[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING PADRON CIGARS ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2014

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Padron 
family on the 50th anniversary of Padron Cigars founding. Padron Cigars 
is a landmark institution in the Miami community, and is well-deserving 
of recognition.
   Mr. Jose Orlando Padron arrived in Miami in 1962 from Cuba. He was 
thirty-six years old and soon began work as a carpenter, after 
receiving a small hammer from a friend. With that hammer he worked day 
and night in order to establish himself, and not live off government 
assistance. He toiled for months with the goal of opening his own cigar 
factory, so that he could produce cigars just like the ones he used to 
smoke in Cuba. After managing to save $600 he was able to open Padron 
Cigars on September 8, 1964 in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami.
   Mr. Padron began by using tobacco from Connecticut. However, in 
order to meet demand he opened a factory in Nicaragua in 1970. 
Political turmoil at the time led to the burning of their factory in 
1978, but it was restored in 1979. Further issues arose in 1985, which 
forced him to shift production to Honduras. However, today his company 
continues to thrive, and is back to manufacturing its award-winning 
cigars in Nicaragua. Padron's cigars are continuously rated as one of 
the best cigars in the world, and have won yearly awards for their 
exceptional quality. Mr. Padron himself has been inducted into Cigar 
Aficionado's Hall of Fame.
   On a more personal level, I have known the Padron family for many 
years. Jose and my father were very good friends, and the family has 
since become very close friends of mine. They are truly one of the most 
exceptional, loyal, trustworthy, and caring friends I have and I 
cherish our families continued friendship. It is a privilege to know 
Jose, his children, and the rest of the Padron family. In addition, 
they have been devoted to their company, their employees, and the Miami 
community since its inception. Today, the Padron family's dedication 
has made Padron Cigars an irreplaceable company for South Florida, and 
their family has become a treasure for the community.
   Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate Padron Cigars, and the 
entire Padron family, as they celebrate this milestone. I am certain 
that we can all look forward to many more years of outstanding cigars, 
and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their outstanding 
achievement.

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