[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING SUSIE V. CASTILLO IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2020

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I 
rise today to recognize Susie V. Castillo, whose inspiring life journey 
and determined work ethic has had a significant impact on all those 
around her.
   In 1961, her parents and two older brothers were forced into exile 
by the Castro dictatorship and had to begin a new life in South 
Florida. Very quickly, Susie valued the importance of giving back to 
her community, and as a young woman, began working as a secretary in 
the same elementary school where her mother taught. This decision 
started Susie's career of over twenty years dedicated to jobs in public 
service.
   Susie spent time working in Miami-Dade County's Superintendent's 
Office and then became a legislative aide for a member of the School 
Board, Mr. Frank Bolanos. This experience gave her a greater 
understanding of how local policies can help students excel in the 
classroom, parents prepare their children, and teachers perform their 
jobs. It proved beneficial when, in 2004, she served as Chief of Staff 
for the City of Doral's founding mayor, Mr. Juan Carlos Bermudez, for 
over eight years. In this role, she strived to ensure that the needs of 
students were met and developed city-wide education initiatives, 
including one centered on financial literacy. In 2012, she was elected 
to serve on Miami Dade County's School Board, a position she currently 
holds.
   Throughout her eventful life, Susie has proven that she is a 
strongminded and driven individual, even in the most adverse of times. 
This was evident when, her daughter, Andrea, who was an aspiring 
educator, tragically passed away at the young age of twenty-one. Susie 
used Andrea's passing as her compass and dedicated herself even more to 
her community. In her daughter's memory, she created the Andrea 
Castillo Foundation, which gives scholarships to students majoring in 
Education at public colleges and universities in Miami-Dade. Susie has 
ensured that her daughter's legacy will not be forgotten; she will live 
on in every student who receives this scholarship.
   Madam Speaker, it has truly been a privilege to work with Susie 
Castillo over the years and I greatly admire her commitment to Miami 
Dade County. Her dedication and unwavering spirit, even in the most 
trying circumstances, deserves our respect, and I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing this exceptional individual.

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