[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16269]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 60TH YEAR DIAMOND JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PUERTO 
                   RICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2017

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Puerto 
Rican Bar Association of New York (PRBA) on the occasion of its 60th 
Year Diamond Jubilee Anniversary.
  Founded in 1957, PRBA was created to connect lawyers and judges who 
shared common goals, ideas and concerns relating to the practice of 
law, the courts and the community. PRBA is credited with mentoring and 
helping generations of attorneys develop their careers while staying 
true to its core mission of empowering and giving back to the Puerto 
Rican and Latino communities.
  Through the Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund, the 
Association promotes opportunities for educational and professional 
advancement for underserved young professionals.
  Throughout its rich 60-year history, PRBA has benefited from the 
leadership of some of the brightest and best Board members and 
Presidents. This year's PRBA President, Carmen Pacheco, is an inspiring 
example of what can be accomplished with support and vision. In 1992, 
Carmen and her business partner Betty Lugo, established Pacheco & Lugo, 
the first Hispanic women-owned law firm in New York.
  PRBA's members have ascended to the highest levels of the legal 
community within private practice, non-profit and all levels of 
government including the U.S. Supreme Court by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting this year's extraordinary 
individuals and institutions: Ambassador Mari Carmen Aponte, Elisa D. 
Garcia, Chief Legal Officer, Macy's Inc., Robert L. Haig, Esq. Partner, 
Kelley, Drye & Warren LLP, the CUNY Board of Trustees and the New York 
State Court of Appeals. I also would like to recognize the Mistress of 
Ceremonies, Jeanine Ramirez, Brooklyn's own NY1 News outstanding 
reporter and journalist.

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