congressional_record: CREC-2026-02-17-pt1-PgE141-2
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-2026-02-17-pt1-PgE141-2 | 2026-02-17 | 119 | 2 | HONORING MR. LADARA ROYAL AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | HONORING | E141 | E141 | [{"name": "Darren Soto", "role": "speaking"}] | 172 Cong. Rec. E141 | Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 32 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E141] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING MR. LADARA ROYAL AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Ladara Royal, a proven, zealous leader and an accomplished urban educator, facilitator, and clinician. He is committed to driving transformative, innovative change that advances educators and students of color through equitable public- school policies and practices. Royal's work centers on urban education, educator activism, and expanding opportunities for underserved and under-resourced students. His impact is evidenced by a consistent record of increasing the number of students from these communities who matriculate into the Nation's most competitive colleges and universities. A dedicated advocate for educational equity, Royal has demonstrated his leadership and community commitment by speaking before the Florida State Senate and House of Representatives on multiple occasions to champion improvements in public education. Royal also serves as secretary of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association--the official educators' union representing teachers across Orange County, Florida--and as chairman of the OCCTA Fund for Children and Public Education. In these roles, he works tirelessly to support and help advance the appointment of public officials who are committed to strengthening and protecting public education. His expertise and advocacy have been recognized across numerous media platforms, including local news and radio, Bloomberg, CNN, ABC World News, TIME, and the Guardian. He has served as a guest panelist for the Florida State NAACP Freedom to Read Town Hall and the Transformative Justice Coalition, and as a featured panelist at the 52nd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference for the session entitled ``The Courage to Teach.'' This event was presented in collaboration with the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Education Association. In 2025, Royal was also honored as a recipient of the FOX 35 Care Force recognition, celebrating his exceptional work as a high school, college, and career specialist, as well as the profound impact he continues to make on the lives of his students. ____________________ |