Survey Finds Serrano Most Influential Stateside Puerto Rican
Survey Finds Serrano Most Influential Stateside Puerto Rican
Washington, DC - Congressman José E. Serrano is the most politically influential Puerto Rican in the United States outside of Puerto Rico, according to a survey by the Institute for Puerto Rican Policy. Additionally, the vast majority of those surveyed supported Serrano's proposal that Puerto Ricans born on the island but living in the United States be allowed to vote in any plebiscite on Puerto Rico's political status.
"It is a genuine honor to be singled out by the Puerto Rican community as the most influential Puerto Rican person in the United States," Serrano said. "I have always worked to improve the lives of Puerto Ricans both here and on the island and the real reward comes in seeing the progress our community is making. I hope that my accomplishments will be small in comparison to those of leaders to come."
"I am very glad to be able to help lead on issues affecting Puerto Rico's political status. I have always said that I am in favor of any option that does not continue the current colonial status. I have also always thought that the people who moved from the island should have a voice in any final status arrangements, and it's very heartening to see that so many of my fellow U.S.-residing Boricuas agree."
Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico on October 24, 1943, Serrano moved to the Bronx with his family when he was a young boy. He grew up in Millbrook Houses in Mott Haven and attended local public schools. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1974. After 16 years in the State Assembly, Serrano won a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives in March 1990. He has continued to represent the Bronx from its Sixteenth Congressional District since then. Serrano is now the most senior Member of Congress of Puerto Rican descent and the longest-serving elected official in the history of The Bronx.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny16_serrano/060418PRinfluence.html