[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1559-E1560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO EDWIN G. SUAREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise with great sadness as I remember 
the life of my good friend and former Rangel Staff Alumni, Edwin G. 
Suarez. As I speak with profound sorrow, I ascend to celebrate a life 
well lived and to remember with fondness the accomplishments of a 
remarkable man who, over his many years, etched his name in history as 
a visionary and innovator who enriched and transformed housing projects 
and programs in my beloved East Harlem and the City of New York.
  Edwin, a man whose life, to a remarkable degree, embodied the reverie 
of the American dream, was a great man of distinction which reflected 
his grand Puerto Rican heritage. Born on August 13, 1940, Edwin was a 
long-time community leader who devoted many years to the betterment of 
East Harlem. He was born and raised in Manhattan, as the only son of 
Avelino Suarez and Julia Gonzalez Suarez and dedicated his live to 
giving back to his beloved city as an urban planner dedicated to doing 
his part to ensure safe and affordable housing for all.
  In his capacity as a housing manager for the City of New York, and 
with the NAACP as a sponsor, Edwin was able to travel the world in 
order to confer with his counterparts in great urban centers, including 
those in Japan, Ecuador, Italy, France, Holland and Scandinavia. He 
returned from these fact-finding missions with critical information 
used to improve the various housing projects and programs in New York 
City's East Harlem community.
  Edwin proceeded to touch more lives when he entered the political 
arena as an elected District Leader of the 68th New York State Assembly 
District, Part B. He also served as my Special Legislative Assistant 
and served as my Congressional Liaison to my East Harlem constituents, 
a position he served with a tremendous sense of professionalism. He 
went on to serve on numerous community and municipal boards, including 
President of the Metro North Housing and Development Corporation, and 
Vice President of the Union Settlement Federal Credit Union.
  The death of Edwin Suarez on June 20, 2006, brought immense sorrow 
and loss to his family and friends, countless community leaders and 
colleagues in government, and me personally. He is survived by his 
three children, Darlene Suarez Casey, Edwin Suarez II and Desiree J. 
Suarez; his only grandchild, Jasmine Suarez Osorio van Wijgerden, and 
his former wife, Josephine Suarez Reyes. Such a benevolent amalgamation 
of intellect, steadfastness, and vigor as that demonstrated by Edwin 
over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others will greatly be 
missed.
  This past weekend, on June 20, 2009, Edwin was memorialized by those 
that loved and cherished him with the renaming of the Northwest corner 
of East 101st Street and First Avenue in my district. It is my hope 
that this act will help preserve the memory of this remarkable man, not 
only for the benefit of those who knew him but for all who value the 
promise of America.

[[Page E1560]]



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