[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 30 (Thursday, February 12, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CATALINO ``TITE'' CURET ALONSO

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                       HON. PABLO JOSE HERNANDEZ

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2026

  Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Catalino ``Tite'' Curet Alonso, one of Puerto Rico's most 
influential cultural figures and one of the most prolific composers in 
the history of Latin music. Today marks the centennial of his birth.
  Born on February 12, 1926, in Guayama, Puerto Rico, Tite Curet Alonso 
rose from modest beginnings to become a defining voice of Puerto Rican 
and Afro-Caribbean identity. Over the course of his career, he composed 
more than 2,000 songs that helped shape the sound, language, and social 
consciousness of Latin music, particularly within the genre of salsa.
  Often referred to as El Poeta del Pueblo, Tite Curet Alonso used his 
lyrics to reflect the lived experiences of working-class communities, 
to confront social injustice, and to affirm the dignity and cultural 
heritage of Afro-Caribbean peoples. His work resonated far beyond 
Puerto Rico, reaching audiences throughout Latin America, the 
Caribbean, and the United States, and leaving a lasting mark on the 
cultural landscape of the hemisphere.
  His compositions were performed by some of the most renowned artists 
in Latin music, including Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Cheo Feliciano, and 
Willie Colon. Through these collaborations, his music became both a 
chronicle of its time and a lasting expression of identity, resilience, 
and pride.
  In addition to his artistic contributions, Tite Curet Alonso was a 
journalist, radio producer, and public servant, dedicating more than 30 
years of service to the United States Postal Service. Throughout his 
lifetime, he received numerous recognitions honoring his contributions 
to music and culture.
  Mr. Speaker, as we observe Black History Month, it is especially 
fitting to recall that through his music, Tite Curet Alonso affirmed 
the beauty, dignity, and humanity of Black people across Puerto Rico, 
the Caribbean, and the African diaspora. In words that continue to 
resonate, he reminded us of ``the pretty faces of my Black people--las 
caras lindas de mi gente negra''--a powerful affirmation of identity 
and pride. It is in that spirit that we honor his legacy today--one 
that continues to enrich the cultural fabric of the United States and 
Puerto Rico.

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