[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 172 (Thursday, December 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1800-E1801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING MUNILLA CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT ON THEIR 30TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2013

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Munilla 
Construction Management (MCM) on their 30th anniversary, and to commend 
its exemplary service to the Miami community.
  MCM is a construction company founded in Miami, FL in 1983, which 
specializes in Heavy Civil and Building Construction. However, their 
history dates back to 1941 where for nearly two decades Fernando 
Munilla, Sr. was one of Cuba's premier builders and a pioneer in 
construction methodology. His endeavors included an engineering firm, 
three of the largest concrete plants, and a construction management 
company. His work in Cuba included major projects such as the Jose 
Marti Monument in Havana, and the Cuyaguateje River Bridge. However in 
1960 Fidel Castro confiscated his firm and the Munilla family was 
separated.

[[Page E1801]]

  Four of his sons were brought to the United States through the Pedro 
Pan airlift operation, only days before the Bay of Pigs invasion. Two 
more brothers remained in Cuba with their mother, Maria. Fernando also 
remained in Cuba where he led covert operations along with the CIA. He 
later managed to escape where he eventually reunited his family, and 
settled in Miami. It was there that MCM was founded and thrived, 
earning a reputation for managing the construction of some of the most 
complex and challenging projects in South Florida.
  The commitment and hard work of MCM's personnel has resulted in it 
being named one of the fastest growing Hispanic Construction Firms in 
Florida. Not only that, they are the 7th largest Hispanic contractor in 
the United States as ranked by Hispanic Business Magazine (2012), as 
well as being ranked among the top 400 contractors in the United States 
by ENR magazine. They have also been awarded numerous accolades 
including the Florida Transportation Builders Association (FTBA) 
Design-Build Project of the Year for 2010, the Hispanic Company of the 
Year 2008 by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the 
Regional Contractor of the Year 2008 by the U.S. Department of 
Commerce.
  Having known the Munilla family for years, I can attest to their high 
degree of integrity, character and professionalism. They have also 
become very close friends of mine and are truly one of the most 
exceptional, loyal, trustworthy, and caring friends I have. It is a 
privilege to know all six of the Munilla brothers and their families. 
In addition, they have been devoted to their company, their employees, 
and the Miami community since its inception in 1983. Today, the Munilla 
family's dedication has made MCM an irreplaceable company for South 
Florida, and their family has become a treasure for the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate Munilla Construction 
Management, and the entire Munilla family, as they celebrate this 
milestone. I am certain that we can all look forward to many more years 
of outstanding service, and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing their outstanding achievement.

                          ____________________