[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 35 (Thursday, March 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E407-E408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LUIS A. FERRE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2004

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House has taken up and 
passed House Resolution 433, a resolution that honors and remembers the 
contributions of a great American and a revered figure on the island of 
Puerto Rico.
  On October 21, 2003, at the age of 99, Puerto Rico lost a hero in the 
passing of Luis Ferre. Perhaps the greatest political figure in the 
history of Puerto Rico, Luis Ferre spent his entire life working to 
make life better for the residents of Puerto Rico. Luis Ferre was a 
successful businessman and a human rights advocate for people on the 
small Caribbean island. He was elected to post as both Governor and 
Representative in Puerto Rico and also served as Chairman of the Puerto 
Rico Republican Party.
  Ferre loved America. One of his greatest hopes was to see his native 
Puerto Rico become an American State and he worked throughout his life 
to advance the cause of statehood for Puerto Rico. In 1917, at the age 
of 13 years old, Ferre along with the people of Puerto Rico were 
granted United States citizenship. Ferre often recounted that while he 
could not recall the day Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. Citizenship, 
that he was grateful to be alive to enjoy the privileges of living in 
the worlds greatest republic.
  In 1951, Ferre was elected delegate to the Puerto Rican 
Constitutional Convention and he was able to directly contribute to the 
island becoming an official United States Commonwealth in 1952.
  In 1968, Ferre was elected Governor and he continued to work toward 
Puerto Rican Statehood. He remained active in politics up to his death, 
most notably as the chairman of the Republican Party in Puerto Rico.

[[Page E408]]

  Mr. Speaker, many people from across the United States and across the 
globe have taken note of the contributions of Luis Ferre and his life 
of public service on the islands of Puerto Rico. Most notably, former 
President George H.W. Bush awarded Ferre with the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom in 1991, the highest government award a civilian can receive. 
Ferre is one of four Puerto Ricans to receive this Presidential honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the people of Puerto Rico and I am 
pleased that this body is honoring a great American and a great Puerto 
Rican. I extend my condolences to Luis Ferre's family and to all the 
people of Puerto Rico who cherished this man and his contributions.

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