[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. RAMON VELEZ JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2004

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Ramon 
Velez, an extraordinary community leader who has played an important 
role in improving housing opportunities for the people of the Bronx.
  Ramon was born in Colon, Panama but raised in Puerto Rico and the 
Bronx, NY. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public 
Administration from InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico in 1978, a 
Masters in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal 
Justice in 1985 and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development and 
Finance from New York University in 1992. He is also a graduate of the 
Minorities Developers Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
  Today, Ramon serves as the President of the South Bronx Community 
Management Company, Inc., a property management company responsible for 
the management and operations of approximately 2,200 units of housing. 
Under his leadership, the company has been able to develop over 1,300 
units in the South Bronx. Recently, they successfully completed a 
scattered site project consisting of 18 two and three family homes in 
the South Bronx for first time home buyers.
  Mr. Speaker, I am truly appreciative of the work Ramon Velez has done 
for the people of my district. As a result of his strong leadership and 
vision many people have been able to achieve a higher standard of 
living in the Bronx. For his outstanding service to the people of my 
community, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this remarkable 
man.

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