[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S29-S30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


IN HONOR OF RAMON RIVERA, RETIRING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LA CASA DE DON 
                                 PEDRO

  Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, on November 9, 1994, a very special man, 
Ramon Rivera, retired as executive director of the community based 
organization, La Casa de Don Pedro. After 25 years of public service, 
he was honored for his lifetime commitment to improving the lives of 
individuals and families in some of New Jersey's poorest neighborhoods.
  La Casa de Don Pedro was founded by Ramon Rivera as Familias Unidas 
in 1971. It functioned as a resource for Hispanic families to find 
adequate child care and employment opportunities in Newark. Through the 
1970's, 1980's, and 1990's La Casa blossomed into one of the largest 
community based organizations in New Jersey. Its services include child 
care, assistance for senior citizens, and job retraining. La Casa's 
most notable achievements include building low-income two-family 
housing units and town houses for the residents of Newark. La Casa also 
developed a credit union that has loaned $2.2 million to residents. If 
it were not for the credit union, many of the community residents would 
have no place to deposit money, secure small loans, or take advantage 
of services we often take for granted.
  Ramon Rivera, born in Puerto Rico, came to this country at the age of 
12. He began his long career in community service as an organizer for 
the National Welfare Rights Organization, assisting Latina and non-
Latina women seek food and clothing. He was then founder 
[[Page S30]] and director of OYE, Inc., a nonprofit educational and 
cultural program for Hispanic youth. Before he founded La Casa, he was 
the northern regional representative for the Puerto Rican Congress of 
New Jersey. A graduate of the school of social work at Rutgers 
University, Ramon Rivera has devoted more than 30 years of his career 
to helping low-income families help themselves.
  Ramon Rivera created an island of hope in a community that lacked 
access to opportunities and equity. He developed a vibrant social 
service organization that has served almost two generations of New 
Jersey residents. While his retirement will be a great loss for those 
who have worked with him and for those he has served, he has left an 
exemplary legacy of philanthropic effort and commitment.


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