[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AND IN RECOGNITION 
                        OF ROBERT ``BOB'' SANCHO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2016

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of National Hispanic 
Heritage Month to join the community of El Barrio, The Village of 
Harlem, the City and State of New York, and the Nation in commemorating 
an outstanding public servant and community leader, Mr. Robert ``Bob'' 
Sancho. Through his many years of service, Robert has spent nearly half 
a century tirelessly advocating for his community and uplifting many 
citizens.
  Over the course of his career, Bob Sancho has held many positions of 
great importance in the City of New York. As Deputy Superintendent of 
Schools in Community School District No. 4, he took the district from 
last place (32nd) in reading and math, to 13th among New York City 
School districts. This feat was achieved over a seven year period and 
was considered one of the most successful educational accomplishments 
in America.
  Bob was born and raised in the South Bronx. He is a product of the 
New York City Public School system and went on to earn a Bachelor of 
Arts Degree at the Inter-American University in San German, Puerto 
Rico, specializing in Education and Political Science. As an 
undergraduate, Bob was awarded a Minority Urban Education Scholarship 
and completed a Teaching Fellowship in both Urban and Rural School 
Districts on the Island of Puerto Rico. He received a scholarship to 
the prestigious Graduate School of Urban Affairs at Hunter College 
where he completed his Masters of Science Degree.
  During the 1960s, Bob assembled East Harlem residents to fight 
against Mayor Robert F. Wagner, Jr.'s attempts to shut down 
Metropolitan Hospital Center which was an essential medical institution 
in the community. Under Mr. Sancho's successful leadership, the 
hospital remained open and gained enough federal funding to sustain the 
medical center.
  These bonds helped construct three new buildings and renovate the 
existing hospital buildings. In addition, his department has raised 
approximately $15 million during the last several years for various 
hospital programs.
  Even though Bob Sancho has had an extensive professional career, he 
also has a robust list of civic and cultural involvements outside of 
his occupation. He was Assistant to Bronx Borough President Robert 
Adams, and has served on the Board of Trustees for the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus Institute and the Community Service Society of New 
York, as an Advisor for the National Jazz Museum of Harlem, and as a 
Voting Member of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Currently, 
Robert serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Center of 
Educational Innovation/Public Education Association, the Icahn Charter 
Schools, and the Multicultural Committee of the Metropolitan Museum of 
Art.
  Bob Sancho's dedication and commitment to the many facets of 
community development makes him an incredible human being. The 
altruistic quality that Bob embraces is very hard to find in the world 
today. For his noble duty to empower the citizens of New York, I ask 
that my colleagues to join me as we celebrate National Hispanic 
Heritage Month, from September 15th through October 15th, 2016 in 
paying tribute to Mr. Robert ``Bob'' Sancho, an extraordinary man from 
humble beginnings. An American hero, Bob has devoted his life's work to 
improving the quality of life for the people of our beloved El Barrio 
and the Bronx, New York State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and this 
great Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage 
Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, 
cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came 
from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. During 
this year's Hispanic Heritage Month, in addition to paying tribute to 
my friend Robert ``Bob'' Sancho, and as a Korean War Veteran, as I 
conclude my 50 years of Public Service, including 46 years in the 
United States Congress, I also want to pay a very special salute to the 
Puerto Rican men and women men who answered the call to serve during 
WWII, our beloved the 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed ``The 
Borinqueneers''.

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