[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                OSCAR GARCIA RIVERA POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 1997

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly urge my colleagues 
to support H.R. 282, a bill that would designate the U.S. Post Office 
Building located at 153 East 110th Street in my district in New York, 
as the Oscar Garcia Rivera Post Office Building.
  Mr. Oscar Garcia Rivera was the first Puerto Rican to be elected to 
public office in the continental United States. On March 7, 1937, he 
made history by becoming assemblyman of the 14th Congressional 
District, in the State of New York, which at that time was Harlem.
  Oscar Rivera was a true leader who was committed to improving the 
lives of those who resided in his community. He was committed to 
protecting the rights of manual laborers and encouraged workers to 
organize themselves into active unions. However, his many contributions 
did not stop there.
  He went on to introduce a bill guaranteeing safeguards against 
unemployment which was enacted into law in February 1939. He defended 
minimum wage laws, fought for regulated hours of labor, and worked to 
establish tariff agreements.
  Oscar Garcia Rivera was a man of many talents. His vision of helping 
others to lead a better and more prosperous life, began as a young man 
who established the Association of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Employees 
within the U.S. Postal Service where he was employed, and continued 
throughout his entire adult life until his passing in 1969.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored and proud to be a part of this legislation 
honoring this outstanding and renowned individual. The life of Oscar 
Rivera is an inspiration not only to New York State and the Puerto 
Rican community, but to all people whose lives were touched in some way 
by his vision.
  Let us salute him and pay tribute to him in this way.

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