[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 61 (Monday, April 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING VICTOR M. RIVERA-COLLAZO FOR HIS INDUCTION INTO THE PUERTO 
                           RICO HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2018

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor 
Command Sergeant Major Victor M. Rivera-Collazo (Ret.) on his induction 
into the Puerto Rico Hall of Fame.
  Victor is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of 
his major contributions to both Puerto Rico and the United States as a 
whole. Recipients of this prestigious award must have been born and 
raised in Puerto Rico, served with the United States Armed Forces, 
taken an active role in community service, and positively impacted the 
citizens of Puerto Rico, all while promoting Puerto Rican culture. 
Victor is the first living enlisted member of the Army to receive this 
award.
  Born in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, Victor enlisted in the U.S. Army in 
October of 1977. His 33-year career with the Field Artillery Branch 
included deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Kosovo, as well 
as overseas service in Germany. Victor retired from the 10th Mountain 
Division of Fort Drum in August 2010 and was awarded the Legion of 
Merit in recognition of his exceptional conduct. Additionally, from 
2003 to 2015, Victor served as coach of the All-Army Softball Team, 
leading the team to seven gold medals at the Armed Forces Championship 
Games.
  After retirement, Victor served as the Baseball Chaplain for the 
Syracuse Chiefs and on the coaching staff of the SUNY Canton baseball 
team. Currently the Assistant Head Coach of the SUNY Canton Roos, 
Victor has been extensively involved with the Clemente Foundation, 
supporting Puerto Rico by organizing baseball clinics, comedy shows, 
and reconstruction efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria. In 
particular, Victor worked to plan the inaugural Clemente Cup, which 
brought 10 collegiate baseball teams to compete in Puerto Rico and 
raised over $2 million.
  On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to thank Command 
Sergeant Major Rivera-Collazo for his years of hard work and dedication 
to his community and to his country, and congratulate him on his well-
deserved induction into the Puerto Rico Hall of Fame.

                          ____________________