Xavier Suarez
Encyclopedia
Xavier L. Suarez was the first native born Cuban
mayor of Miami.
Suarez attended the Colegio de Belen but graduated from St. Anselm's Abbey School
in 1967, earned a degree in engineering from Villanova University
in 1971, and later studied government and law at Harvard University
. He later returned to Miami and built his support in the city's Cuban community, and was sworn in as mayor on November 13, 1985, replacing Puerto Rico-born Maurice Ferre
.
Suarez was first elected Mayor in 1985. He was re-elected in 1987 and again in 1989 for a four year term. Suarez was highly regarded as Mayor of Miami. According to a March 30, 1993 article in The Miami Herald, "In 1989, [Suarez] won national admiration when he waded through hostile crowds in Overtown during civil disturbances to try to make peace." Suarez cited the construction of 1,500 affordable homes as one of his "proudest achievements" during his tenure. He was also given the name "pothole Mayor" for his attention to City neighborhoods. In 1993 Suarez got the Latin Builder's Association to donate $150,000 to rebuild the only Catholic elementary school in Overtown. He decided not to run again in 1993 in order to spend more time with his family. He returned to practice law in Miami before he decided to run again in November 1997 and was re-elected.
His opponent, Joe Carollo, challenged the election in court. The judge presiding over the case decided to throw out all absentee ballots, which effectively handed the election to Mr. Carollo.
(St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic University), and Eloisa Gaston. He is married to Rita and they have four children, Francis Xavier, Olga Marie, Anna Teresita, and Carolina Suarez.
His son, Francis Xavier, is now the commissioner for the City of Miami from District 4.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
mayor of Miami.
Suarez attended the Colegio de Belen but graduated from St. Anselm's Abbey School
St. Anselm's Abbey School
St. Anselm's Abbey School is an all boys's preparatory school for grades six through twelve in Washington D.C.. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington...
in 1967, earned a degree in engineering from Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
in 1971, and later studied government and law at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He later returned to Miami and built his support in the city's Cuban community, and was sworn in as mayor on November 13, 1985, replacing Puerto Rico-born Maurice Ferre
Maurice Ferre
Maurice A. Ferre is a former six-term Mayor of Miami. Ferre was the first United States mayor born in Puerto Rico and the first Hispanic Mayor of Miami. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2010 elections for the U.S...
.
Suarez was first elected Mayor in 1985. He was re-elected in 1987 and again in 1989 for a four year term. Suarez was highly regarded as Mayor of Miami. According to a March 30, 1993 article in The Miami Herald, "In 1989, [Suarez] won national admiration when he waded through hostile crowds in Overtown during civil disturbances to try to make peace." Suarez cited the construction of 1,500 affordable homes as one of his "proudest achievements" during his tenure. He was also given the name "pothole Mayor" for his attention to City neighborhoods. In 1993 Suarez got the Latin Builder's Association to donate $150,000 to rebuild the only Catholic elementary school in Overtown. He decided not to run again in 1993 in order to spend more time with his family. He returned to practice law in Miami before he decided to run again in November 1997 and was re-elected.
His opponent, Joe Carollo, challenged the election in court. The judge presiding over the case decided to throw out all absentee ballots, which effectively handed the election to Mr. Carollo.
Family
He was the 9th child and 2nd son of 14 children of Manuel Suarez-Carreno, the first Dean of the School of Engineering at the Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de VillanuevaUniversidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva
Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva was a private Roman Catholic university founded on August 15, 1946, in Havana, Cuba. It was founded by American Augustinians with assistance from European Augustinians and named after Saint Thomas of Villanova. In 1957, it was declared a pontifical...
(St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic University), and Eloisa Gaston. He is married to Rita and they have four children, Francis Xavier, Olga Marie, Anna Teresita, and Carolina Suarez.
His son, Francis Xavier, is now the commissioner for the City of Miami from District 4.