[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17119]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF RUBEN RAMOS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 22, 2007

  Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker. I rise to honor Hoboken City Councilman-at-
Large Ruben Ramos, Jr. during Hoboken Cultural Week 2007. Ramos, Jr., 
who was born and raised in Hoboken, is the first Puerto Rican from, 
Hoboken to be nominated to the New Jersey State Assembly.
  At age 25, Ramos, Jr. became the youngest councilman to be elected in 
the City of Hoboken in 1999, representing the 4th Ward. That same year, 
Ramos, Jr. was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. A proven fighter, 
Ramos, Jr. underwent rigorous chemotherapy treatment and was declared 
cancer free a year later, going on to become one of the most 
outstanding Hoboken citizens of Puerto Rican heritage.
  Two years later, in 2001, Ramos, Jr. ran successfully for Councilman-
at-Large, and became the youngest City Council President in the history 
of Hoboken. He was re-elected to the City Council in 2005.
  During his 8 years serving on the Hoboken City Council, Ruben Ramos, 
Jr. has been able to work effectively with its members to bring 
effective development to the city and the waterfront. Ramos, Jr. took 
action to create more open space while expanding much needed 
residential parking spaces. Councilman Ramos, Jr. also helped clean up 
the Housing Authority and created the town's summer employment for 
teenagers program in city departments.
  In the national arena, Ramos, Jr. was selected by Al Gore's 2000 
election committee to serve on the Platform Committee of the Democratic 
National Convention in Los Angeles, where he delivered a stirring 
keynote speech. Ramos, Jr. was also chosen by the Democratic National 
Committee to serve on their credentials committee during the 
presidential campaign.
  Councilman Ruben Ramos, Jr. is a graduate of Farleigh Dickinson 
University and has taught Social Studies to sixth, seventh and eighth-
grade students for the last 10 years. Aware of their needs and hoping 
to shape the lives of young residents in the area, Ramos, Jr. has 
volunteered with the Hoboken Boy's and Girl's Club.
  Please join me in honoring Ruben Ramos, Jr. during Hoboken Cultural 
Week and congratulating his wife Norma, his two beautiful daughters, 
and the Puerto Rican family members who helped shape the outstanding 
life of this young elected official that has become a role model for 
his fellow citizens.

                          ____________________