[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LUIS A. FERRE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ANIBAL ACEVEDO-VILA

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 2003

  Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your 
attention a great loss suffered by the people of Puerto Rico today. 
This morning the radios announced the passing of a great man, former 
Governor Luis A. Ferre. The people of Puerto Rico mourn this loss and 
celebrate his life. The former Governor embodied the finest Puerto Rico 
has to offer and he served Puerto Rico well. He was a true man of 
principles. With his death, Puerto Rico says good-bye to one of the 
latest Puerto Ricans of a generation that overcame great challenges to 
convert Puerto Rico to a prosperous, modem and developed Island.
  Ferre governed from 1968 to 1972, an era of great economic 
development for the island. He was a very popular leader. One of his 
great contributions to the modem Puerto Rico was the creation of the 
Environmental Quality board, the Departments of Natural Resources and 
Housing, and the Tourism Company. He also created the Youth Affairs 
Office. He was a true visionary.
  As a politician, musician, successful businessman and philanthropist, 
he demonstrated the characteristics of a great Puerto Rican. 
Unfortunately, he has left the Earth today, but I know he has a 
privileged place in the hearts of all Puerto Ricans and in Heaven. My 
thoughts and prayers and those of my family are with his wife, Tiody 
Ferre and his family. May God carry you in the trying time.

                          ____________________