Darren Soto

STAR Act

in committee

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3310) to designate Venezuela under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit nationals of Venezuela to be eligible for temporary protected status under such section, and for other purposes.

in committee

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2600 Michigan Avenue in Kissimmee, Florida, as the "Robert Guevara Post Office Building".

in committee

“Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Hunter's Creek Community Association. The Association has faithfully served the residents of Hunter's Creek for four decades, establishing itself as a cornerstone of community governance and neighborhood excellence since its founding in 1986. The Association has successfully managed and maintained common areas, amenities, and infrastructure of one of Central Florida's premier large-scale residential communities, enhancing property values and the quality of life for many thousands of residents. Through dedicated volunteer leadership and professional management, the Hunter's Creek Community Association has fostered a strong sense of community pride and belonging, with neighborly cooperation from its diverse membership. The Hunter's Creek Community Association has also demonstrated fiscal responsibility and sound governance practices throughout its 40-year history, ensuring long-term community sustainability and financial health, while maintaining reasonable assessments. Additionally, the Association has served as a model for other homeowner associations through its innovative programs, community events, and its commitment to transparent communication with its members. The Association has successfully balanced the preservation of the community's initial vision and character with thoughtful adaptation to accommodate changing demographics, technologies, and resident needs, and has significantly contributed to the broader area through its partnerships with local government, participation in regional planning efforts, and its role as a responsible steward of the area's natural resources. The commitment of countless board members, committee volunteers, staff members, and engaged residents over a 40-year span has established a legacy of community service that continues to benefit both current and future generations of Hunter's Creek. ____________________”

2026-05-13 · Government Reform

“Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Iris Chacon as a Distinguished Leader in Central Florida for Women's History Month. Iris Chacon is an actress, dancer, singer, and producer. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and now resides in Kissimmee, Florida. Her TV show, ``EI Show De Iris Chacon,'' conquered a worldwide audience. She has won two gold records and two platinum records in her recording career, and was the first Latin artist to perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. She also performed at Madison Square Garden and the Resorts International Hotel in Atlantic City and in Las Vegas. Iris starred in three films and four soap operas, and was invited to ``The David Letterman Show,'' ``The Merv Griffin Show,'' ``The Late Show,'' ``The Morning Show,'' ``Geraldo Rivera,'' and was featured as one of the best TV entertainers in the world in ``The Joan Rivers Show.'' She was also featured in publications such as ``Daily News,'' ``The Face,'' ``Interview,'' ``GQ,'' ``Cosmopolitan,'' ``The Village Voice,'' ``The New York Times,'' and ``People.'' In addition, Iris was the first Latina to appear on the front page of the prestigious ``Wall Street Journal.'' With her own publishing company, she just launched the second edition of her bestselling book, ``Yo Soy Iris Chacon,'' an inspirational autobiography that has received various awards and recognitions, and has been included as a study textbook in the University of Puerto Rico General Library. In 2025, Iris was recognized as one of the top five most influential women in the City of Kissimmee. For the past 10 years, she has been the spokesperson for Advantage Medical Group, a conglomerate of clinics with doctors from Puerto Rico, based in Orlando and Kissimmee, and owned by the Puerto Rican philanthropist, Arcilio Alvarado, M.D. As the wellness director for all four clinics, she helps elderly locals, giving them joy and hope during challenging times. She visits many of the area's nursing homes, bringing them her music, health, and personal development presentations to her Golden Age audiences. ____________________”

2026-03-30 · Civil Rights

“Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Nicole Fenty as a Distinguished Leader in Central Florida for Women's History Month. Nicole Fenty is an events and venues supervisor for the City of Kissimmee with more than a decade of experience supporting community programs, public events, and facility operations in Central Florida. She first joined the City on June 5, 2012, working in several community facilities, including the Kissimmee Civic Center, Oak Street Community Center, and Camp Discovery, where she served as a counselor, counselor-in-training mentor, and assistant director. Her early work focused on youth programming, recreation services, and supporting events that bring residents together. Fenty returned to the City of Kissimmee in August 2022 and was later promoted to full-time service in March 2023. Since her return, she has progressed from facility technician (logistics) to events and venues specialist and currently serves as events and venues supervisor. In this role, she oversees the planning and operational coordination of a wide range of events held throughout Kissimmee and Osceola County, including weddings, community celebrations, festivals, award ceremonies, sporting events, and public gatherings of all sizes. Her work also supports emergency preparedness and public safety efforts. Fenty holds multiple Emergency Management certifications, including Incident Support and Shelter Management training, as well as Crowd Manager and Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) certifications. In March 2025, she was recognized as the City of Kissimmee's Employee of the Month for her dedication and service. Through her work in facility management, logistics, and event coordination, Fenty has supported community engagement and public events serving residents across Florida's 9th Congressional District. ____________________”

2026-03-30 · Government Reform