[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2132-E2133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE OF NEW YORK STATE SENATOR OLGA A. MENDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to take 
some time out to honor an incredible community leader and important 
figure on the national stage, Olga A. Mendez.
  Mendez, who passed away Wednesday, July 29 after a long battle with 
breast cancer, was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to state 
legislature in the mainland United States, serving in the New York 
State Senate from 1978 to 2004. She was a passionate leader and 
legislator that fought for not just the people of her beloved East 
Harlem, but for all people of humble backgrounds. We became good 
friends working for our constituents and while we may not have seen 
eye-to-eye on all issues over the years, there was never a doubt that 
she gave everything she had to public service.
  Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in 1925, Olga earned a bachelor's 
degree at the University of Puerto Rico and eventually earned her a 
doctorate in education from Yeshiva University after she moved to New 
York in the 1950s. She soon became involved in community issues and 
politics, going from being a Democratic convention delegate in 1972 and 
a deputy commissioner of the Agency for Childhood Development in New 
York City to the office of the New York State Senate in 1978.
  The first Puerto Rican woman elected to state legislature in the 
mainland United States, Olga was soon on the frontlines of numerous 
battles to make sure that people were given the resources and 
opportunities to improve the lives of their families and their 
communities, no matter where their country of origin or their 
background. At a time when so few women occupied positions of power on 
any level, she smashed stereotypes and opened doors so that a new 
generation of leaders could be more diverse and open-minded.
  In her 26 years in Albany, Olga brought in thousands of dollars in 
state funds to her district. We became good friends, collaborating 
together to bring not just city and federal aid to East Harlem and the 
South Bronx, but also private dollars to assist residents, especially 
families and seniors. As she worked hard to reduce truck emissions and 
the alarming rates of asthma in urban neighborhoods, she also reached 
out to developers on initiatives that would create jobs and expand 
opportunities for local business. Those seeds are continuing to bear 
fruit, most recently in projects like the East Harlem Automall and East 
River Plaza, a facility along the river on E. 116 St. that will soon 
open with tenants Home Depot and Costco. The fact that she was willing 
to risk her standing late in her political career to switch parties was 
just another example of her willingness to do anything for her 
constituents.
  Madam Speaker, I will be among many in New York and across the Nation 
that will miss Olga's passion and straight from the hip commentary. I 
know that she will be leading the cheers in heaven when we see our 
native daughter, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, finally confirmed as a Supreme 
Court Justice. Thankfully, Olga's legacy can be found in her numerous 
legislative victories, including our state minimum wage, various worker 
protection laws and in the dozens of education, health and affordable 
housing projects that she helped fund. And it will certainly be 
remembered as we see a new cadre of Latinas ascend into our Nation's 
leadership circles, their achievements built on the foundation of 
expectations she helped create.
  I am submitting a July 30, 2009 tribute editorial from New York's 
premier Spanish-language newspaper, El Diario/La Prensa which describes 
Olga's career and importance to our community.

                [From www.eldiariony.com, July 30, 2009]

                          A Legendary Pioneer

       As New York stands ready to celebrate one of its daughters 
     joining the Supreme Court, it also mourns the loss of one of 
     its most fearless leaders.
       Yesterday, former New York State Senator Olga Mendez died 
     at the age of 84 after a long battle with cancer. Mendez 
     represented El Barrio and sections of the South Bronx in the 
     Senate until 2004, after serving for 13 consecutive terms.
       Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Mendez understood well the 
     challenges Judge Sonia Sotomayor has faced and will continue 
     to face as a Hispanic woman. The judge withstood grilling 
     from white, male conservatives and she will become one of 
     only two female justices on the Court.

[[Page E2133]]

       In 1978, Mendez made history as the first Puerto Rican 
     woman elected to a state legislative office in the United 
     States. Her victory in representing Puerto Ricans and a 
     district the state neglected should have landed the wide 
     respect of her colleagues. Instead, Mendez, one of only a few 
     women then in the state senate, found herself wrestling with 
     the boys' club politics of New York.
       Mendez was brash, bold and aggressive because she had to 
     be. She cut her teeth in the Senate and became a battle-ready 
     politician. And she balanced what few politicians were able 
     to do well--an on-the-ground constituency services with the 
     ability to achieve critical legislative negotiations. This, 
     in a Senate that was controlled by Republicans during the 
     entire 26 years she served.
       Despite all of the disadvantages, Mendez successfully 
     fought for an increase in the state's minimum wage, ushered 
     in legislation that provided basic rights to migrant farm 
     workers, and secured funding for senior citizen centers. She 
     also fought for resources for early childhood development and 
     gained bipartisan support for affordable housing and economic 
     development initiatives in her district.
       Mendez provoked many criticisms, some valid. She opposed 
     abortion rights and was accused of making homophobic 
     statements about a political opponent. Controversies like her 
     party switch contributed to her eventual political demise.
       In 2002, she registered as a Republican in a bid to bring 
     resources to her district, a maneuver that today seems to be 
     acceptable depending on who is making the move. Mendez 
     complained that Democrats were taking Latinos for granted and 
     saw herself as handling the business of her district.
       For her faults, the legendary senator, who was widowed 
     early and had no children, sacrificed a family life for the 
     political commitment she made. She used her rich background 
     in education, her political experience, and above all, her 
     passion for her community to help many people.
       Mendez never minced her words. Anyone who came into contact 
     with her was left with a lasting impression. But it would be 
     a mistake to remember Mendez as simply a colorful personality 
     instead of who she truly was--a fierce politician who did not 
     back away from a bare-knuckled fight.

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