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“HONORING CASA DE VENEZUELA ORLANDO'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security was published in the in the Extensions of Remarks section section on page E625 on June 30.
The Department was built out of more than 20 agencies in 2002. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lower taxes and boosting federal efficiency, argued the Department is burdened with "unneeded bureaucracy" which could be handled by other departments or standalone operations.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING CASA DE VENEZUELA ORLANDO'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
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HON. DARREN SOTO
of florida
in the house of representatives
Friday, June 30, 2023
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, as Casa de Venezuela Orlando celebrates their 20th anniversary this July, we are recognizing their impact across the Central Florida community and beyond.
In July 2003, a group of Venezuelan citizens led by William J. Diaz gathered in Orlando, Florida to create an organization tasked with promoting cultural, social, and civic values within Central Florida communities. They decided to be called Casa de Venezuela Orlando with Mr. Diaz elected as the first president and founder.
Over the next 2 decades, political turmoil in Venezuela continued and forced thousands of migrants to flee and move to the Central Florida region. Casa de Venezuela Orlando was organized and ready to provide support to incoming families and provide shipments with humanitarian supplies to those still in Venezuela. Throughout this time, Casa de Venezuela Orlando gained strength and support across Central Florida and obtained recognition from their community due to their attention to the humanitarian needs of Venezuelans, along with people of other nationalities who moved to the area.
For years, Casa de Venezuela Orlando has organized annual immigration-focused events, health and vaccine campaigns, back-to-
school events, Christmas bazaars, medical and clothing supply drives, events with local food banks, and more. They also help the community with scholarship opportunities and academic credential validation.
In April 2015, Casa de Venezuela Orlando launched an initiative to request that Venezuela be designated for Temporary Protected Status, which would provide deportation protections and allow Venezuelans in the United States to live and work. Casa de Venezuela advocated for this program directly with elected officials. At that time, then Florida State Senator Darren Soto signed a letter to the Department of Homeland Security requesting this protection for Venezuelans. In 2019, Congressman Darren Soto and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart passed a bipartisan piece of legislation out of the U.S. House of Representatives that would designate Venezuela for TPS.
Mr. William J. Diaz, through Casa de Venezuela Orlando, founded the network of Casas de Venezuela and other NGOs within the Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S. in 2018. Today, the network totals 77 organizations that provide orientation, guidance, and support to the Venezuelan community.
Congratulations to Casa de Venezuela Orlando for their 20th anniversary and their continued impact within the Venezuelan community.
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