[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5928]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO ROBERT RODRIGUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Robert Rodriguez who is 
being honored at the Brooklyn Caribe Lions Club dinner dance as 
``Mortgage Broker of the Year.''
  Robert is a successful mortgage broker who was born in Ponce, Puerto 
Rico. His father, Higinio Rodriguez, was working for the Brooklyn Navy 
Yard many years ago when he sent for his wife, Rafaela Santos-Rodriguez 
and family, including a very young Robert who was three years old.
  Robert attended Brooklyn College, majored in psychology and later 
obtained his real estate mortgage and insurance broker's licenses. He 
also served in the U.S. Marine Corps and received an Honorable 
Discharge.
  Among many enterprises, he opened up Sunset Park Real Estate in 1980. 
It became a very successful and inspirational real estate firm in an up 
and coming neighborhood. In 1987, he became a founding member and 
President of the Fifth Avenue Merchants Association in 1987. Later, he 
was instrumental in converting that association to The Business 
Improvement District of Sunset Park. During this period, he became (and 
continues to be) a member of The Bay Ridge Board of Realtor and a 
member of the New York Association of Mortgage Brokers. Presently, he 
is President and sole owner of Dinero Mortgage & Funding Corp. located 
in Sunset Park. By helping people obtain a mortgage, Robert has 
personally helped many minorities in accomplishing their dreams of 
obtaining a home for themselves and their loved ones.
  Robert is married to Julie Cardinale Rodriguez, a Loan Officer for 
Countrywide Mortgage. He has three children, Lisa, Robert Jr. and 
Shelly along with seven grandchildren. Robert is a wonderful example of 
how hard work and perseverance can lead to success. May this award 
inspire and encourage him to continue the important work he has already 
begun.
  Mr. Speaker, Robert Rodriguez has been a leader in his community by 
building a successful business and helping his fellow community members 
realize their dream of homeownership. As such, he is more than worthy 
of receiving our recognition today and the award of Mortgage Broker of 
the Year. Thus, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly 
remarkable person.

                          ____________________