[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 58 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MADELINE PUMARIEGA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2023

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I 
rise today to recognize Madeline Pumariega whose lifelong dedication 
toward serving our students and her community has had a resounding 
impact on South Florida.
  A cherished friend and brilliant leader, Madeline Pumariega may have 
inherited her passion for academics and service excellence from her 
mother, a Miami-Dade County Public School teacher. Pumariega's 
enthusiasm only grew while attending Miami Dade College as a student. 
She is devoted to ensuring that students have a path toward upward 
economic mobility through educational opportunities. This commitment 
led her to serve as President and CEO of Take Stock in Children, a 
statewide nonprofit focused on breaking the cycle of poverty by helping 
students complete their high school education and advance into 
postsecondary education and careers.
  Her drive to serve and excel was exemplified in her appointment as 
the first female Hispanic chancellor of the Florida College System 
(FCS). In that role, she improved several Florida College System 
schools, helping them to rise in the rankings of U.S. News & World 
Report and other national measures. During her tenure, Florida was 
named No. I in higher education by U.S. News. In 2019, she became the 
executive vice president and provost of Tallahassee Community College, 
where she dutifully and successfully led the school during the 
unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  A true trailblazer in academia, Madeline Pumariega's hard work and 
dedication has culminated in her current role as the President of 
Miami-Dade College. Under her leadership, Miami-Dade College has 
flourished, as Madeline has prioritized working with business partners 
to identify the skills needed by key industries, while tailoring higher 
education programs to match those needs. This intentional formation of 
strategic alliances and job pathways between companies and MDC students 
actively accelerates each graduate's ability to enter the workforce 
immediately. Her relentless drive to develop leaders and build thriving 
communities has contributed to numerous successes for students in South 
Florida and my district.
  Mr. Speaker, as a commendable leader in academia, Madeline has proven 
her unwavering commitment through the success of each student she 
encounters. It is a privilege to honor this outstanding individual for 
her service, dedication, and invaluable contributions to the South 
Florida community today. We all benefit from the successes of the 
educators in our communities, and I thank Madeline for her work in 
advancing the futures of thousands of Floridian students.

                          ____________________