[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF JOSE TORRES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 9, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former 
light-heavyweight boxing champion Jose Torres, who sadly passed away on 
January 19th this year. Mr. Torres was an extraordinary man who 
achieved a life that advanced the cause of civil rights, community 
empowerment, and equality of opportunity. Of Puerto Rican descent, Mr. 
Torres was fiercely proud of his heritage and made New York his home 
for 50 years.
  Mr. Torres learned to box in the Army and captured the light-
middleweight silver medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. After that, 
he served as a sparring partner for Sugar Ray Robinson. Mr. Torres 
boxed professionally from 1958 to 1969, sporting a record 41 wins, 
three losses, and one draw. He was a light-heavyweight champion, 
successfully defended his title three times, and was inducted into the 
International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.
  He captured the light-heavyweight crown in 1965 by defeating then 
undisputed champion Willie Pastrano. His victory sent an outpouring of 
joy and pride into the streets of Spanish Harlem which held a parade in 
his honor, and he dedicated his title to the people of Puerto Rico.
  Mr. Torres had a passion for civil rights and became a voice for the 
Latino. He joined Robert F. Kennedy's 1968 Presidential campaign to 
serve as a liaison to the Puerto Rican community. After boxing, Mr. 
Torres began his journalism career as a columnist for the New York 
Post. He became the first Hispanic columnist for a major English-
language paper, writing about politics and life in the neighborhoods of 
Spanish Harlem. He also wrote for the Spanish-speaking New York 
newspaper El Diario La Prensa. His was a powerful voice because people 
trusted him. You could not find any one in New York who would not talk 
to him. Mr. Torres' literary interests extended to authoring the 
celebrated biographies of boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
  In the mid-eighties, Mr. Torres served as the chairman of the New 
York State Athletic Commission, becoming the first former professional 
boxer and first Latino to head the boxing oversight agency. He 
understood the social disadvantages that many boxers faced and vowed to 
promote educational opportunities for fighters ``at least so they can 
read their contracts.''
  Mr. Torres dedicated his life to helping others professionally and 
personally. Over the decades, he befriended and nurtured aspiring 
journalists and up-and-coming fighters. Mr. Torres is revered among the 
people of Spanish Harlem and Puerto Rico, which declared three days of 
mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half staff.
  Once again, I pay tribute to Jose Torres, a trailblazer for his 
people and a renaissance man who made a positive impact in boxing, 
literature and civil rights. Those of us who had the opportunity to 
observe and experience his example consider ourselves blessed.

                          ____________________