[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 31 (Monday, March 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO ASSEMBLYWOMAN CARMEN E. ARROYO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 1, 1999

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and to pay 
tribute to Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo, an outstanding individual 
who has dedicated her life to public service.
  Born in Corozal, Puerto Rico, Carmen moved to New York City in 1964 
after graduating from Corozal High School and Sixto Febus Business 
School, where she received her Secretarial-Bookkeeper degree. She has 
shown the importance of life-long learning as she has continued to take 
post-graduate courses. In 1978 she received her Associate of Arts 
Degree from Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College and in 1980, at 
the age of 44, she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College 
of New Rochelle. I have known her personally for many years, and I am 
very familiar with her background, experience, character, and 
personality. She is a person of the highest personal and professional 
integrity.
  Mr. Speaker, when Carmen moved to New York, she worked long hours in 
a factory in order to bring her seven children from Puerto Rico. In 
1965, they joined her in New York, but, unable to find day care 
services, she was forced to receive public assistance for nine months, 
during which time she organized the welfare mothers of her community 
and founded the South Bronx Action Group (SBAG) in 1966. The South 
Bronx Action Group received funding and Carmen served as the Executive 
Director. She expanded the notion of tenant advocacy to include 
interrelated employment, health, adult education, and welfare services. 
Today, the SBAG is still operating.
  In 1978, Carmen became Executive Director of the South Bronx 
Community Corporation, where she was responsible for implementation of 
policy and overall supervision of program budgeting. As Executive 
Director, she implemented a successful feeding program where over 400 
senior citizens and drug addicts were served hot meals on a daily 
basis. Under her leadership, the SBCC had the largest Summer Youth 
Employment Program in New York City, employing over 5,000 each year. 
Carmen was also instrumental in raising funds from public resources and 
private foundations. She initiated a grant for funds under Section 202 
of the Federal Housing Act and received two grants totaling over 8.4 
million dollars to construct 194 housing units for senior citizens. 
Carmen was also instrumental in the development of private housing for 
working class families in the South Bronx. As a result of that, she 
became the first Puerto Rican woman housing developer in New York 
State.
  In 1978, Carmen was elected Female District Leader of what today is 
the 74th Assembly District, which she served until 1993. She served as 
Member and President of Community School Board 7 from 1973 to 1993. She 
served as member of the Lincoln Hospital Advisory Board for 17 years 
and in 1973 was appointed by former Governor Nelson Rockefeller to the 
NYS Medicaid Council, on which she served a 4-year term. She was also 
Member and Chairperson of Planning Board One for 20 years.
  Mr. Speaker, in February 1994, Carmen won a special election and 
became the first Puerto Rican Woman elected to the New York State 
Assembly.
  This is the kind of issue that should be discussed in the classrooms. 
Assemblywoman Arroyo is a role model for all Hispanics. She has set an 
example of how success is available for all of those who persevere to 
achieve their goals. She is an inspiration for many Puerto Ricans and 
for the people in the Bronx who are trying to break the cycle of 
poverty.
  Carmen is the mother of seven and the grandmother of fourteen. She 
continues to reside in the South Bronx with her husband Hector Ramirez.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending 
Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo for her outstanding achievements and in 
wishing her continued success.




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