PEP, December 2008: DC 37 celebrates Puerto Rican Heritage

By ALFREDO ALVARADO

DC 37’s celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Week from Nov. 17-21 marked a historic milestone, the 25th anniversary of the union’s original observance of the week.

Longtime activist and Bronx Assembly member José Rivera was the keynoter at the Nov. 21 finale, where other speakers and performers included Americo Casiano, one of the original Nuyorican Poets, the Bombayo Ensemble and Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez, a founding member of the Puerto Rican Heritage Committee.

Participants kicked off the celebration by singing “La Borinqueña,” the Puerto Rican national anthem. After a moment of silence to honor the memories of committee members who have passed away, Committee Chair Santos Crespo, executive vice president of Local 372, acknowledged the members who helped organize the committee in its early days.

“People like Victor Guadalupe, José Sierra and Luis Ithier worked hard along the way to make this evening possible,” he said. Crespo also praised the efforts of members and activists who volunteered in Barack Obama’s successful presidential campaign.

During his speech, Rivera reminisced about the many battles he was involved in on behalf of the Puerto Rican community and all working-class New Yorkers. In 1975, Rivera helped establish United Tremont Trades in the Bronx. “We won a set-aside of 12 percent of the jobs for Black and Latino construction workers,” he recalled.

Rivera was also on the front line in the battle to save Hostos Community College in the South Bronx, which the city wanted to close during the mid-1970s fiscal crisis. “We were not going to let the city close down this vital institution in our community,” said Rivera.

Crespo and Committee Vice Chair Carmen Flores of Local 1549 joined to acknowledge the contributions of labor and community activist Antonia Marte. “It’s a real honor to be recognized by the committee,” said the Local 420 member, “especially at this 25th anniversary celebration.”