[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 49 (Friday, April 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATING VICTOR M. FORTUNO'S DISTINGUISHED CAREER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Victor M. 
Fortuno's distinguished career in public interest law and his thirty 
years of exceptional service to the Legal Services Corporation (LSC).
  Vic Fortuno is a true American success story. Like me, Vic is a proud 
``nuyorican,'' that is, someone of Puerto Rican heritage hailing from 
New York City. He was born and raised in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan, 
where he lived with his brother and grandparents in a small shotgun-
style apartment. Vic thrived both in and out of school and was offered 
a full scholarship to Columbia University. He earned both his Bachelor 
of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees from Columbia, and spent his first 
year after law school providing legal services to the poor as a staff 
attorney with Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
Vic subsequently served for five years as an Assistant District 
Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. His work under then-
District Attorney Ed Rendell included assignments to the Trial and 
Appellate Divisions, as well as the Organized Crime Unit.
  Vic came to LSC in 1983 as an attorney in the Office of Compliance 
and Review. Subsequently, he served as Acting Director of Compliance 
and Review, Assistant General Counsel, Senior Litigation Counsel, and 
Deputy General Counsel before being appointed General Counsel of the 
Corporation in 1991. He has served honorably in that capacity for 
twenty-two years. Vic also holds the offices of Corporate Secretary and 
Vice President for Legal Affairs. As a key member of the management 
team, Vic has provided exceptional legal advice and counsel to eight 
LSC presidents and four boards of directors. He brought the highest 
levels of professionalism, ethics, and leadership to LSC's legal 
department. He achieved a record of success while providing sound 
advice, compassionate mentoring, and unwavering friendship to countless 
individuals during his tenure at LSC. Vic served as a stabilizing force 
in times of crisis, as the keeper of institutional knowledge in times 
of transition, and as a trusted and knowledgeable advisor throughout.
  Vic also served as LSC's first Latino president from 2010-2011. 
Always prepared and unflappable, with a ready smile, a hearty laugh, 
and a great sense of humor, Vic brought a wealth of experience and 
confidence to the Corporation's highest office. His patient, 
thoughtful, and collaborative leadership style empowered staff and 
enhanced LSC's commitment to providing access to justice for low-income 
Americans. I met Vic during this time period, and he struck me as just 
the type of person we should have in public service--caring, committed, 
and devoted to helping others.
  Throughout his career at LSC, Vic has selflessly dedicated himself to 
promoting the public interest and making the dream of ``equal justice 
for all'' a reality for all Americans. He is a model public servant, 
and I commend him for his life-long commitment to providing high-
quality civil legal services to the nation's poor.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating and thanking 
Victor M. Fortuno for his truly remarkable service to the Legal 
Services Corporation and his immeasurable contributions to both the 
legal aid community and our nation. I wish Victor all the best as he 
enters this new phase in his life.

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