Political Quotes

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

The Public Record

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is a former U.S. Representative who served Florida's 18th congressional district from 1989 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she was the first Hispanic woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Throughout her tenure, Ros-Lehtinen was known for her strong advocacy on issues related to Cuba, human rights, and foreign policy. She played a significant role in promoting legislation aimed at supporting democracy and human rights in Cuba, often speaking out against the Castro regime.

Quotes by year · 1994–20181,766 total · peak 2015 (255)
1994: 7 quotes1995: 10 quotes1996: 16 quotes1997: 32 quotes1998: 17 quotes1999: 41 quotes2000: 5 quotes2001: 59 quotes2002: 43 quotes2003: 20 quotes2008: 17 quotes2009: 6 quotes2010: 104 quotes2011: 144 quotes2012: 125 quotes2013: 185 quotes2014: 171 quotes2015: 255 quotes2016: 152 quotes2017: 198 quotes2018: 159 quotes

★ Featured Quote

December 13, 2018

My colleague and good friend Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Spanish was perfect, ``perfecto.'' As she has pointed out, I have long supported the cause of statehood for Puerto Rico, but the lack of action on our part has…

— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Most widely reported

by number of sources
  1. I would like to congratulate Jim Morris on celebrating his 25th and final season as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. Coach Morris has dedicated his life to college baseball. He has won over 1,500 Division 1 games, the fifth most in the history of the sport. During his tenure, the University of Miami, my alma mater, qualified for the College World Series more times than any other baseball program throughout the country, and he led the team to two national championships. Coach Morris has also been named National Coach of the Year three times. Coach Morris' outstanding leadership for the past 25 years has left a positive and lasting impact on the University of Miami. I am confident that this historic legacy will continue to inspire and will continue to shape Hurricane baseball in the years to come. Once again, ``congratulations,'' ``felicidades,'' to Coach Morris on a long and distinguished career. ``Go Canes.'' ____________________4 sources2018govinfo.gov
  2. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 311, introduced by my good friend from California, Ambassador Watson. For the past 129 years, the American Red Cross has been providing material and emotional support to victims of disasters and to our military families. Many of us know the story of the founding of the national organization by Clara Barton in the aftermath of her service during the Civil War. But, my colleagues may be less familiar with the fact that 93 years ago this week, Miami philanthropist Harriet Parsons James convened a group of local residents to begin the southeastern Florida chapter of the American Red Cross. A month later, Mrs. Florence Spottswood of Key West gathered a group of local leaders in the Keys to start what soon became the Key West chapter of the American Red Cross. Madam Speaker, the Spottswood family name is still associated with philanthropy and altruistic good works in the Florida Keys. After several years of humanitarian service, those organizations merged in May of 1987, and today the South Florida Region American Red Cross continues to be an indispensable neighbor to the people of my congressional district.3 sources2010govinfo.gov
  3. I would like to congratulate Amigos for Kids, an organization in my congressional district that works to mitigate the harmful effects of child abuse and neglect. It has now embarked on its 22nd year of service to families in my congressional district in south Florida. As part of its mission, this noble organization, Amigos for Kids, administers an afterschool program at Jose Marti Park in Little Havana that provides kids with academic and extracurricular enrichment activities. Funded by the Children's Trust, Amigos for Kids also offers workshops to fortify the family bond. On June 20, Amigos for Kids will host its annual Miami Celebrity Domino Night. It is an event at which guests will enjoy live entertainment and culinary delights, which will benefit these kids. I thank Amigos for Kids for its commitment to assisting the less fortunate, and I encourage our community to get involved for the betterment of children and families. A united community can make a positive and lasting difference for all of us. {time} 1045 raising alzheimer's awareness in june3 sources2015govinfo.gov
  4. I would like to recognize two outstanding constituents from my district in South Florida: Claudia McLean and her 9-year-old son Joshua Williams who founded Joshua's Heart Foundation 4 years ago. Next month, Joshua and Claudia will be honored by the Sodexo Foundation at its annual dinner right here in Washington, DC. The Joshua Heart Foundation's mission is to work toward ending global hunger as part of an overall community effort. Once a month, Joshua's organization distributes food, in addition to feeding the homeless every week. They deliver food to the sick, the elderly and the helpless. Currently, food is provided for over 100 homeless people and about 450 families on a monthly basis. Claudia and Joshua, I would like to commend you for your service to our community and indeed our Nation. Thank you for your dedication and your commitment to improving the lives of South Floridians in need.2 sources2010govinfo.gov
  5. I would like to congratulate Williamson Automotive on its significant milestone of 50 years of a highly successful and award-winning dealership. Williamson Automotive does more than just create jobs and spur the economy of our community, as important as those are, but it has also engaged in various philanthropic ventures to best serve south Florida. From their work contributing to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami to supporting a number of high school sports teams and sponsoring events for Relay For Life, Williamson Automotive never ceases to go above and beyond for south Florida. Mr. Speaker, Williamson Automotive embodies what many homegrown businesses should, a passion for what you do and the ability to serve your community broadly, and they do just that. I know that our community joins me in thanking Ed, Carol, and Trae Williamson and their staff for all that they have done and will continue to do to make our tropical paradise an even better place. Once again, congratulations to Williamson Automotive on celebrating 50 years, and I wish you all the best and many more years of service to south Florida. ____________________2 sources2017govinfo.gov
  6. I would like to congratulate Log Cabin Republicans as it celebrates 40 years of advocating and advancing equality and justice for LGBT Americans. Formed by a small group of LGBT conservatives in California, Log Cabin Republicans emerged to defeat what is known as the Briggs Initiative, a measure prohibiting gay teachers from teaching in public schools. This measure was rejected, thanks to the tireless work of this organization and President Reagan with his forceful opposition to the discriminatory policy. Since then, Log Cabin Republicans have expanded their presence and created over 50 chapters across our great Nation, including in my hometown of Miami. Together we have won many great victories and have taken a historic stride toward equality with the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and the legalization of marriage equality. Mr. Speaker, as a proud ally of the LGBT community, I commend Log Cabin Republicans for advancing our principles of limited government, individual freedoms, and personal responsibility to create a more inclusive party that ensures fairness and equality for all Americans. Happy 40th to LCR. ____________________2 sources2017govinfo.gov
Dec 12, 2018

I include in the Record an exchange of letters. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, December 12, 2018. Hon. Edward R. Royce, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Royce: I…

govinfo.gov
Dec 12, 2018

I have an amendment to the text at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the following: That the House of Representatives-- (1)…

govinfo.gov
Dec 12, 2018

On December 1, we commemorated World AIDS Day, celebrating our many accomplishments in the fight against HIV/AIDS around the globe. One important program for which we are also celebrating 15 years of success this year is PEPFAR. Mr…

govinfo.gov
Dec 12, 2018

I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Strike the preamble and insert the following: Whereas in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994…

govinfo.gov
Dec 11, 2018

I am so pleased to rise today in honor of Judge Caryn Canner Schwartz upon her retirement from the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida where she has proudly served since 1993. Throughout her long and distinguished career as a judge…

govinfo.gov
Dec 11, 2018

I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their leadership in bringing this bipartisan measure to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I also want to especially thank the author of this important resolution, my Florida colleague, Brian…

govinfo.gov
Dec 11, 2018

I am proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

govinfo.gov
Dec 11, 2018

I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway), the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and the author of this measure.

govinfo.gov
Dec 10, 2018

Though I still have a few days left before the end of my term, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the constituents for allowing me to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives for so many years. Whether it has been…

govinfo.gov
Nov 29, 2018

Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have been so proud to work and promote LGBT equality here at home and around the globe. When I was first elected as a Member of this distinguished body in 1989, our country was in a very different place…

govinfo.gov
Nov 29, 2018

I am so proud to rise today to recognize Ira Leesfield and congratulate him on receiving the 2018 Lawyers for Children America's Janet Reno Outstanding Community Partner Award. As a University of Florida Law School graduate, Ira proved…

govinfo.gov
Nov 27, 2018

I am so pleased to rise in support of Chris Smith's bill, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018. I again thank Chairman Royce and our esteemed ranking member, Eliot Engel, for their efforts in bringing this…

govinfo.gov
Nov 27, 2018

I thank the chairman, Chairman Royce, and I commend both the Speaker and Ranking Member Engel. I am going to miss serving with you, Eliot, as Chairman Royce and I say bye-bye in just a few weeks. But I thank them for always bringing to the…

govinfo.gov
Nov 15, 2018

I am pleased to congratulate the Dade County Police Benevolent Association on the celebration of its 55th anniversary. Since its founding in 1963, the Dade County PBA has worked to protect the rights of Miami-Dade's finest, working…

govinfo.gov
Nov 15, 2018

Last month, I was privileged to stand in the city of David, the site of ancient Jerusalem. Just a few feet from the Western Wall, the city of David is the place where Jerusalem began. It is a place I have regularly visited over the past…

govinfo.gov
Nov 14, 2018

I am honored to commemorate the 60th anniversary of one of our top educational institutions in south Florida: Christopher Columbus High School. Since its inception in 1958, Christopher Columbus has graduated bright and talented young men…

govinfo.gov
Nov 13, 2018

I am so proud to be an original cosponsor, along with Chairman Royce and our wonderful ranking member, Mr. Engel, of the PEPFAR Extension Act, which has been led by our colleague Chris Smith of New Jersey and my friend Ms. Barbara Lee of…

govinfo.gov
Nov 13, 2018

Damon Nelson, the staff director of our House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, passed away a few days ago, and this has left us shocked and saddened. It was my honor to have been selected by the Speaker to serve on this coveted…

govinfo.gov
Nov 13, 2018

I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their leadership, for their bipartisan spirit, for everything that they are doing to bring our Congress together. We need more of them around here. I thank them for bringing Mr. McCaul's…

govinfo.gov
Sep 27, 2018

On October 2, the Dade County Farm Bureau is proud to honor Paul and Swanee DiMare, an agriculture powerhouse couple hailing from our south Florida community. For more than 90 years, the DiMare family has graced south Florida by providing…

govinfo.gov
Sep 26, 2018

The United States must continue to lead the global response to HIV/AIDS.

congress.gov
Sep 26, 2018

This important resolution condemns the Maduro regime for its role in the deterioration of Venezuela's democratic institutions.

congress.gov
Sep 26, 2018

This important bill would extend this longstanding bipartisan lifesaving program for another 5 years.

congress.gov
Sep 26, 2018

The United States and our partners have a responsibility to do everything that we can to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the people of Venezuela.

congress.gov

Politicians like Ileana Ros-Lehtinen