On the recordJune 15, 2015
As a Virgin Islander living next door to Puerto Rico and as a former assistant district attorney in Bronx County, where Mr. Badillo lived, it gives me great pleasure to join my colleagues in supporting H.R. 1350, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 442 East 167th Street in Bronx, New York, as the Herman Badillo Post Office Building. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on August 21, 1929, Mr. Badillo went on to become America's first Puerto Rican-born Congressman and a prominent figure in New York City politics. The only son of Francisco and Carmen Rivera Badillo, he suffered the loss of both his parents by his fifth birthday. He was taken in by relatives, and at the age of 11, without knowing English, moved to East Harlem, New York. He learned English and excelled in school, working his way through college and law school as a dishwasher, bowling pinsetter, and accountant. After graduating with high honors from City College in 1951, Herman went on to become valedictorian of his Brooklyn Law School class in 1954. Herman Badillo practiced law in New York and won election as Bronx Borough president in 1965. He ran for Congress and won in 1970. While Mr. Badillo was considered a Democrat during his 7 years in this Chamber, he did not view himself as bound by party loyalties. Mr.…
