US Congressman. For four decades he was a fixture in New York City politics and America’s first Puerto Rican born US Congressman. At age 11, he moved in with relatives in New York City, learned to speak English and attended public schools. He graduated from City College in 1951, from Brooklyn Law School in 1954, was admitted to the bar in 1955 and proceeded to practice law in New York. Active in city politics, he was the first Puerto Rican City Commissioner in 1962, board chairman to the City University of New York and championed for civil rights, jobs, housing and education reforms. In 1971, he was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-second Congress and to the next three succeeding Congresses, serving until his resignation in 1977. He was then Deputy Mayor of New York City, (1977-79) and chairman on the Board of Directors of the State of New York Mortgage Agency, (1984-86). He was also the author of the book, “One Nation, One Standard: An Ex-Liberal on How Hispanics Can Succeed Just Like Other Immigrant Groups” (2006). He died of heart failure at age 85.
US Congressman. For four decades he was a fixture in New York City politics and America’s first Puerto Rican born US Congressman. At age 11, he moved in with relatives in New York City, learned to speak English and attended public schools. He graduated from City College in 1951, from Brooklyn Law School in 1954, was admitted to the bar in 1955 and proceeded to practice law in New York. Active in city politics, he was the first Puerto Rican City Commissioner in 1962, board chairman to the City University of New York and championed for civil rights, jobs, housing and education reforms. In 1971, he was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-second Congress and to the next three succeeding Congresses, serving until his resignation in 1977. He was then Deputy Mayor of New York City, (1977-79) and chairman on the Board of Directors of the State of New York Mortgage Agency, (1984-86). He was also the author of the book, “One Nation, One Standard: An Ex-Liberal on How Hispanics Can Succeed Just Like Other Immigrant Groups” (2006). He died of heart failure at age 85.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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