HONORING DANEE WILLIAMS

HONORING DANEE WILLIAMS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E263] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING DANEE WILLIAMS ______ HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Women's History Month to honor and recognize Danee Williams, a remarkable entrepreneur and community leader from Ave Maria, Florida, whose dedication to service and business excellence has left an indelible mark on Collier County. As the owner of two beloved local businesses--Oil Well Craft Beer and The Secret Ingredient--Danee embodies the spirit of American entrepreneurship. Her commitment to quality and hospitality was recently recognized by Gulfshore Life, with her businesses securing four ``Best of the Gulfshore'' awards, including being named the best Brewery in Collier County and taking top honors in the Women's Apparel category. Beyond her commercial success, Danee is a pillar of community engagement. Ten years ago, she founded the Ave Maria Trunk or Treat, an annual tradition that has grown from a local brewery event into a massive town-wide celebration for hundreds of families. During the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she demonstrated her adaptability and commitment to her neighbors by expanding her business operations to ensure residents continued to have access to essential services and dining. Danee's true legacy, however, is her tireless philanthropy and her ``community-first'' mentality. She consistently utilizes her business platforms to host fundraisers and support a vast array of noble causes, ranging from healthcare and support through the Cancer Alliance Network and the Alzheimer's Support Network to education and youth initiatives with Ave Maria University, The Guadalupe Center, and Our Lady of the Rosary Orphanage. Her advocacy extends to critical community needs, including supporting Path2Freedom in their work with child trafficking survivors, aiding local veterans' organizations, and participating in the Christmas Angel Tree program to help children in need. Danee, alongside her husband Matt and their children Cole, Peyton, and Reese, has proven that a small business with a big heart can shape the soul of a town. Her efforts have helped transform Ave Maria's Town Center into a vibrant gathering place where neighbors become friends. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Danee Williams today for her leadership, generosity, and unwavering dedication to the people of Florida's 26th District. ____________________