Floor SpeechNeutral2026-09-24

HONORING MIGUEL A. OTERO

ImmigrationTaxesEnvironmentCrime & Justice

Context

On 2026-09-24, Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-26) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING MIGUEL A. OTERO" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING MIGUEL A. OTERO

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E974] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MIGUEL A. OTERO ______ HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of florida in the house of representatives Thursday, September 24, 2026 Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear, long-time friend and Deputy Chief of Staff, Miguel A. Otero. His decades-long dedication to public service has created a long-lasting impact on our community and well beyond Florida's 26th District. Born in New York City, New York, in 1962 to parents Mr. Eliseo Marrero Otero and Dr. Dulce Amada Otero, Miguel Otero's family moved to Miami, Florida in the late 1960s. Miguel and his sister, Dolores, grew up being taught the value of hands-on, hard work, with Miguel often accompanying his father on project, performing manual labor like painting and building. In the summer, the family would go on road trHs across the country, imbuing Miguel with a deep sense of appreciation for the beauty of America and its history. Miguel later applied these principles to his studies, earning a bachelor's of business administration at Florida International University while simultaneously working at Luria's department store. It was there that he met his loving wife of 36 years, Sheila. In 1993, Miguel officially began his long civil service career working for Alex Villalobos in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, working diligently as his Chief Legislative Assistant as well as his Chief of Staff. Since his days in the Florida legislature, Miguel has consistently demonstrated his steadfast commitment to safeguarding and assisting the people of South Florida. In fact, Miguel is a proud 1996 graduate of the Miami-Dade County Citizens' Police Academy, a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigations Miami Division Citizens' Academy, and a 2019 graduate of the Doral Police Department's Citizens' Police Academy. Since joining my office in 2003, he has continually invested in and maintained foundational relationships in our community with consular officers, local and State- elected officials, as well as law enforcement and first responders throughout the 26th District of Florida; work critical to my effort to represent and serve my constituents. Miguel's ethos has always been one of service. He continually looks for ways he can help others, whether that means assisting a constituent with an immigration issue, meeting with community leaders to understand their needs and concerns, reaching for something off a high shelf for a stranger at the grocery store, or caring for family members during times of illness. As one of my trusted advisors, I can always count on Miguel to remember every detail, and he has such a great memory. He is a principled person, and his character is a direct reflection of his beliefs. In his many years of service, he has never needed nor sought the spotlight, and his integrity lies in his desire to do the right thing for the sake of doing so. Mr. Speaker, Miguel's commitment to his community is demonstrative of the very best this country has to offer. A tireless civil servant who uses his skills to advocate for his community, a loving husband to Sheila, and devoted father to their daughter Victoria, and a man who is relentless in his desire to serve. I am honored to know him, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this outstanding individual. ____________________

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HONORING MIGUEL A. OTERO Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E974] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MIGUEL A. OTERO ______ HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of florida in the house of representatives Thursday, September 24, 2026 Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear, long-time friend and Deputy Chief of Staff, Miguel A. Otero. His decades-long dedication to public service has created a long-lasting impact on our community and well beyond Florida's 26th District. Born in New York City, New York, in 1962 to parents Mr. Eliseo Marrero Otero and Dr. Dulce Amada Otero, Miguel Otero's family moved to Miami, Florida in the late 1960s. Miguel and his sister, Dolores, grew up being taught the value of hands-on, hard work, with Miguel often accompanying his father on project, performing manual labor like painting and building. In the summer, the family would go on road trHs across the country, imbuing Miguel with a deep sense of appreciation for the beauty of America and its history. Miguel later applied these principles to his studies, earning a bachelor's of business administration at Florida International University while simultaneously working at Luria's department store. It was there that he met his loving wife of 36 years, Sheila. In 1993, Miguel officially began his long civil service career working for Alex Villalobos in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, working diligently as his Chief Legislative Assistant as well as his Chief of Staff. Since his days in the Florida legislature, Miguel has consistently demonstrated his steadfast commitment to safeguarding and assisting the people of South Florida. In fact, Miguel is a proud 1996 graduate of the Miami-Dade County Citizens' Police Academy, a 2007 graduate of the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigations Miami Division Citizens' Academy, and a 2019 graduate of the Doral Police Department's Citizens' Police Academy. Since joining my office in 2003, he has continually invested in and maintained foundational relationships in our community with consular officers, local and State- elected officials, as well as law enforcement and first responders throughout the 26th District of Florida; work critical to my effort to represent and serve my constituents. Miguel's ethos has always been one of service. He continually looks for ways he can help others, whether that means assisting a constituent with an immigration issue, meeting with community leaders to understand their needs and concerns, reaching for something off a high shelf for a stranger at the grocery store, or caring for family members during times of illness. As one of my trusted advisors, I can always count on Miguel to remember every detail, and he has such a great memory. He is a principled person, and his character is a direct reflection of his beliefs. In his many years of service, he has never needed nor sought the spotlight, and his integrity lies in his desire to do the right thing for the sake of doing so. Mr. Speaker, Miguel's commitment to his community is demonstrative of the very best this country has to offer. A tireless civil servant who uses his skills to advocate for his community, a loving husband to Sheila, and devoted father to their daughter Victoria, and a man who is relentless in his desire to serve. I am honored to know him, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this outstanding individual. ____________________