[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1137-E1138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN PARADE: 41 YEARS OF HISTORY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 16, 1998

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great joy that I rise today to 
pay tribute to the National Puerto Rican Parade on its 41 years of 
history. The parade, which was held on June 14 in New York City, is the 
largest celebration of Puerto Rican culture in the United States.
  Throughout its history, the parade has grown into a national event 
under the leadership of its President, Ramon S. Velez. The event 
attracts thousands of Puerto Ricans from across the nation and from 
Puerto Rico, as well as many other individuals, their families and 
children, from all ethnic backgrounds.
  As a Puerto Rican, a New Yorker, and a Member of Congress, every year 
it is an honor to participate in this national event, in which 
thousands of individuals march along Fifth Avenue, in Manhattan, in 
celebration of our Puerto Rican heritage and our achievements in this 
nation. This year I had the honor to march with members of the 
``Sociedad Cultural Mayaguezana, Inc.'' and other representatives from 
my birth town of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

[[Page E1138]]

  Mayaguez was founded in 1760 by Spaniards. Its first inhabitants, 
before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492, were Indians known as the 
``Tainos'', which means good or noble. Today Mayaguez has a population 
of 200,000 people. The town, which lies in the southwestern part of 
Puerto Rico, is also known as ``Sultana del Oeste''.
  This year's parade honored the life of Luis Munoz Marin, the first 
Governor of Puerto Rico elected by the people in 1947. Munoz Marin is 
credited with implementing the new economic reforms which resulted in 
raising the standard of living on the island to one of the highest in 
Latin America and the Caribbean.
  The parade has served as a national landmark in which people from all 
ethnic groups unite to commemorate our nation's glorious immigrant 
history. Among many other accomplishments, Puerto Ricans have been 
instrumental in transforming New York City into a great bilingual city.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring Luis Munoz Marin and the National Puerto Rican Parade, 
in its celebration of our Puerto Rican legacy, and the many 
contributions made by the sons and daughters of Puerto Rico to the 
greatness of this nation.

                          ____________________