[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ AND ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2009

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor the work and lives of two remarkable colleagues from the South 
Florida Delegation, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and 
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. With unprecedented courage, a love 
of family and a strong commitment to service, these women have made 
history in our community, our state and our nation. Today I take the 
time to honor their work and thank them.
  I had the pleasure of serving with Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the 
Florida State Legislature, where she made history as the youngest woman 
ever elected to the Florida House at the age of 26, and later the 
Florida Senate. I was proud when she joined me in Congress in 2005 as 
the first Jewish Congresswoman ever elected from Florida. Debbie works 
tirelessly for the people of South Florida and has dedicated her life 
to public service. In just four short years, she has made herself known 
on Capitol Hill as a leader on the House Committee on Appropriations 
and the Committee on the Judiciary and as a Chief Deputy Whip for her 
party.
  Debbie takes special interest in ensuring that Americans and people 
around the world are treated fairly and with respect. She is a leader 
in the Jewish Community, an advocate of human rights and has introduced 
and passed key legislation protecting Florida's working families, women 
and children. Despite many legislative victories throughout the year, 
Debbie's greatest accomplishment is her family. Aside from prioritizing 
the needs of her constituents, she also makes life at home a priority 
as a loving wife to Steve Schultz, her husband of 17 years, and an 
exceptional mother of twins Jake and Rebecca and youngest daughter 
Shelby.
  We recently learned that Debbie successfully battled breast cancer 
after finding a lump during a routine self-examination last year. In an 
effort to create awareness of breast cancer among young woman she has 
shared her story and introduced the EARLY Act, legislation that 
develops and implements a national education campaign to increase 
awareness of the threats posed by breast cancer in young women of all 
ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Debbie's story is an inspiration to 
women across the nation and she represents what can be accomplished 
through hard work, dedication and perseverance. She is undoubtedly one 
of the most influential Members of Congress and I know that a bright 
future lies ahead.
  Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has been a public servant for more than two 
decades and this year marks her 20th in the United States Congress. In 
1989, she was the first Hispanic woman and first Cuban-American elected 
to the House of Representatives. She began her career as an educator in 
Miami, FL and was elected to the Florida State Legislature in 1982, 
becoming the first Hispanic woman in the Florida House. She later 
served in the Florida Senate.
  Ileana's list of accomplishments runs long, but she is best known for 
ensuring that the needs of the diverse community she represents are 
met. She takes a particular interest in education, safety for Florida's 
families and protecting our environment. In her role as the Ranking 
Member on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs she has worked to 
advance democracy around the world, promote human rights and improve 
our nation's relationships abroad. She continues to be a strong voice 
for the oppressed people of Cuba and an advocate for peace in the 
Middle East. In 2008 Ileana's work was recognized by the State of 
Florida when she was inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame, a 
great honor in our state.
  Alongside a successful 25 year career in public service, has been 
Ileana's dedication to her family. She is a loving wife to husband 
Dexter Lehtinen, mother of Amanda Michelle and Patricia Marie and 
stepmother of Katharine and Douglas. By her side each day are her 
parents, Enrique and Amanda Ros, who left Castro's communist regime in 
search of freedom, when Ileana was just seven years old, so that their 
daughter could take advantage of the opportunities this country has to 
offer.
  Although Debbie and Ileana come from different backgrounds and 
different political parties, they share a common goal and that is to 
improve the lives of South Floridians. They seize all opportunities to 
work together with the rest of the South Florida Delegation for the 
best interest of the diverse community which we represent. They truly 
are an inspiration to woman of all ages.
  It is an honor and a privilege to call these outstanding women my 
friends and serve with them in Congress. As we celebrate Women's 
History Month, I ask you to join me in congratulating our colleagues 
Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on their 
invaluable contributions to our nation and their remarkable 
achievements.

                          ____________________