[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO FERNANDO FERRER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2001

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
leader and political figure. Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer 
has dedicated his life to serving the community and has been recognized 
nationally for revitalizing the Bronx.
  I have known Mr. Ferrer, or Freddy as I know him, for 30 years and 
have been continuously impressed by his vigor and political expertise. 
Freddy was elected to his first term as borough president in 1987 with 
an overwhelming 87 percent of the public vote. To illustrate Freddy's 
outstanding leadership and how much Bronxites trust him, ten years and 
three terms later, he was reelected yet again with 87 percent of the 
public vote.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure to work with Freddy Ferrer 
throughout the years to continue and intensify the restoration of the 
Bronx. From the moment he took office, Freddy began implementing a new, 
higher set of standards by which to run the borough. These changes, 
such as his strict code of ethics for his staff, have made it easier to 
make necessary changes throughout the Bronx.
  Among Freddy's long list of accomplishments, he led the Bronx to 
winning the prestigious National Civic League's All-American City Award 
in 1997 and the Crown Community Award presented by American City and 
County magazine in 1999. The New York State Department of Health 
statistics show that between 1995 and 1999, 4,110 fewer individuals 
were unemployed. During that period, the number of AIDS cases in the 
Bronx dropped by nearly 50%, and homicides decreased by roughly 23 
percent. Since 1990, the Bronx has received 2.5 billion dollars worth 
of new construction. From new businesses to new housing developments, 
Bronx residents have been able to witness their community grow before 
their very eyes. Freddy orchestrated the nation's most comprehensive 
housing revival when nearly 64,000 new and rehabilitated residences 
became available in the Bronx. This surge of structural progress and 
the resurgence of local businesses have been pivotal in rejuvenating 
the spirit of the Bronx. Along with the legendary Yankee Stadium, which 
Freddy and myself strove to keep in the Bronx, our borough president 
has become an undeniable part of Bronx history.
  Mr. Speaker, Freddy's roots are in the Bronx and he has not strayed 
from the borough. He was born there, attended primary and secondary 
school there, and attended the New York University at its Bronx campus. 
He and his distinguished wife, Aramina, raised their daughter, Carlina, 
in the Bronx as well. This fall, Freddy ran for New York City mayor, 
and in doing so, brought a new vision for all of our communities. 
Freddy's entire campaign, especially when he eloquently expressed his 
visions for the city in debates and speeches, made us all very proud.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Fernando Ferrer for 
over 20 years of remarkable and innovative service to the people of the 
Bronx.

                          ____________________