[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LATE FAUSTO MIRANDA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the loss of an exceptional member of my community, the 
beloved Fausto Miranda. On Tuesday, May 9th, Mr. Miranda, the renowned 
Cuban sports reporter, passed away at the age of 91.
  He was born on July 4, 1914 in the Cuban eastern city of Puerto 
Padre. He was forced to work odd jobs to survive. He worked as a street 
salesman, notary clerk, prison guard, band manager, janitor and a 
variety of other jobs. It was Mr. Miranda's resilience that enabled him 
to overcome the many obstacles he faced throughout this life.
  After arriving in Havana in 1933, he began his life long contribution 
to journalism. Mr. Miranda worked with several Cuban newspapers: 
Informacion, EI Crisol, Alerta and Diario de la Marina and he was a 
fixture on the radio. Soon after the arrival of the communist 
dictatorship, Mr. Miranda sought political asylum in New York. For 
fifteen years, he worked as a doorman. However, Mr. Miranda did not 
abandon his commitment to journalism. He simultaneously started working 
for the well known newspaper La Prensa.
  In 1975, Mr. Miranda moved to Miami. A year later, he reached a high 
point in his career by founding the sports pages of EI Nuevo Herald. 
Subsequently, he managed the sports department of the Miami Herald/EI 
Nuevo Herald for close to twenty years.
  After his retirement in 1995, Mr. Miranda was known for his famous 
column ``You are old, truly old, if.'' In his last year, although he 
was very weak due to multiple respiratory and cardiac complications, 
the legendary writer submitted his weekly column every Monday. The 
Monday before he passed away was no exception. His passion and 
dedication for journalism, sports and Cuba, were unwavering even 
throughout his deteriorating health.
  Mr. Miranda's life is the personification of the American Dream and a 
testament to the love Cubans share for Cuba. Mr. Miranda's dedication 
and ability allowed him to leave his mark on two countries. He 
witnessed Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. He 
captured the athletic eloquence of Mohammed Ali in his prose. An entire 
community opened their newspapers to read his account of the sporting 
events of the day. And later we relied on his column to recall the 
glory of the Cuban Republic. He became an integral part of the Cuban 
and the larger South Florida community. Miami-Dade County celebrated 
his 50th anniversary in journalism by declaring a ``Fausto Miranda 
Day,'' on December 12, 1992. Mr. Miranda's remarkable life and columns 
will inspire generations to come.
  I will forever remember the great Fausto Miranda!

                          ____________________