[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E559-E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING GUARIONE DIAZ ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CUBAN AMERICAN 
                            NATIONAL COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2012

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great south 
Floridian and a dear friend, Guarione Diaz, who after 34 years as 
President and CEO of the Cuban American National Council is retiring. 
He leaves behind an immense legacy of service. Fleeing Castro's 
tyrannical regime in 1961, Guarione left his native Cuba and immigrated 
to the United States. While working odd jobs, he graduated with a 
degree in sociology and philosophy from St. Francis College in New 
York. He later received his masters in social work from Columbia 
University. Guarione first worked for New York City's Department of 
Employment and the Community Development Agency, where he held numerous 
management positions. In 1972, Guarione was invited by Father Mario 
Vizcaino to join CNC. Initially named the Cuban National Planning 
Council, the Council was the first non-profit organization conducting 
research on the socio-economic needs of Cuban Americans in the United 
States. In less than a decade, the Council transformed itself to 
address the educational, housing, employment needs of all Hispanics.
  I have had the privilege to have worked with CNC on numerous 
occasions. From pre-school programs to internships to employment 
services and low-income housing, CNC has helped prevent so many in our 
community from slipping through the cracks. It has been a tremendous 
asset and support system for so many in our south Florida community. 
Not only has CNC assisted those who have fallen on hard times, they 
have also nurtured the next generation of Hispanic leaders.
  Even though his public persona has been as head of the Cuban American 
National Council, I consider Guarione a part of my extended family. 
Given that he has been friends with my dad for nearly 50 years, he has 
been a dear part of my life for as long as I can remember. His life has 
always been marked by a sense of responsibility towards those most 
vulnerable in our society. Guarione's entire professional career has 
been centered on this mission.

[[Page E560]]

  Whether it's his work with community organizations, such as the 
National Association for the Hispanic Elderly, National Council of La 
Raza and the Florida Commission on Education Reform and Accountability, 
Guarione has never forgotten his roots or commitment to provide help 
for those who most need it. In many ways, his experiences as a Cuban 
exile have informed so much of what he has done. As a fellow Cuban-
American, I know the indelible mark that is left by the struggles of 
leaving one's homeland and fighting against tyranny. The desire to give 
back to this great Nation that welcomed so many of us with open arms, 
as we fled Castro's totalitarian grip, is something Guarione has never 
forgotten. Even though Guarione will be an irreplaceable voice as he 
retires from CNC's leadership, his legacy will be the foundation for 
what I am sure will be CNC's continued success.

                          ____________________