. In 2025, the University of South Florida named its substance abuse research institute in Rouson's honor. His courage and total commitment to improving the lives of all of us have helped not only the Tampa community, but the State of Florida as well. Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo commented that, ``there are moments in this chamber that are a reminder that our work is not merely the crafting of our policy but the expression of our shared humanity. Today we bid farewell to a man who embodies that truth more fully than perhaps anyone who has served among us.'' Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the neighbors of our Tampa Bay community, I am proud to honor my friend Senator Rouson for his time serving the Tampa Bay area, and thank his wife, Angela, for her support. Senator Rouson's knowledge, passion and leadership made him a trusted public servant who knew how to get things done for his state and his neighbors. ____________________”

2026-04-21 · Healthcare

“Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Michael Tomor and his contributions to the arts, especially as executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Tomor demonstrated unwavering dedication to the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of art and culture. His visionary leadership has advanced the mission of the institutions he has served and inspired colleagues, emerging museum professionals, and communities nationwide. From curating landmark exhibitions to fostering educational initiatives and advocating for accessibility in the arts, Tomor's impact is profound and enduring. Tomor completed his undergraduate and doctoral studies at Pennsylvania State University. After finishing his education, he returned to his hometown of El Paso, where he began his early professional work. Tomor's leadership eventually led him to Tampa where he has served as the executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art for over a decade. At TMA, Tomor led a period of significant growth and transformation. TMA acquired more than 1,500 works of art, enriching its collection and broadening the cultural resources available to the public. He also ushered the museum through a major expansion, adding approximately 32,000 square feet to the museum. Tomor is a passionate advocate for the role of art in children's education. His commitment to showcasing how museums foster learning opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom is a hallmark of his legacy. Tomor led initiatives to significantly expand the presence of artists in underserved school districts, tripling the number of artists working directly with students. By integrating artistic activities into preschool programs, he helped develop methods that used creative expression to strengthen literacy for young students in the community. Tomor welcomed high school art students to display their work at TMA during the annual congressional art competition-- providing budding artists with a point of pride for their work. Building on these successes, Tomor later expanded them to serve military veterans coping with post-traumatic stress. Beyond his professional accomplishments in the arts, Tomor is a steadfast advocate for civic and cultural engagement including the importance of representation and authenticity, stating, ``art is a reflection of so many things that make us human and encourages us to look beyond the surface.'' Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and honoring Michael Tomor for his exceptional contributions to the Tampa Bay area and the greater arts community, and wishing him the very best in his well-earned retirement. He is a shining example of how the tremendous impact of hard work and service to the community can encourage others to reach their highest potential. ____________________”

2026-03-27 · Education