HONORING YINETTE LIZARDO AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

On 2026-10-09, Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-9) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING YINETTE LIZARDO AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH" in the House.

HONORING YINETTE LIZARDO AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 159 (Friday, October 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 159 (Friday, October 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1063] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING YINETTE LIZARDO AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Friday, October 9, 2026 Mr. SOTO. Yinette Lizardo is a U.S. Army combat Veteran and the County Veteran Service Officer for Osceola County, Florida, where she has dedicated her post-military career to advocating for Veterans, their families, and survivors. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Lizardo served more than 10 years on active duty in the United States Army. Her military service included deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as a humanitarian mission in Africa supporting the response to the Ebola outbreak. Her experiences in uniform shaped a lifelong commitment to service and a deep understanding of the challenges Veterans and their families face both during and after military service. Today, Lizardo continues that mission by serving the Veteran community throughout Osceola County and Florida's Ninth Congressional District. As County Veteran Service Officer, she assists Veterans, dependents, and survivors in navigating the complex U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system and accessing the benefits they have earned through military service. Under her leadership, Osceola County Veterans Services has served more than 2,000 Veterans and dependents this year and generated millions of dollars in return on investment through Veterans' benefits and services brought back into the community. Beyond claims assistance, Lizardo has worked to strengthen Veteran outreach, expand access to services, build community partnerships, and connect Veterans with employment, housing, healthcare, and other critical resources. For Lizardo, serving Veterans is more than a profession; it is a continuation of her military service. Her passion after leaving the Army has remained firmly rooted in her Veteran community and in ensuring that those who served our nation, along with their families and survivors, are seen, supported, and never forgotten. ____________________