[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 188 (Tuesday, October 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE PUERTO RICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK

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                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 26, 2021

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Puerto 
Rican Bar Association of New York (PRBA) on the occasion of its 64th 
Annual Scholarship Fund, Inc. gala.
  Founded in 1957, PRBA was created to connect lawyers and judges who 
shared common goals, ideas and concerns relating to the practice of 
law, the courts, and the community. PRBA has successfully mentored and 
helped generations of attorneys develop their careers in line with 
their core mission of empowering and giving back to the Puerto Rican 
and Latino communities.
  With the Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund, the 
Association promotes opportunities for educational and professional 
advancement for underserved young professionals. Throughout its storied 
60-year history, PRBA has benefited from the leadership of fantastic 
board members and presidents. This year's PRBA President, Steven M. 
Cordero is an esteemed attorney and recipient of the Sanctuary for 
Families 2016 Above & Beyond Pro Bono Award. PRBA's members have 
ascended to the highest levels of the legal community within private 
practice, non-profit and all levels of government including the U.S. 
Supreme Court by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in saluting this year's extraordinary 
honorees: Judge George J. Silver, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for 
the New York City Courts, Judiciary Excellence Award; Juan Cartagena, 
Esq., outgoing President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF, 
for Public Service Award; Christopher L. Garcia, Esq., Partner, Co-
Chair of Global White Collar Defense, Regulatory and Investigations 
Practice and Co-Chair Diversity Committee at Weil, Gotshal & Manges 
LLP, for Attorney of the Year Award; and Judge Ruben A. Martino, 
posthumously, Supervising Judge of Bronx Family Court, for Champion of 
Justice Award, presented to Joyce Martino.

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