[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1926]]
               TRIBUTE TO MR. NAPOLEON FERNANDEZ GREGORY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 1998

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Napoleon 
Fernandez, an outstanding individual who has devoted his life to his 
family and to serving the community. Mr. Fernandez celebrated his 80th 
birthday in the company of his family and friends on Saturday, August 
22, 1998 at the Holy Cross Church Hall in the Bronx.
  Mr. Fernandez was born in the Dominican Republic. When he was in the 
6th grade, he had to quit school to get a job in order to support is 
mother and two sisters. With the desire and absolute resolution to 
provide for his family, he became a barber at the age of 14 and 1 year 
later owned his own barbershop. Known as ``Salon Figaro,'' the 
barbershop soon became the most famous in the Dominican Republic. He 
later entered show business and became an artistic entrepreneur who 
brought to the Dominican Republic famous musicians, such as Bobby Capo 
and Daniel Santos from Puerto Rico and Libertad Lamarque from Mexico. 
With his success blooming, he published a magazine called ``Revistas 
Figaro.''
  In 1952, Mr. Fernandez immigrated to the United States and obtained a 
barber's license within a year. He opened a shop on 112th Street and 
Broadway in Manhattan while still pursuing his musical career. He 
brought Armando Manzanero to the U.S. for the first time. He also went 
into the real state business and owned many buildings before losing 
them.
  After his real state business failed because of the discrimination 
and the difficulties immigrants and minorities faced those days, he 
became a music teacher and gave music lessons in public schools in New 
York and in New Jersey. He was the first Hispanic PTA President from 
Brandeis High School and PS 145. He also played music with various 
artists such as the legendary Maestro Marco Rizzo and various bands 
such as Orchestas de Dominica, Chaparro and Alfredo Munar. Today, Mr. 
Fernandez sings gospel music with the choir at Holy Cross Church and 
owns a baseball team, ``The Boys of Figaro''.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Fernandez was very involved in politics and clearly 
believes that electoral politics is honorable public service. He was 
very active in campaigns for former Representative Herman Badillo, the 
first Puerto Rican to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. 
Mr. Fernandez could have been the first Dominican elected to the New 
York State Assembly but he chose not to run.
  Mr. Fernandez has been married to Carmen for 36 years. They have 8 
children and 19 grandchildren who are all doing very well.
  His life of courage and his contributions to our country make all of 
us, the immigrant community and his family, truly proud.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and the family of Mr. 
Napoleon Fernandez Gregory in wishing him a happy 80th birthday.

                          ____________________