[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 173 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1443-E1444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PROCLAMATION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JAIME BENITEZ REXACH

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2018

  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I include in the 
Record the following Proclamation in recognition of the life and legacy 
of Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach:
  Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach was Puerto Rico's leading scholar 
for nearly 70 years, becoming a major influence on Puerto Rican and 
American education as chancellor and then president of the University 
of Puerto Rico;
  Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach made it possible for the University 
of Puerto Rico to become a first-rate institution, serving communities 
across the island, and bringing talent from all over the world to teach 
and learn in Puerto Rico;
  Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach's role in shaping the curriculum at 
the University of Puerto Rico paved the way for his membership on the 
United States' National Commission for the United Nations Educational, 
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 1948 to 1954;
  Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach made a significant contribution to 
the development of Puerto Rico's local government and territorial 
constitution, by chairing the constitutional convention's commission 
that wrote the island's Bill of Rights;
  Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach served as Puerto Rico's 12th 
Resident Commissioner in Congress, representing and providing a voice 
for the territory's American citizens from 1973 to 1977;
  Whereas, as a Member of Congress, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach continued 
his longstanding commitment to improve the island's and the Nation's 
education system by serving on the House Committee on Education and 
Labor;

[[Page E1444]]

  Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach was an outstanding educator, 
patriot, and public servant, whose contributions continue to shape the 
fabric of American society; and
  Whereas, celebrating Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach's legacy contributes to 
the strength and culture of our Nation; now, therefore, I, 
Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, do hereby attest to the 115th 
Congress that Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach is deserving of national and 
congressional recognition.
  Proclaimed, this 23rd day of October, 2018.

                          ____________________