[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 114 (Friday, June 30, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING CASA DE VENEZUELA ORLANDO'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 30, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, as Casa de Venezuela Orlando celebrates their 
20th anniversary this July, we are recognizing their impact across the 
Central Florida community and beyond.
  In July 2003, a group of Venezuelan citizens led by William J. Diaz 
gathered in Orlando, Florida to create an organization tasked with 
promoting cultural, social, and civic values within Central Florida 
communities. They decided to be called Casa de Venezuela Orlando with 
Mr. Diaz elected as the first president and founder.
  Over the next 2 decades, political turmoil in Venezuela continued and 
forced thousands of migrants to flee and move to the Central Florida 
region. Casa de Venezuela Orlando was organized and ready to provide 
support to incoming families and provide shipments with humanitarian 
supplies to those still in Venezuela. Throughout this time, Casa de 
Venezuela Orlando gained strength and support across Central Florida 
and obtained recognition from their community due to their attention to 
the humanitarian needs of Venezuelans, along with people of other 
nationalities who moved to the area.
  For years, Casa de Venezuela Orlando has organized annual 
immigration-focused events, health and vaccine campaigns, back-to-
school events, Christmas bazaars, medical and clothing supply drives, 
events with local food banks, and more. They also help the community 
with scholarship opportunities and academic credential validation.
  In April 2015, Casa de Venezuela Orlando launched an initiative to 
request that Venezuela be designated for Temporary Protected Status, 
which would provide deportation protections and allow Venezuelans in 
the United States to live and work. Casa de Venezuela advocated for 
this program directly with elected officials. At that time, then 
Florida State Senator Darren Soto signed a letter to the Department of 
Homeland Security requesting this protection for Venezuelans. In 2019, 
Congressman Darren Soto and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart passed a 
bipartisan piece of legislation out of the U.S. House of 
Representatives that would designate Venezuela for TPS.
  Mr. William J. Diaz, through Casa de Venezuela Orlando, founded the 
network of Casas de Venezuela and other NGOs within the Venezuelan 
diaspora in the U.S. in 2018. Today, the network totals 77 
organizations that provide orientation, guidance, and support to the 
Venezuelan community.
  Congratulations to Casa de Venezuela Orlando for their 20th 
anniversary and their continued impact within the Venezuelan community.

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