[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 60 (Thursday, April 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E471-E472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GUS MACHADO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2017

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Gus Machado and 
celebrate his career.
   Gus moved to the United States from Cuba with his family in 1949, 
and has become a symbol of the American dream for many. Through hard 
work and determination, Gus has built several successful car 
dealerships. He has managed to stay in business through a recession 
that had a significant impact on car sales, and worked diligently to 
avoid downsizing his workforce and keep others employed. Throughout his 
career in car sales, Gus has acted as an honorable man with the best 
interests of the community at heart.
   For the past seven years, Gus Machado's businesses have received the 
Blue Oval Certification status from Ford Motor Company. Additionally, 
in 2013, one dealership received Ford Motor Company's highest honor, 
the President's Award.
   Gus has proved himself to be dedicated to improving his community. 
In 2008, he founded the Gus Machado Family Foundation, which provides 
children with backpacks full of school supplies. The Foundation also 
works to keep children healthy by providing them with immunizations.
   Gus is deeply involved with the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC, an 
organization dedicated to promoting freedom and democratic ideals in 
the communist country of Cuba. Although he

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has lived in Florida for most of his life, Gus remembers his native 
Cuba and has not lost sight of the importance of allowing the Cuban 
people the same basic rights and freedoms we take for granted in the 
United States that are stifled under the Castro regime.
   For his successful businesses, involvement in the community, and 
unfailingly optimistic outlook, Gus Machado is an excellent inspiration 
for Miami and Florida. It has been a privilege to know him and his 
family, including the love of his life Lilliam, who has become a dear 
friend of mine. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on 
his work to date and wishing him continued success.

                          ____________________