[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3278]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MAYOR MANUEL DIAZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2007

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Mayor Manuel Diaz 
of Miami for receiving the ``Outstanding American by Choice'' award on 
January 24, 2007 at the White House.
  The ``Outstanding American by Choice'' award recognizes the 
achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens who, through civic 
participation, professional achievement and responsible citizenship, 
have demonstrated their commitment to this country and to common civic 
values. The award is given to citizens who have made significant 
contributions to their community and to this country.
  Mayor Diaz was born on November 5, 1954 in Havana, Cuba and 
immigrated to the United States with his mother, Elisa, in 1961. He 
grew up in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood and attended Belen Jesuit 
Prep School, Miami-Dade College, Florida International University and 
the University of Miami's School of Law.
  Mayor Diaz was elected as mayor of the city of Miami in 2001 and re-
elected to a second term in 2005. He has led the effort to reform Miami 
city government, improve public schools, and bring increased investment 
and business opportunities to Miami. Vanity Fair magazine has honored 
Mayor Diaz, calling him one of North America's leading environmentally 
conscious mayors. In recognition of his accomplishments, Mayor Diaz was 
honored by his fellow mayors and elected chair of the Advisory Board of 
the United States Conference of Mayors in 2006.
  Mayor Diaz's achievements should make all Americans proud that, in 
this Nation of immigrants, success in life is attainable through hard 
work and the desire to achieve great dreams.

                          ____________________