Floor SpeechCeremonial2025-03-26

HONORING ZOE PRIETO

Crime & Justice

Context

On 2025-03-26, Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-26) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING ZOE PRIETO" in the House. The speech addressed crime and justice.

Full Text

HONORING ZOE PRIETO

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E253-E254] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ZOE PRIETO ______ HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable woman whose lifelong dedication to service has profoundly impacted the lives of countless children and families in South Florida. Zoe Prieto, a devoted leader, mother, grandmother, and cancer survivor, has spent decades ensuring that children in need receive the resources, support, and opportunities they otherwise might not. For the past 13 years, Zoe has served as President of the Children in Action Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1996 to support underserved children in Miami-Dade County and beyond. From the moment she took on this role, she has remained relentless in her pursuit of guaranteeing that the Foundation live out its mission of ``Making a Difference One Child at a Time''. Under Zoe's leadership, the Foundation has provided school supplies, holiday meals, Christmas gifts, and financial assistance for medical treatments to children and families who need them most. Operating entirely through volunteer efforts, the organization has grown to serve 28 elementary schools across communities in South Florida, impacting the lives of countless families across Florida's 26th congressional district. Through every season of the year, Zoe and the Children in Action Foundation are present to serve our community. At the start of the school year, the Foundation personally delivers backpacks [[Page E254]] filled with school supplies to 350 students. At Thanksgiving, 200 families receive baskets filled with turkeys and meal essentials. During the holiday season, over 400 children gather for a Christmas toy giveaway, where they are treated to a day of games and a special holiday meal. Every child receives a wrapped toy, and 100 bicycles are raffled to spread even more joy. No matter the time of year, and in instances where many families feel the strain the most, Zoe and the Foundation are there to stand in the breach. Looking to the future, Zoe and her team are working to expand their impact even further by launching summer and after-school programs that will provide children, including those with special needs, with opportunities to grow and develop strong values of good citizenship and volunteerism. Their undying drive to serve and to meet the members of our community where they are only serves to build on their growing legacy across South Florida. Beyond her leadership, Zoe's personal resilience serves as an inspiration to all who know her. A brave cancer survivor of 37 years, she has long embodied the spirit of hope and of perseverance and has pushed through adversity to share that with those around her. Through her efforts, she has given children joy when starting a new school year and given parents the relief of knowing their child can receive the medical care they need. Zoe Prieto is a shining example in our community of a servant leader. Her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families exemplifies the true spirit of Women's History Month. It is with great admiration and appreciation that I recognize and celebrate Zoe Prieto's contributions toward ``Making a Difference One Child at a Time''. ____________________

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HONORING ZOE PRIETO Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E253-E254] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ZOE PRIETO ______ HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of florida in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable woman whose lifelong dedication to service has profoundly impacted the lives of countless children and families in South Florida. Zoe Prieto, a devoted leader, mother, grandmother, and cancer survivor, has spent decades ensuring that children in need receive the resources, support, and opportunities they otherwise might not. For the past 13 years, Zoe has served as President of the Children in Action Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1996 to support underserved children in Miami-Dade County and beyond. From the moment she took on this role, she has remained relentless in her pursuit of guaranteeing that the Foundation live out its mission of ``Making a Difference One Child at a Time''. Under Zoe's leadership, the Foundation has provided school supplies, holiday meals, Christmas gifts, and financial assistance for medical treatments to children and families who need them most. Operating entirely through volunteer efforts, the organization has grown to serve 28 elementary schools across communities in South Florida, impacting the lives of countless families across Florida's 26th congressional district. Through every season of the year, Zoe and the Children in Action Foundation are present to serve our community. At the start of the school year, the Foundation personally delivers backpacks [[Page E254]] filled with school supplies to 350 students. At Thanksgiving, 200 families receive baskets filled with turkeys and meal essentials. During the holiday season, over 400 children gather for a Christmas toy giveaway, where they are treated to a day of games and a special holiday meal. Every child receives a wrapped toy, and 100 bicycles are raffled to spread even more joy. No matter the time of year, and in instances where many families feel the strain the most, Zoe and the Foundation are there to stand in the breach. Looking to the future, Zoe and her team are working to expand their impact even further by launching summer and after-school programs that will provide children, including those with special needs, with opportunities to grow and develop strong values of good citizenship and volunteerism. Their undying drive to serve and to meet the members of our community where they are only serves to build on their growing legacy across South Florida. Beyond her leadership, Zoe's personal resilience serves as an inspiration to all who know her. A brave cancer survivor of 37 years, she has long embodied the spirit of hope and of perseverance and has pushed through adversity to share that with those around her. Through her efforts, she has given children joy when starting a new school year and given parents the relief of knowing their child can receive the medical care they need. Zoe Prieto is a shining example in our community of a servant leader. Her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families exemplifies the true spirit of Women's History Month. It is with great admiration and appreciation that I recognize and celebrate Zoe Prieto's contributions toward ``Making a Difference One Child at a Time''. ____________________