[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 151 (Friday, September 27, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MANUEL MILANES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2024

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Manuel 
Milanes Pizonero, a cherished friend of mine, constituent of Ave Maria, 
Florida, and a bold anti-communist voice within the Cuban American 
community in South Florida.
  On August 22, 2024, Manuel faced a life-altering situation few ever 
encounter in their lifetimes and made a heroic split-second decision 
even fewer choose to. As Manuel sat at home in his living room, a 
sudden loud sound like a crash broke the silence outside his home. 
Knowing his son had just stepped outside to take out the trash, Manuel 
immediately rushed out, fearing the very worst. Stepping onto the 
scene, he saw a man approaching a car in what appeared like a move to 
assist the family inside. As Manuel moved closer in an attempt to 
provide help, the man outside the car quickly asked him for a tool to 
break the car window, leading Manuel to go back inside to retrieve the 
appropriate device.
  Upon returning, however, the situation rapidly shifted when one of 
the passengers stuck inside the car cracked the window open begging 
Manuel not to break the window. The passenger quickly revealed that the 
man outside the car was armed and threatening to kill the mother and 
her four children inside. Manuel, demonstrating an incredible measure 
of bravery did not hesitate to act but began pleading with the 
assailant, even while unarmed, to stop, attempting to deescalate the 
situation and fervently insisting that he not act on his impulses and 
harm the family.
  At this, the man turned his weapon on Manuel, placing him directly in 
the line of fire, and instructed him to return to his home and stay out 
of it--yet Manuel refused to back down. Running back to his home, he 
grabbed his own gun, and quickly returned outside to help. However, in 
that short amount of time, the assailant managed to shatter the car 
window and force his way inside the car with the family. In seeing 
this, Manuel immediately stepped in to subdue him, once more placing 
himself in harm's way in the hopes of disarming the shooter. Refusing 
to drop his firearm, the man turned the gun on Manuel once more, firing 
at him and hitting him in the left shoulder and chest, shattering his 
clavicle and causing severe blood loss. Despite being shot at two more 
times, Manuel held his ground, ready to protect the mother and her 
children as the shooter fled the scene. It took one instant and Manuel 
single-handedly changed the course of events in the lives of a mother 
and her four children, choosing selflessly to place their wellbeing 
before his own. Manuel narrowly escaped the ordeal with his life, with 
his heart stopping a total of 3 times mid-emergency surgery and 
requiring over 30 liters of transfusions. Though he faces a long road 
to recovery and subsequent surgeries, Manuel maintains that he would do 
it all over again if necessary. Since his successful discharge from the 
hospital, the community of Ave Maria has coalesced in a show of 
solidarity and pride around him, offering their prayers and support.
  Manuel Milanes is the preeminent example of the very kind-hearted, 
God-fearing and freedom-loving immigrant our country has long thrived 
as a result of. Originally from Cuba, Manuel made the United States his 
home in 2017 after living in the Dominican Republic, where he met his 
loving wife, Kenia Rodriguez. Together, they set down roots in the Ave 
Maria community, building a family and a successful business. He notes 
that it is his Christian faith that has guided him in choosing a 
business that serves others, while also providing generously for the 
families of his 50 employees.
  Beyond his business pursuits, Manuel is a passionate anti-communist 
freedom fighter who has never forgotten his Cuban roots or the mission 
of achieving true democratic freedom for Cuba. Turning his convictions 
into action, Manuel created a YouTube channel dedicated expressly to 
denouncing the brutal Castro regime's human rights abuses and raising 
funds to support political prisoners and their families in Cuba. To 
this day, he remains blacklisted by the regime for speaking out against 
the ruthless dictatorship.
  Through his efforts, he has successfully provided medicine, food, and 
financial support to those still fighting for freedom, both in the 
opposition and those wrongfully imprisoned under the regime's 
oppressive hand.
  Exemplary citizens like Manuel Milanes are the very reason I remain 
hopeful for the future of our Nation and remain convinced the American 
Dream is yet alive and well today. His unrestrained willingness to risk 
his life for others, his unwavering commitment to freedom, and his deep 
faith make him a true patriot and a living example of the values we 
cherish in this great Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Manuel 
Milanes Pizonero, a hero who represents the best of America. We remain 
forever grateful to him and his family for their selfless contributions 
to our community and our country.

                          ____________________