[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SYLVIA UNZUETA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, in just a few weeks we will be 
celebrating Women's History Month; and to kick that off, I would like 
to recognize an individual who is a shining example of the difference 
that one person can make.
  Sylvia Unzueta's life is a testament to how adversity can motivate 
one to not only better oneself but also to serve the greater 
sisterhood.
  Born in Cuba, Sylvia came to the United States in 1961 at the age of 
13 through the Peter Pan program. Not only did she leave behind all 
that she knew, but Sylvia did not see her parents again until she was 
26 years old. The experience of arriving in the United States alone at 
such a young age instilled in Sylvia a sense of duty to others in need.
  Acknowledging the sacrifice that her parents had made in order to 
send her to the United States to escape Castro's tyranny, Sylvia 
pursued a higher education here in the United States. She attained a 
master's degree in public administration from the Kennedy School at 
Harvard University.
  After completing her education, Sylvia poured herself into serving 
her community, especially helping young and vulnerable women and 
children be able to reach their full potential. During the Mariel 
boatlift, she helped those Cubans who, just like her so many years 
before, had come to escape tyranny and build a new life here in 
America.
  Sylvia has worked with the Federal Government and with the University 
of Miami on issues facing unaccompanied children who come to our great 
country. She served as an assistant city manager for the City of Miami 
and later as acting director for Miami-Dade Parks.
  One of Sylvia's greatest passions is her belief in citizenship 
diplomacy as a key to closer and even more meaningful relationships 
among people, nations, and cultures. To that end, Sylvia has chaired 
the Miami-Dade County's sister-city relationship with the city of Santa 
Cruz de Tenerife in Spain.
  Furthering her efforts to support women, she helped create the annual 
In the Company of Women awards ceremony during her tenure with Miami-
Dade County. This ceremony has helped to recognize the accomplishments 
of so many inspirational women from my South Florida community. Her 
service was profiled in a book entitled ``A Woman's Place is 
Everywhere,'' which was co-written by Olympic champion Jackie Joyner-
Kersee.
  One would think that, with so much accomplished, Sylvia would take 
some time off for herself, but she has soldiered on, offering her help 
where it is needed most. After Haiti was devastated by this most recent 
terrible earthquake, Sylvia has devoted her time to help. Her work with 
Haiti began years ago, actually, when she became involved in the 
welfare of displaced Haitian children who were living in the Dominican 
Republic.
  Sylvia's life has been and will continue to be a source of 
inspiration for South Florida, for our Nation, and, indeed, for women 
throughout the world. Our community is a better place because of Sylvia 
Unzueta. Felicidades, mi amiga. Congratulations, my friend.

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