[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 86 (Friday, May 17, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING BORICUA COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 17, 2024

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Boricua College 
on the special occasion of its 50th aniversary and in appreciation for 
decades of higher education. Boricua College was the first private, 
not-for-profit post-secondary educational institution established in 
the United States specifically designed to meet the academic needs of 
Puerto Ricans and other Spanish-speaking people. Today, it is a diverse 
institution for learning and professional development.
  Boricua College inspired educated and passionate advocates for the 
Puerto Rican Disapora during the 1960's and 70's in New York City. 
Visionaries like Dr. Antonia Pantoja, founder of Universidad Boricua 
and the precursor of Boricua College, founded by Dr. Victor Alicea, 
believed that higher education and cultural pride were crucial to 
addressing poverty and creating economic empowerment. The significant 
migration of Puerto Ricans to New York City warranted a grassroots 
response to navigate the socio-economic opportunities and challenges of 
plantando bandera in a new environment. Thus, Boricua College was 
created and became a beacon of hope for the Latino community in 
Brooklyn.
  Since its founding in 1974, Boricua College has grown from its humble 
beginnings on a single-floor storefront in Williamsburg to a multi-
campus institution spanning Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. The 
first Boricua College class had just 26 students. When it opened its 
doors, it broke all barriers to higher learning with a cadre of Puerto 
Rican bilingual professionals in New York City. Today, Boricua College 
has an enrollment of thousands of students pursuing an Associate, 
Bachelor or Master's degree in the field of Human Services, Business, 
Liberal Arts, Childhood Education and inter-American Studies to list a 
few. It is also a designated Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. 
Department of Education.
  The growth of Boricua College exemplifies the growth of Latinos' 
economic and political empowerment across the country. The college may 
not have millions in endowments, if at all. However, it does have an 
unwavering commitment to educational advancement. By 2060, nearly 1 in 
4 Americans are likely to be Latinos'. Thanks to vital institutions 
like Boricua College, we are making even greater contributions in every 
sector of society--education, politics, business, the arts, and 
sciences.
  This fine institution is as successful as the administration and 
leadership. Therefore, I would also like to salute Founder and 
President Dr. Victor G. Alicea for a lifetime of public service, Board 
of Trustees Chair Benito R. Fernandez, the deans, faculty, staff, and 
graduates. Mr. Speaker, please join us in recognizing Boricua College 
on the occasion of its 50th anniversary and offering our best wishes 
for another 50 years of serving the community.

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