[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MIGUEL A. OTERO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2026

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear, 
long-time friend and Deputy Chief of Staff, Miguel A. Otero. His 
decades-long dedication to public service has created a long-lasting 
impact on our community and well beyond Florida's 26th District.
  Born in New York City, New York, in 1962 to parents Mr. Eliseo 
Marrero Otero and Dr. Dulce Amada Otero, Miguel Otero's family moved to 
Miami, Florida in the late 1960s. Miguel and his sister, Dolores, grew 
up being taught the value of hands-on, hard work, with Miguel often 
accompanying his father on project, performing manual labor like 
painting and building. In the summer, the family would go on road trHs 
across the country, imbuing Miguel with a deep sense of appreciation 
for the beauty of America and its history.
  Miguel later applied these principles to his studies, earning a 
bachelor's of business administration at Florida International 
University while simultaneously working at Luria's department store. It 
was there that he met his loving wife of 36 years, Sheila. In 1993, 
Miguel officially began his long civil service career working for Alex 
Villalobos in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida 
Senate, working diligently as his Chief Legislative Assistant as well 
as his Chief of Staff.
  Since his days in the Florida legislature, Miguel has consistently 
demonstrated his steadfast commitment to safeguarding and assisting the 
people of South Florida. In fact, Miguel is a proud 1996 graduate of 
the Miami-Dade County Citizens' Police Academy, a 2007 graduate of the 
U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigations Miami 
Division Citizens' Academy, and a 2019 graduate of the Doral Police 
Department's Citizens' Police Academy. Since joining my office in 2003, 
he has continually invested in and maintained foundational 
relationships in our community with consular officers, local and State-
elected officials, as well as law enforcement and first responders 
throughout the 26th District of Florida; work critical to my effort to 
represent and serve my constituents.
  Miguel's ethos has always been one of service. He continually looks 
for ways he can help others, whether that means assisting a constituent 
with an immigration issue, meeting with community leaders to understand 
their needs and concerns, reaching for something off a high shelf for a 
stranger at the grocery store, or caring for family members during 
times of illness.
  As one of my trusted advisors, I can always count on Miguel to 
remember every detail, and he has such a great memory. He is a 
principled person, and his character is a direct reflection of his 
beliefs. In his many years of service, he has never needed nor sought 
the spotlight, and his integrity lies in his desire to do the right 
thing for the sake of doing so.
  Mr. Speaker, Miguel's commitment to his community is demonstrative of 
the very best this country has to offer. A tireless civil servant who 
uses his skills to advocate for his community, a loving husband to 
Sheila, and devoted father to their daughter Victoria, and a man who is 
relentless in his desire to serve. I am honored to know him, and I ask 
my colleagues to join me in recognizing this outstanding individual.

                          ____________________