[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO REVEREND RUBEN DARIO COLON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 1998

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. Ruben 
Dario Colon, one of the longest serving members of Community Board #4 
in the Bronx, who will be retiring from the Board this month after 
years of service.
  Born in Puerto Rico, Rev. Colon attended the University of Puerto 
Rico and the Theological Seminary of Puerto Rico and, in 1947 he 
married Ms. Ramonita Orabona, with whom he had a son and a daughter.
  In the United States, he obtained a bachelor's degree from Adelphi 
University. He also holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran 
Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work from Fordham 
University.
  Rev. Colon was ordained in 1950. He has served at Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection since 1959 and became its Pastor in 
1968. His ministry is faithfully committed to bringing spiritual 
enlightenment to the community. In addition, he serves as the highest 
ranking Hispanic Chaplain of the New York City Police Department and 
also serves as Chaplain at the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital.
  As a psychiatric social worker, Rev. Colon has provided psychiatric 
therapy for adults and families at many institutions, including 
Covenant House and the Bronx Psychiatric Center. He was organizer and 
President of the New York City Puerto Rican Community Childrens 
Hospital. He is a member of the Board of the Morrisania Diagnostic and 
Treatment Center of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.
  The professional, religious and civic organizations to which Rev. 
Colon belongs, like the honors and awards he has been given are almost 
beyond counting. Among the many honors bestowed upon him, Rev. Colon is 
the first Puerto Rican to receive the Silver Medal of the Academic 
Society of Arts, Science and Literature of France.
  Reverend Colon has lived to help those who have needed him. His long 
and fruitful career as a pastor, counselor, chaplain and community 
activist has touched thousands of individuals in our community. 
Reverend Colon has been an outstanding leader and a great role model, 
not only to the organizations he has served so well but also to the 
Hispanic community and other religious organizations.
  As it is written in Hebrews 6:10 ``for God is not unjust; he will not 
forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his 
people and continue to help them.'' The community, too, recognizes him 
and is honoring him.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rev. Ruben 
Dario Colon for his remarkable career serving the community and 
bringing hope to the many individuals he has touched. While he is 
leaving Community Board #4, I am confident that Reverend Colon, a wise 
and talented leader will, continue serving our community.

                          ____________________