[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 146 (Tuesday, October 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1511-E1513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH HONOREES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2013


         RECOGNIZING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF VIVIAN RODRIGUEZ

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage 
Month, to recognize the inspiring career of Vivian Rodriguez. Vivian is 
the President of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida and the 
Constituent Field Representative for my office.
  She presently holds the position of Vice Chair for the Orange County 
Democratic Executive Committee and is on the Advisory Board of the 
Central Florida Community Initiative, an organization acting as a 
liaison between the Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial 
Circuit and the citizens of Orange and Osceola County. Vivian was the 
Political Director of Hispanic Outreach for Joe Saunders, Florida House 
Representative for District 49, contributing to the successful election 
of one of the first openly gay legislators in Tallahassee. She is also 
on the Board of Directors for Equality Florida, which advocates for 
equality and justice for the LGBT community.
  Vivian retired from the New York City Police Department in August 
2004, after completing twenty-one years of honorable service and 
achieving the highest recognition within the NYPD Detective Bureau, 
Promotion to First-Grade Detective. She was assigned to various 
specialized elite units which included the Intelligence Division, 
Executive Protection Unit, Dignitary Protection Unit, the Organized 
Crime Control Bureau, Task Force Mobilization Unit, Recruitment 
Section, and the LGBT Sensitivity Training Program for all incoming 
NYPD police cadets. Vivian was the President of the Gay Officers Action 
League and Secretary to the NYPD Hispanic Society. She has been 
acknowledged for her dedicated work in public service and has received 
various accolades within the Hispanic and LGBT community.
  Vivian's last assignment in the NYPD was with the Intelligence 
Liaison Unit. This unit was created after the 911 Attacks in New York 
City, to combat the global international threat of terrorism in the NYC 
area. Vivian participated in several counter-terrorism operations to 
detect and deter terrorist reconnaissance and pre-operational activity 
to protect the city from future terrorist attacks. Upon retirement, 
Vivian became a consultant with the Department of Homeland Security, 
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and several other law 
enforcement agencies instructing on intelligence and terrorism.
  Vivian's greatest accomplishment was meeting her life partner Valerie 
Finello, who continues to support all her endeavors. Her pride and joy 
is her loving son, Tyler, who has grown into a fine young man.
  I am happy to honor Vivian Rodriguez, during Hispanic Heritage Month, 
for her exemplary career in public service and commitment to equality 
and justice.


         Recognizing the Contributions of Euribiades Cerrud II

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize Euribiades Cerrud II for all he has contributed to the city 
of Orlando.
  Euribiades Cerrud II, better known as ``Euri,'' was born in San Juan, 
Puerto Rico, on January 26, 1972. Euri was born to an immigrant father 
from Panama and a Puerto Rican mother. His father was the first person 
in his

[[Page E1512]]

hometown to graduate from high school and grew up to become a world-
class oncologic surgeon. His mother was a pediatrician who dedicated 
herself to care for impoverished children.
  After graduating from high school, Euri moved to Orlando, FL, to 
complete his education. While taking a course at Valencia Community 
College, he met the love of his life, Karen N. Cerrud-Santos. After 
completing his associate's degree, he continued his education at the 
University of Central Florida. While attending UCF, out of his own 
monthly allowance, Euri paid for the civil engineering degree of a 
homeless man. He also shared his apartment, on different occasions, 
with individuals who could not afford a place to live.
  Having developed a great interest in pure mathematics, he attended 
Rollins College on a full scholarship where he completed a bachelor's 
degree in Mathematics with minors in humanities, physics, chemistry, 
and business administration. As part of his thesis, Euri developed an 
advanced equations system that was converted into an interactive 
computer program for the estimation of dieting, insulin, and food 
intake of diabetic patients. The program was eventually donated to the 
National Institutes of Health and modified to program insulin pumps.
  After completing his mathematics degree, Euri went to New England Law 
in Boston to study law. He successfully graduated at the top of his 
class, while having a newborn with his wife, holding a full-time 
position at the legal department of the Boston Stock Exchange, and 
volunteering part-time to teach law to gifted students at a charter 
program in Boston.
  Upon his return to Orlando, Euri has been very involved in the 
community. He served as a board member of Christian Help providing 
Christmas gifts and dinners to dozens of families in the community and 
also as board member of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce during 
three separate terms. Currently, he serves as Vice-Chair of the City of 
Orlando Civil Service Board, Advisory Board Member to the Hispanic 
Business Initiative Fund and the UCF Small Business Development Center, 
Ambassador to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, member of the editorial 
board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Vision Magazine and Chair of 
Pack 25 of Cub Scouts Troop 25 at Good Shepherd Catholic School. He is 
also a lecturer to the Orange County Bar Association's Business Law 
Section.
  I am happy to honor Euri Cerrud, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for 
his contributions to the Hispanic community and to Orlando.


           Recognizing the Career of Luis M. Martinez-Alicea

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Luis M. 
Martinez-Alicea. Mr. Martinez earned a Bachelor's Degree in 
Communications from the University of the Sacred Heart in Puerto Rico 
and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Ana G. Mendez 
University System, Orlando Campus. During his college years, he worked 
at the Puerto Rico Department of State as Press Officer.
  Mr. Martinez founded Starlight Productions, a nonprofit organization 
devoted to encouraging talented youth to develop their artistic 
abilities through training and live musical-theater productions.
  In 2000, Mr. Martinez relocated to Orlando to pursue a Master's 
degree in business. He worked at Walt Disney World and studied Arts 
Management at the University of Central Florida. Mr. Martinez was also 
the host of local events, performed as an actor in theater plays, and 
worked on TV commercials targeted to the Hispanic market. During his 
personal time off, he served as a volunteer in various community 
organizations.
  Mr. Martinez worked as Marketing Coordinator and Reporter at El Nuevo 
Dia newspaper. He later served for five years as Director of Marketing 
& Recruitment at the Ana G. Mendez University System, in which he 
implemented innovative recruitment and marketing strategies and 
developed strong community ties to increase corporate branding and 
diversity.
  In January 2012, Mr. Martinez was appointed by Orlando Mayor Buddy 
Dyer as Director of Multicultural Affairs, an executive position that 
promotes the engagement of minority communities, businesses and 
residents with the city of Orlando. In addition, he serves as the 
Mayor's Hispanic Spokesperson to local Hispanic and Brazilian media and 
assists Orlando's Economic Development Department.
  I am happy to honor Luis M. Martinez-Alicea, during Hispanic Heritage 
Month, for his many accomplishments and service to the Central Florida 
community.


              Recognizing the Contributions of John Cortes

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize John Cortes for his leadership in the Hispanic community and 
his many years of service to Central Florida. John has been a valuable 
member of his community and has worked to better the lives of his 
family, friends, and the community at large in Osceola County.
  John Cortes is a retired New York City Corrections Officer who now 
serves as the First Vice President for the Democratic Hispanic Caucus 
of Florida. John was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Puerto 
Rico where he graduated from high school. He attended John Jay College 
of Criminal Justice in New York for two years and graduated from the 
New York City Department of Corrections Training Academy for Disasters. 
John has lived in Osceola County for the past 14 years with his loving 
wife, Caridad Cortes.
  John is the Precinct Committeeman for the Osceola County Democratic 
Executive Committee and serves as the Vice President for the Osceola 
County Democratic Hispanic Caucus. He is also a current member and 
former president of the Kissimmee Neighborhood Crime Watch, as well as 
the former president of the Osceola County Democratic Hispanic Caucus. 
John served on the Social Service Funding Board for the United Way, and 
on the Board of Parks and Recreation for Osceola County. John is also a 
graduate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Community 
Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program, and a graduate of the Kissimmee 
Police Department Civilian Police Academy in Osceola County.
  I am happy to honor John Cortes, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for 
his years of service within Florida's Ninth District.


             Recognizing the Contributions of James Auffant

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize James Auffant for his leadership within the Central Florida 
community. James currently serves as the Secretary for the Florida 
Democratic Party.
  James was born in New York City and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 
He attended American University in San Juan and graduated with a BA in 
Political Science. After graduating from law school, James moved to 
Orlando in 1977 with his wife, Lillian. James became a member of the 
Florida Bar in 1978 and has continued to practice law in Orlando since 
that time.
  James worked for the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and for the 
Office of the Public Defender before going into private practice in 
1982. James is very active in the Central Florida community and is a 
former board member of Valencia Community College. James was on the 
City of Orlando's Nominating Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission for Orange County, the Minority Business Board of Orange 
County, the United Cerebral Palsy Board, and the Community Action Board 
of Orange County. He also acted as Chair for the Florida Bar's Juvenile 
Rules Committee and currently serves as a board member of the Apopka 
Family Learning Center. James serves as the State Committeeman for the 
Orange County Democratic Executive Committee and was the founding 
president of the Hispanic Community Center in Central Florida, 
Asociacion Borinquerna de la Florida Central.

  I am happy to honor James Auffant, during Hispanic Heritage Month, 
for his service to the Central Florida community and the state of 
Florida.


              Recognizing the Contributions of Wanda Ramos

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize Wanda Ramos for her service to the Central Florida community 
and for her advocacy on behalf of workers and their families.
  Wanda Ramos was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is a dedicated 
wife and proud mother of a 15 year old son. Mrs. Ramos moved to Orlando 
in 1999 where she became involved in fighting for workers' rights, 
empowering new voters, advocating for civil rights, and creating 
awareness about the importance of parental involvement in education.
  While working at a retailer, Mrs. Ramos organized workers to achieve 
better working conditions and better pay. When the unionizing efforts 
were discouraged by her employer, Mrs. Ramos still managed to 
accomplish the implementation of safety standards for a better working 
environment and better pay for workers.
  Mrs. Ramos has been an active member of Jobs With Justice where she 
eventually earned a place on their Board of Directors. She joined the 
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) and served in 
various capacities and campaigns to empower and elect Latinos in 
Central Florida.
  Through her involvement with the Family Leadership Institute, Mrs. 
Ramos has traveled to other states to raise awareness of parental 
involvement in education by speaking to parents, teachers, and 
administrators. Mrs. Ramos is also a member of the PTSA, SAC, the OCPS 
Hispanic Advisory Council.
  In 2008, she joined the presidential campaign of Barack Obama 
performing many duties as a volunteer, including giving a speech to 
introduce Hillary Clinton when she came to Central Florida to campaign 
for Mr. Obama.
  Mrs. Ramos has advocated for women and children through organizations 
such as Community Legal Services of Mid Florida (CLSMF) and Legal 
Advocacy Center of Central Florida (LACCF), where she served as a board 
member for 2 years.

[[Page E1513]]

  As a talk show host of a radio program at Latina 1580 AM Radio, Mrs. 
Ramos gave community organizations and elected officials the 
opportunity to provide information and create awareness about important 
issues affecting the community.
  I am happy to honor Wanda Ramos, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for 
her many accomplishments and her contributions to the Central Florida 
community.


             Recognizing the Contribution of Chad M. Brandt

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, to 
recognize Chad M. Brandt for his contributions to the Central Florida 
community. Mr. Brandt was born in Melbourne, Florida, in 1970. He is a 
first generation Cuban-American who has witnessed firsthand the 
challenges that immigrants face in the United States. He has dedicated 
his life and career to serve the cause of the immigrants in his 
community.
  Mr. Brandt received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from 
Florida International University and a law degree from the University 
of Florida Levin College of Law, both with honors. He is currently a 
member of the Florida Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers 
Association, and admitted before the Florida Supreme Court and the 
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  Mr. Brandt is the owner and founder of Brandt Immigration, a law firm 
specialized in immigration law. He devotes a substantial portion of his 
immigration practice to deportation defense and representing 
individuals, families, and businesses during interviews and appearances 
before immigration officials. Additionally, Mr. Brandt assists clients 
in obtaining temporary visas and permanent resident status.
  Mr. Brandt is also actively involved in his community. He is 
currently a board member of the statewide and the local chapter of the 
Hispanic Business Initiative Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated 
to assisting Hispanic entrepreneurs. He is also a member of the 
Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida and the Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce of Metro Orlando. He has lectured on immigration law at the 
University of Florida Levin College of Law and his articles have been 
featured in the Orlando Sentinel and Ahora Magazine.
  Mr. Brandt currently lives in Orlando, FL, with his wife, Jennifer, 
and his five children, Chad Jr., Emily, Ethan, Lily, and William.
  I am happy to honor Chad Brandt, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for 
his service to the immigrant community in Central Florida.

                          ____________________