HONORING IRIS CHACON AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

HONORING IRIS CHACON AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 60 (Monday, March 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E290] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING IRIS CHACON AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH _____ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Monday, March 30, 2026 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. ____________________