III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 582 

Recognizing and honoring the life of Jose Fernandez. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 

Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. NELSON) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing and honoring the life of Jose Fernandez. 

Whereas Jose Fernandez was born in Santa Clara, Cuba, on 

July 31, 1992; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez attempted to escape Cuba on 4 separate occasions and was imprisoned by the Cuban Government for doing so; 

Whereas during one of his attempts to escape Cuba, Jose 

Fernandez saved the life of his mother by diving into the 

water to rescue her after she fell into the Yucatan channel; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez came to the United States on April 

5, 2008; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez was a graduate of Braulio Alonso 

High School in Tampa, Florida; 


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•SRES 582 IS 

Whereas Jose Fernandez was drafted by the Miami Marlins 

in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball 

Draft as the 14th overall selection; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez signed with the Marlins on August 

15, 2011; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez started his first Major League 

Baseball game on April 7, 2013; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez won the 2013 National League 

Rookie of the Year award; 

Whereas, in 2013, after more than 5 years and with the help 

of the Marlins, Jose Fernandez was reunited with his 

grandmother, whom he called the love of his life; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez became a United States citizen on 

April 24, 2015; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez was a 2-time All-Star, with a career 

record of 38 wins, 17 losses, 589 strikeouts, and a 2.58 

earned run average; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez gave back to his community 

through charities such as Live Like Bella, the Marlins 

Foundation, and the Marlins Ayudan; 

Whereas, on September 25, 2016, Jose Fernandez died in a 

tragic boating accident with his 2 friends, Emilio Macias 

and Eduardo Rivero; 

Whereas Emilio Macias and Eduardo Rivero graduated from 

G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School in Miami, Florida; 

Whereas Jose Fernandez, through his hard work, devotion, 

and optimism, brought great joy to his family, especially 

his mother and grandmother; and 


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•SRES 582 IS 

Whereas Jose Fernandez’s pursuit of the American dream 

was a great source of pride for the Cuban exile community of the United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) honors the life and accomplishments of Jose 

3 Fernandez; 

4 (2) offers heartfelt condolences to— 

5 (A) the family, friends, loved ones, and 

6 teammates of Jose Fernandez; and 

7 (B) the family and friends of Emilio 

8 Macias and Eduardo Rivero; 

9 (3) commends the significant contributions that 

10 Jose Fernandez made, on and off the field, to— 

11 (A) the City of Tampa, Florida; 

12 (B) the City of Miami, Florida; and 

13 (C) the State of Florida; and 

14 (4) recognizes the memory of Jose Fernandez 

15 as an inspiration for all who seek freedom and a bet16 ter life in the United States. 

Æ 


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