A sold-out crowd attended the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) Golden Eagle Award Luncheon on May 11 honoring U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Ros-Lehtinen represents the 27th Congressional District that includes South Miami, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Key Biscayne, Kendall, Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay, Westchester, Little Havana, Miami and Miami Beach. SFLHCC president/CEO Liliam Lopez, chair Ralph Gonzalez Jacobo, staff and board members knocked it out of the park with this beautiful tribute so well deserved attracting such notables as Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos López-Cantera, Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez, and past recipients of the award such as Juan del Busto, the former regional executive of the Miami Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
Dozens of elected city, county and state officials were on hand to recognize the Congress member’s impressive career. The first Hispanic woman elected to Congress, Ileana filled the vacant seat left by the late Claude Pepper and certainly made it her own. She tackled head on a multitude of issues and, as a former teacher who earned a PhD in Education at the University of Miami, Ros-Lehtinen helped sponsor the Florida Prepaid College Program, of which many of our children and grandchildren have benefited or will in the future. Married to a Vietnam veteran and step-mother to Marine aviators, giving veterans access to a college education also was a priority.
There are not enough words to praise this woman who served us so well and will, no doubt, continue to do so using her education degree and her vast experience to share with others.
Yet another individual who impacted the lives of so many was the previously mentioned Claude Pepper whose legacy was celebrated on May 17. Hundreds gathered at Jungle Island for the 2018 United HomeCare Claude Pepper Awards Dinner.
Among the list of honorees were for Lifetime Achievement winner Elizabeth Dudek, director of Health Care Affairs, Greenberg Traurig PA; Corporate Service-Health Care honoree Penny S. Schaeffer, PhD, market president for South Florida, Florida Blue; Corporate Service awardee, Bacardi USA, Eduardo Cutillas; Education/Advocacy winner Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg, president, FIU; Public Services recipient, Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr.; Philanthropic Service winner Jose Milton Foundation, Cecil, Frank, Joseph and Ana Milton; Thelma Gibson Community Service awardee, Juan and Maria Del Busto, The Del Busto Family Foundation, and Community Builder honoree, Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon.
Barbara Gray, United HomeCare’ vhair of the coard, quoted Claude Pepper, a man who work tirelessly on behalf of the elderly population: “They deserve much, and they need much” something that United HomeCare strives to do daily; thus, a fitting way for this nonprofit organization to honor Pepper’s legacy.
Earl Maulding, director of Theatre for Young Audiences at Actors’ Playhouse, is being honored by The Children’s Trust with their Champion of Children for his work with young children during the past two decades. He is not only the producer and director of Actors’ Playhouse children’s theater, a conservatory-style theater education program for children and youth, but also is being recognized as the director of the repertory company he founded, “The Musical Miracles” for youth ages 8-17.
Many of Earl’s Miracles go on to be accepted at New World School of the Arts and other magnet programs, as well as excel in professional theater. Some 20 years ago, Earl created the National Children’s Theater Festival which gives playwrights an opportunity to showcase new works for children and offers a weekend of theatrical activities for families, including hands-on activities such as costuming, makeup application, painting, role playing, etc. Maulding also runs the Actors’ Playhouse summer theater camp for kids of all ages.
Honorees in the category of Program of the Year include Concerned African Women, Fit Kids of America, and Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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