[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 27, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6143-S6144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 582--RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF JOSE 
                               FERNANDEZ

  Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. Nelson) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 582

       Whereas Jose Fernandez was born in Santa Clara, Cuba, on 
     July 31, 1992;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez attempted to escape Cuba on 4 
     separate occasions and was imprisoned by the Cuban government 
     for doing so;
       Whereas during one of his attempts to escape Cuba, Jose 
     Fernandez saved the life of his mother by diving into the 
     water to rescue her after she fell into the Yucatan channel;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez came to the United States on April 
     5, 2008;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez was a graduate of Braulio Alonso 
     High School in Tampa, Florida;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 
     the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft as 
     the 14th overall selection;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez signed with the Marlins on August 
     15, 2011;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez started his first Major League 
     Baseball game on April 7, 2013;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez won the 2013 National League Rookie 
     of the Year award;
       Whereas, in 2013, after more than 5 years and with the help 
     of the Marlins, Jose

[[Page S6144]]

     Fernandez was reunited with his grandmother, whom he called 
     the love of his life;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez became a United States citizen on 
     April 24, 2015;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez was a 2-time All-Star, with a career 
     record of 38 wins, 17 losses, 589 strikeouts, and a 2.58 
     earned run average;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez gave back to his community through 
     charities such as Live Like Bella, the Marlins Foundation, 
     and the Marlins Ayudan;
       Whereas, on September 25, 2016, Jose Fernandez died in a 
     tragic boating accident with his 2 friends, Emilio Macias and 
     Eduardo Rivero;
       Whereas Emilio Macias and Eduardo Rivero graduated from G. 
     Holmes Braddock Senior High School in Miami, Florida;
       Whereas Jose Fernandez, through his hard work, devotion, 
     and optimism, brought great joy to his family, especially his 
     mother and grandmother; and
       Whereas Jose Fernandez's pursuit of the American dream was 
     a great source of pride for the Cuban exile community of the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the life and accomplishments of Jose Fernandez;
       (2) offers heartfelt condolences to--
       (A) the family, friends, loved ones, and teammates of Jose 
     Fernandez; and
       (B) the family and friends of Emilio Macias and Eduardo 
     Rivero;
       (3) commends the significant contributions that Jose 
     Fernandez made, on and off the field, to--
       (A) the City of Tampa, Florida;
       (B) the City of Miami, Florida; and
       (C) the State of Florida; and
       (4) recognizes the memory of Jose Fernandez as an 
     inspiration for all who seek freedom and a better life in the 
     United States.

                          ____________________