[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MR. RAUL DAVILA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2006

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of 
Raul Davila, the late, great Puerto Rican actor. Mr. Davila was a 
leading light in the Hispanic acting community and a good friend. He 
will be missed by all who knew or knew of him.
  Mr. Davila was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on September 15, 1934. 
He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and Tulane University. 
By the time he was in his early twenties, he was acting in soap operas 
and other works broadcast on the island of Puerto Rico. In spite of his 
success in Puerto Rico, he soon felt the pull to move to a larger 
market and to take on more challenges. In late 1963, like so many of 
his generation, he moved to New York.
  Upon arriving in New York, he immersed himself in the vibrant and 
vital Hispanic acting and arts scene. He began to work as an actor, and 
starred in many television shows, both in Spanish and English. He, 
along with other Hispanic actors, fought valiantly for the rights and 
recognition that Hispanic actors deserved.
  One manner in which Mr. Davila successfully pushed for equal 
opportunities for Hispanic actors was through his leadership at the 
Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, or HOLA, of which he was 
president many times. Part of HOLA's mission statement reads that the 
organization seeks ``to expand the presence of Hispanic actors in both 
the Latino and mainstream entertainment and communications media by 
facilitating industry access to employing professional and emerging 
Hispanic actors.'' Raul Davila's service to the community, of which he 
was such a vital part, focused directly on that mission. He sought to 
open doors for Hispanic actors here in the United States.
  Today we often take for granted much of the success that Latino 
performers have in show business. It is important, however, to remember 
that this was not always the case. We must recognize those who led the 
way. For this reason, it is fitting that we honor this Puerto Rican 
actor, who was not only a pioneer in his field, but also set the 
standard for others to follow in the decades to come.
  We must also recognize Mr. Davila's artistic achievements, which were 
many. He was the star of many ``telenovelas,'' popular Spanish-language 
soap operas, as well as well-received appearances in movies like ``The 
Believers,'' ``The Man with My Face,'' and ``Counterplot.'' He was 
perhaps best known for his role in ``Carmelo Y Punto.'' His acting in 
the play ``Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf'' won him a prize in 1972 
from the Puerto Rican Cultural Institute, and a prize from the 
newspaper ``El Tiempo.'' He also never gave up his love of learning 
about his craft, earning a Masters in Dramatic Arts from the Pasadena 
Playhouse in California later in life.
  Mr. Speaker, with the passing of Raul Davila, we have lost one of the 
leaders in the Hispanic acting community. His passion for acting and 
his dedication to promoting opportunities for other Hispanic actors was 
truly inspirational. Although he has passed on, his works will continue 
to inspire and impact the lives of generations to come. Surely, that is 
the mark of great life. I ask that my colleagues join me in paying 
tribute to Raul Davila.

                          ____________________