[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 902 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 902

          Recognizing and honoring the life of Jose Fernandez.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 28, 2016

Mr. Curbelo of Florida (for himself, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Ms. Castor 
 of Florida, Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Murphy of Florida, Mr. 
Pierluisi, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Gibson, Mr. King of New 
York, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Sires, Mr. Grayson, Mr. Jeffries, Ms. Wasserman 
  Schultz, Mr. Clawson of Florida, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Bilirakis, and Mr. 
  Walz) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
          Recognizing and honoring the life of Jose Fernandez.

Whereas Jose Fernandez was born in Santa Clara, Cuba, on July 31, 1992;
Whereas Jose Fernandez attempted to escape Cuba on four separate occasions and 
        was imprisoned by the Cuban Government for doing so;
Whereas during one of his attempts to escape Cuba, Jose Fernandez saved the life 
        of his mother by diving into the water to rescue her after she fell into 
        the Yucatan channel;
Whereas Jose Fernandez came to the United States on April 5, 2008;
Whereas Jose Fernandez was a graduate of Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, 
        Florida;
Whereas Jose Fernandez was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the first round of 
        the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft as the 14th overall selection;
Whereas Jose Fernandez signed with the Marlins on August 15, 2011;
Whereas Jose Fernandez started his first Major League Baseball game on April 7, 
        2013;
Whereas Jose Fernandez won the 2013 National League Rookie of the Year award;
Whereas, in 2013, after more than 5 years and with the help of the Marlins, Jose 
        Fernandez was reunited with his grandmother, whom he called the love of 
        his life;
Whereas Jose Fernandez became a United States citizen on April 24, 2015;
Whereas Jose Fernandez was a 2-time All-Star, with a career record of 38 wins, 
        17 losses, 589 strikeouts, and a 2.58 earned run average;
Whereas Jose Fernandez gave back to his community through charities such as Live 
        Like Bella, the Marlins Foundation, and the Marlins Ayudan;
Whereas, on September 25, 2016, Jose Fernandez died in a tragic boating accident 
        with two of his friends, Emilio Macias and Eduardo Rivero;
Whereas Emilio Macias and Eduardo Rivero graduated from G. Holmes Braddock 
        Senior High School in Miami, Florida;
Whereas Jose Fernandez, through his hard work, devotion, and optimism, brought 
        great joy to his family, especially his mother and grandmother;
Whereas Jose Fernandez's pursuit of the American dream was a great source of 
        pride for the Cuban exile community of the United States; and
Whereas Jose Fernandez came to embody the American dream and was a great source 
        of pride for the Cuban exile community of the United States: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the life and accomplishments of Jose Fernandez;
            (2) offers heartfelt condolences to--
                    (A) the family, friends, loved ones, and teammates 
                of Jose Fernandez; and
                    (B) the family and friends of Emilio Macias and 
                Eduardo Rivero;
            (3) commends the significant contributions that Jose 
        Fernandez made, on and off the baseball field, to--
                    (A) the City of Tampa, Florida;
                    (B) the City of Miami, Florida; and
                    (C) the State of Florida; and
            (4) recognizes the memory of Jose Fernandez as an 
        inspiration for all who seek freedom and a better life in the 
        United States.
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