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| Secretary of State Marco Rubio |
On May 7, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered heartfelt and humorous remarks at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) Gala held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. Honored with a Lifetime Leadership Award, Rubio took the opportunity to reflect on his early political experiences, the mentors who shaped his path, and the importance of nurturing future Latino leaders.
Rubio recounted his political beginnings with anecdotes from his internship in Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s office and his volunteer work for Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s congressional campaign. He credited these early opportunities—and the figures who provided them—as foundational to his career, which now includes roles as Senator, Speaker of the Florida House, and Secretary of State.
Throughout his speech, Rubio emphasized the value of mentorship, public service, and the often-overlooked day-to-day work of constituent service. He honored the legacy of Lincoln Diaz-Balart, praised the ongoing contributions of Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and encouraged the audience to continue investing in young talent.
Rubio balanced light-hearted stories with a strong message: leadership is not achieved alone. The paths opened to him were made possible by those who came before—and it's now the responsibility of today’s leaders to open doors for the next generation.
Rubio’s remarks were not only a tribute to his mentors but a call to action for Hispanic leadership to foster opportunity, expand representation, and strengthen the future of public service.
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