[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 61 (Monday, May 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JOSE ``CHEGUI'' TORRES

                                 ______


                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 6, 1996

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute 
to a dear friend, Jose ``Chegui'' Torres, an accomplished boxer and 
writer whose 60th birthday will be celebrated today among family and 
friends at Jimmy's Bronx Cafe in the Bronx, NY.
  A fellow countryman, Chegui, as his close friends call him, was born 
in ``la Playa de Ponce,'' Puerto Rico. His talent in boxing was evident 
at a very young age. In 1956, Chegui won the silver medal in the 
Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. A year later, he migrated to the 
United States to continue his successful career in boxing.
  In 1965, Jose won the light heavyweight world title at a match at the 
Madison Square Garden, New York City. He was the first Puerto Rican to 
ever win a medium weight world championship in boxing. Members of the 
East Harlem community, in which he lived, made him a hero that day and 
held a parade to celebrate his victory. It was during this parade that 
Jose took the stage to acknowledge the thousands of fans and 
distinguished himself as an eloquent speaker.
  Jose is characterized as a person who can talk to people from all 
socio-economic backgrounds. He is well liked and respected in the 
community. Throughout the years, Jose has been a community activist and 
a fighter for minorities and poor people.
  After retiring from his boxing career, Jose was appointed by former 
Gov. Mario Cuomo to lead the New York State Athletic Commission. He 
also served City Council President Paul D'wyer, and worked in the 
election campaigns of then candidate to Congress Nydia Velazquez, and 
Mayor David Dinkins.
  Most recently, Jose has collaborated with the daily newspapers the 
New York Post and ``El Diario/La Pressa,'' as a guest columnist. He 
frequently writes about a wide variety of subject matters, from boxing 
and city life, to the socioeconomic plight of the poor, the elderly, 
and minorities. He has also written books on Muhammad Ali and Mike 
Tyson.
  On his 60th birthday, his wife, Ramona, friends, and other relatives 
will gather at Jimmy's Bronx Cafe for a surprise birthday party.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Jose 
``Chegui'' Torres, a remarkable friend and individual, a happy birthday 
and a long and healthy life.

                          ____________________