Local Pride (Continued)

Yesterday, I posted on Miami native David Paulison being chosen as interim FEMA chief.

Today, more news of local guys moving up in the world.

Rep. Marco Rubio (R) of the Florida House of Representatives, and Miami-born son of Cuban exiles, has been chosen to be the next House Speaker. Check out my post over at Babalu to read the Miami Herald's coverage.

In the few times I've seen him speak on TV, Rubio has impressed me with his articulate and poised demeanor, as well as his firm loyalty to Florida, Miami, and the Republican Party. Besides being obviously proud of a fellow Cuban-American becoming speaker of the house of the fourth most populous state in the union, I believe Rubio will provide solid Republican leadership to the state. He will also bring more attention and care to the needs of South Florida, which quite frankly have been largely ignored by previous speakers from other parts of the state who have often looked down upon us Miamians with disdain.

Back in 2002, Republican Representative Jerry Melvin of Fort Walton Beach took a potshot at Miami, especially Cubans and Haitians, following problems which plagued primary elections in Miami-Dade and Broward counties that year.

Rep. Rubio wrote a response to Melvin:

Jerry:
I have served with you for over three years. during that time I have heard you often make comments about South Florida in general and Miami in particular. Others often took offense, I just tried to laugh it off as an over statement of your true feelings. However, some of the things you say in your letter to the Governor cross the line.

I, like countless of Floridians, are frustruated with the way the elections have been handled down here. However, I do not think that the way an appointed elections bureaucrat organizes an election is a reflection of the people who live in that community. I do not know and quite frankly am afraid to ask what you mean by another "Cuban sympathizer".

As far as corruption, no doubt that corruption exists in Dade County government, just like it exists in ALL governments to some degree. In your neck of the woods, four out of five commissioners in Escambia County were removed from office in one shot. In Plant City Florida, scandal has tainted local elected officials this year. Miami-Dade County, has had its share of scandal but it certainly does not have a monopoly on it. By the way we also have our fair share of very good public officials, including countless members of our delegation now and in the past that have served alongside you with distinction.

As for the second to last paragraph of your letter, I really do not understand what you mean by the "Cuban and Haitian ways". I can only tell you about the people I am so very proud to represent. I represent men and women who at a very young age lost all of their hopes and dreams to a communist dictatorship.

Men who went back to fight to free their country and were betrayed at the Bay of Pigs. Men and women who were lawyers, doctors and engineers in their country, then came here to work as dishwashers, housekeepers and factory workers. They raised families here, paid taxes here and sent their sons off to die for this country in Vietnam, Panama and the Persian Gulf.

They became involved in the civic life of this country, voting, running for office and making a difference. They sacrificed and lost all of the dreams of their youth so that their children could have a better life. And thanks to God and the greatness of America their children have grown up to be the CEO of Coca-Cola, the President of the largest publicly traded hispanic owned company in the U.S., the Director of Housing and Urban Development, members of congress, four star generals, Grammy winning artists, All-Star athletes, renowned journalists and yes even members of the Florida House and Senate.

Let me tell you who else I represent. I represent men and women who served as many years in Castro's jails as I have lived. What was their crime? The dared to publicly question Castro's policies, or had the audacity to distribute literature. Men and women who went into these jails at 21 and got out at 51. I would like to think that put in the same position, I would have the bravery to pay the price they paid to defend freedom. But you never really know. Ask yourself Jerry, would you be brave enough to pay the price they paid?

This is the greatest country on earth because people like you can spew all the hatred they want without going to jail. But it is also the greatest country on earth because people like me can answer you back.

It is great because people like my parents can come here with nothing and raise four college educated professionals. The American dream is NOT a vacation home, a million dollars in the bank or the language you speak at home. The American dream is the universal hope of all parents that they can give their children a better life than their own and leave for them a better world than the one they found. I would summit that no community has lived that dream more than mine.

Bravo, Mr. Rubio, and ¡felicidades!