HONORING MAYOR ESTEBAN "STEVE" BOVO, JR.

On 2025-04-09, Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-26) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING MAYOR ESTEBAN "STEVE" BOVO, JR." in the House.

HONORING MAYOR ESTEBAN "STEVE" BOVO, JR.

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E303-E304] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MAYOR ESTEBAN ``STEVE'' BOVO, JR. ______ HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding public servant, a venerated leader in South Florida, and a dear friend of mine, Mayor Esteban ``Steve'' Bovo, Jr. For years, Mayor Bovo has dedicated himself unreservedly to this shared mission of serving with honor the people of Hialeah. He consistently maintained the highest standards of leadership and a clear vision for Hialeah: to bring our community to new heights. As the son of Cuban exiles whose family was forced into exile in search of freedom and opportunity, he understands firsthand the importance of democracy and freedom. His father, the heroic Esteban Bovo Caras, served courageously as a pilot of the 2506 Brigade, [[Page E304]] the group of brave Cuban exiles who fought in the Bay of Pigs invasion. This created a legacy for the Bovo family that Mayor Bovo would carry throughout his life and career. Growing up in a household that ingrained in him the value of sacrifice and of civic duty, Mayor Bovo developed a strong sense of responsibility to serve others and to defend the values that his family and so many others have fought to preserve. From his time serving in the Florida House of Representatives, to his leadership at the county and municipal levels, Mayor Bovo has successfully championed policies that protect small businesses, improve public safety, and preserve the unique culture that defines South Florida. During his time as a Miami-Dade County Commissioner from 2011 to 2020, Mayor Bovo demonstrated his dedication to fiscal responsibility and government transparency. He has always been a champion for the hardworking families of our community, advocating for lower taxes and ensuring that local government remains accountable to the people it serves. Since taking office as Mayor of Hialeah in 2021, Mayor Bovo has proven in word and deed his commitment to our community. He has supported local law enforcement, stood with our first responders, and has never wavered in his mission of seeing our community thrive. His hands-on approach to leading the people of Hialeah has solidified his reputation as a trusted, effective, and admired leader in our community. Beyond his official duties, Mayor Bovo has always remained deeply and personally engaged with the community. Whether supporting local businesses, expanding youth development programs, working with nonprofit organizations, or attending neighborhood events, he has proven his dedication to serving and knowing the people he serves. Above all, Mayor Bovo is a loving husband to Viviana and a proud father to his five children; Oscar, Bianca, Esteban, Sofia, and Alessandro. I am honored to recognize today my dear friend Mayor Esteban Bovo for his decades of service and his devotion to our community. He is a true public servant, a man of the utmost integrity, and a cherished leader who has earned the respect and gratitude of the people he has served. ____________________