[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MRS. LOURDES LOZANO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2012

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Lourdes 
Lozano, a remarkable leader in the South Florida community.
  Mrs. Lozano was born in Las Villas, Cuba and attended the Escuela 
Normal de Maestros in preparation for her teaching profession. After 
graduation she received a post graduate degree from the University of 
Martha Abreu, in Santa Clara. Once arriving in Miami, she received her 
Bachelor's degree in Psychology from St. Thomas University.
  Mrs. Lozano began her professional career working at ARSCO 
International, a company in the paint roller industry. While working 
for this company she became the first woman in the industry to hold the 
position of Plant Manager. She later went on to become Vice President 
and General Manager of the company. Mrs. Lozano has also worked as a 
realtor for the past 28 years and as a supervisor for twelve social 
workers and one specialist for 22 years. In the past she has been 
appointed to serve the community as a Commissioner for Hialeah's 
Housing Authority, and is currently serving as a Council Member for the 
City of Hialeah.
  Mrs. Lozano's work does not stop there, as she has been a volunteer 
for Liga Contra el Cancer and for the Muscular Dystrophy Association 
for over 30 years. Along with her husband Richard Irizarry, Mrs. Lozano 
has made tremendous contributions to our community and both are highly 
admired for their hard work. In 2004 she was recognized as one of the 
eight public service employees in Miami-Dade who perform their 
professional duties with excellence. She has also received the ``Most 
Humanitarian Award'' from the Department of Children and Families. She 
has also been recognized by the Mayor of the City of Hialeah, for her 
leadership on a number of projects which help alleviate some of the 
burdens of needy families in the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to my dear friend Mrs. 
Lourdes Lozano for her continued service to the South Florida 
community. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this 
remarkable individual and wish her continued success.

                          ____________________