[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13586-13587]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING ISMAEL ``TONY'' TORRES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2013

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a model public 
servant who dedicated his life to the betterment of the Williamsburg 
community in Brooklyn, New York. Ismael ``Tony'' Torres was born in 
Carolinas, Puerto Rico on November 29, 1933, and arrived in New York 
City in 1946.
  Mr. Torres is an extraordinary man who is proud of his heritage and 
has dedicated his life's work to advancing the cause of equal rights, 
community empowerment and civil rights for Puerto Ricans in 
Williamsburg. In 1952, he was arrested for organizing a rally against 
wage theft for six Puerto Rican factory workers in Brooklyn. This was 
the beginning of a long and storied activist career.
  Mr. Torres served in the U.S. Armed Forces from 1954 to 1956 in the 
ARMY 7th Steps To Hell, Company A unit. Upon returning home, he 
continued the fight for justice and fairness and against 
discrimination.
  In 1958 he coordinated the first Puerto Rican parade along Graham 
Avenue. Thanks to his advocacy and work with the former Councilmember, 
Graham Avenue today is known as Avenida Puerto Rico.
  In the 1970s he founded the Williamsburg Federation of Tenants for 
Better Housing. Comprised of local residents and leaders. This 
organization led to the development of two massive affordable housing 
projects in the 1970's and 80's--Caribe Village and Borinquen Plaza 
Housing Development. In 1977, he led and won the fight to create one of 
the oldest senior centers in Williamsburg--the Borinquen Senior Center. 
In addition, he served as the president of the Tenants Association 
where he led the fight to improve the quality of life for public 
housing residents.
  Mr. Torres was also very active in the fight for affordable and 
quality healthcare in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Along with health 
advocates, he organized to improve services for the underserved at 
Greenpoint Hospital. The coalition initiated by Mr. Torres and other 
Latino leaders led to the closure of that facility and its replacement 
with an updated, state-of-the-art health center known today as Woodhull 
Medical Center.
  Today, Mr. Torres continues to be a powerful advocate because people 
trust him. He is

[[Page 13587]]

a community legend and champion for those who too often lack a voice. 
Once again, I pay tribute to Mr. Ismael ``Tony'' Torres, a Puerto Rican 
trailblazer for his people and a renaissance man who made a positive 
impact in housing, civil and workers' rights and local politics. Those 
of us who have the opportunity to observe and experience his example 
consider ourselves fortunate.

                          ____________________