[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12858]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO MR. RAFAEL ANGEL RIVERA COLLAZO

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                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2008

  Mr. SERRANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Rafael Angel 
Rivera Collazo for his contributions to photojournalism.
  Mr. Rivera, a native of Puerto Rico, displayed a passion for 
photography early in life. Coming from a humble background, Mr. Rivera 
sold newspapers during high school and cleaned shoes to help support 
his family. It was during this time that Mr. Rivera met Mr. Millo 
Seijo, a well-known photographer, and his son, Mr. Bey Seijo. These 
individuals introduced Mr. Rivera to the world of photography. Soon 
after, local newspapers such as ``El Mundo'' and ``El Imparcial'' 
published Mr. Rivera's first photographs as a collaborator.
  Mr. Rivera's increasing involvement in photography was temporarily 
halted when he voluntarily joined the United States Army in 1966. He 
was eventually sent to Vietnam in 1967, where he served with 
distinction in the Ninth Infantry Division, and earned various 
recognitions, including two Purple Hearts.
  Well respected among his peers, Mr. Rivera has displayed as much 
valor and courage in photojournalism as he once did in combat. His 1980 
photograph capturing a store owner and an assailant under fire earned 
him the widely acclaimed international award for photography from the 
Agencia E.F.E. of Spain, becoming the first Puerto Rican to do so. This 
award was presented to Mr. Rivera by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia 
of Spain. His photograph was also shown at the ``Expo 92'' in Seville.
  Mr. Rivera's latest photographic accomplishment is ``Motin en el 
Capitolio,'' where he captures commotion in the Rotunda of the Puerto 
Rican Capitol. Mr. Rivera won an award from the Photojournalist 
Association of Puerto Rico for this photograph.
  He has also received numerous awards from other organizations; such 
as the Madin Rodriguez Award sponsored by he Puerto Rican House of 
Representatives and the Cultural Institute of Puerto Rico; and 
recognitions from the Puerto Rican Senate, the Rotary Club and the 
Lions Club. In 2006, he was selected by the Governor of Puerto Rico's 
Office of Veteran Affairs as one of the most accomplished and 
outstanding Puerto Rican veterans.
  Mr. Rivera has also been actively involved with the community I 
represent in Congress. He has served as ambassador to the Bronx Puerto 
Rican Parade and provided press coverage to the Puerto Rican Day Parade 
in New York City for the past 18 years. His vivid photographs bring our 
communities together by capturing the rich Puerto Rican culture in New 
York.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to honor Mr. 
Rivera, who currently resides in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. His service to 
our Nation is commendable. His contribution to photojournalism is 
invaluable. Mr. Rafael Angel Rivera epitomizes professional excellence 
and is an inspiration to us all.

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