HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-07-0530City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution of Condolence: R-07-0530
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 07-01176 Final Action Date: 9/11/2007
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION EXPRESSING DEEPEST
SYMPATHY AND SINCEREST CONDOLENCES ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI AND ITS CITIZENS TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ELISA VILANO
CHOVEL UPON HER UNTIMELY DEATH.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City"), cognizant of the glory of the human spirit, today grieves the
untimely death of the founder of the Operation Pedro Pan Group and successful real estate agent,
Elisa Vilano Chovel; and
WHEREAS, Elisa Vilano Chovel, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, founder and chairperson
of the Operation Pedro Pan Group, was a generous, kind and compassionate individual who built
bridges of love to everyone; and
WHEREAS, Elisa Vilano Chovel, who was known as "Elly," was born in Guanabacoa, Cuba and
imigrated to the United States during Operation Pedro Pan, a program sponsored by the United
States Catholic church and which brought an exodus of 14,000 Cuban children to the United States
between 1960 and 1962; and
WHEREAS, Elisa Vilano Chovel, based upon her experience as a migrant and her close
relationship with the creator of Operation Pedro Pan, led her in 1991 to organize the Operation Pedro
Pan Group (OPPG), a charitable organization formed by the former participants of the exodus and
who later became the group's founding president and chairperson of its Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, Elisa Vilano Chovel not only served her community through the Operation Pedro
Pan Group but also served as a volunteer to Catholic Charities, Miami Ballet Society, Miami City
Ballet, Community Relations Board, Creced, Catholic Home for Children, and Boys Town of Florida,
and for her contributions to the community, she was named a Woman of Impact 2000 by the
Community Coalition of Women's History of the Historical Society of Southern Florida and received
the JC Penney Golden Rule Award; and
WHEREAS, Elisa Vilano Chovel also excelled in her professional career with more than 25 years
as a real estate agent in Miami, was among the most renowed sales agents nationwide and one of
the 10 top agents in Miami, and who left this world a better place, died on Friday, August 31, 2007,
leaving behind a legacy of compassion, generosity and dedication.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
Section 1. The authorities of the City of Miami, in the State of Florida, on behalf of our citizens,
pause in our official deliberations to express our deepest sympathy to her children, Brigid, Browyn
and Chris, sisters Maria del Carmen and Barbara, and her grandchildren, as well as other bereaved
family, colleagues and friends, and to record for posterity this tribute to the memory of Elisa Vilano
City of Miami
Page 1 of 2 File Id: 07-01176 (Version: 1) Printed On: 4/13/2017
File Number: 07-01176 Enactment Number: R-07-0530
Chovel, a caring human being who contributed tirelessly to this community and possessed a
contagious enthusiasm for life (1946-2007).
Section 2. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
the Mayor.{1}
ATTEST:
PRISCILLAA. THOMPSON, CMC
CITY CLERK
MANUELA. DIAZ, MAYOR
CHAIRPERSON ANGEL GONZALEZ
VICE CHAIRPERSON JOE SANCHEZ
COMMISSIONER MARC DAVID SARNOFF
COMMISSIONER TOMAS REGALADO
COMMISSIONER MICHELLE SPENCE-JONES
Footnotes:
{1} If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar
days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become
effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File Id: 07-01176 (Version: 1) Printed On: 4/13/2017