[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MS. SYLVIA G. IRIONDO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2012

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Women's History Month, 
I rise to honor one of South Florida's finest community leaders, Ms. 
Sylvia G. Iriondo.
  Sylvia was born in the city of Havana, Cuba and currently resides in 
Key Biscayne, Florida. She has spent over 40 years in the real estate 
business, serving as Co-Owner and President of two successful 
businesses: Tarafa & Iriondo Corporation/Realtors and Tarafa & Iriondo 
Corporation/Property Management Services. She also currently serves as 
a Broker-Associate with the prestigious real-estate firm of Esslinger-
Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. of Key Biscayne. Sylvia has served the real estate 
community as Key Biscayne Chairperson for the Miami Board of Realtors, 
Founder and first President of the Real Estate Professional Association 
of Key Biscayne, and Board Member of the Key Biscayne Chamber of 
Commerce.
  Sylvia has made a tremendous impact in Miami and throughout the state 
of Florida with her civic engagement. She served as a United Way of 
Dade County volunteer Board Member for eight years, the maximum 
allowable term, and also was appointed member of the Advisory Board and 
Chairperson of the Program Committee for the Salvation Army. 
Additionally, Sylvia was appointed by Florida Governor Bob Graham to 
serve on two major statewide initiatives concerning elderly residents: 
the Governor's Commission on Aging and the State of Florida Department 
of Elderly Affairs.
  Staying true to her cultural heritage, Sylvia has also devoted her 
life to advocacy for, and service to, a free and democratic Cuba. Her 
work began with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the first 
agency in Miami to provide assistance to thousands of Cuban refugees 
fleeing Castro's communist regime, and the State Department of Public 
Welfare--Cuban Refugee Emergency Center. Sylvia continues fighting 
relentlessly for Cuba's freedom today, as a co-founder of M.A.R. por 
Cuba (Mothers & Women Against Oppression), and the Assembly of the 
Cuban Resistance. This organization is committed to the defense of 
human rights and freedoms of Cuban people, the support of Cuban 
political prisoners and their families, and advocating for measures and 
sanctions against the Castro regime. Sylvia works daily to accelerate 
democratic change in Cuba; her solidarity to the Cuban people is truly 
inspiring and admirable.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Ms. Sylvia G. Iriondo for 
her continued service to the Miami community. She is a woman of 
unmatched compassion and dedication, serving as a mother, grandmother, 
great grandmother, businesswoman, leader, activist and philanthropist. 
Sylvia's impression upon the Miami community will last for decades to 
come, and she will surely inspire countless young women to follow in 
her footsteps. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this 
outstanding individual, and I wish her continued success and happiness 
in the future.

                          ____________________