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“CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND COMMEMORATING THE PASSING OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN CARLOS ROMERO BARCELO” mentioning Todd Young was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on page E475 on May 4.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND COMMEMORATING THE PASSING OF FORMER
CONGRESSMAN CARLOS ROMERO BARCELO
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HON. JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON
of puerto rico
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a former member of this House who defined an epoch in Puerto Rican Politics.
On Sunday May 2nd, Carlos Romero Barcelo died, ending an outstanding career in Puerto Rico's political environment, as Mayor of San Juan, Governor, State Senator, and Resident Commissioner, and even after leaving elected office still an active leader in his party and in the cause of Puerto Rican Statehood to his very last days. He was one of the figures that marked indelibly the last 50 years of our political scene.
In his younger years he was part of a group of leaders who saw the need for a vision of the cause of equality of rights for the American citizens of Puerto Rico. He, a Democrat, joined Luis Ferre, a Republican, to refocus the statehood movement towards bringing an answer to the needs of the people for prosperity and security and affirmation of their rights.
In was this group that after many decades of virtual one-party rule in Puerto Rico established a balance of competitive elections, that expanded the use of primaries from local to national; that made it a goal to whenever possible attain equality in the rights and benefits of working families. And above all, to promote the essential step to equality and prosperity: the attainment of Statehood for Puerto Rico.
That quest brought him repeatedly to the halls of this Congress, as a party leader, as a governor, and as a participant in the hearings processes for the Status Bills of 1989 to 1991. Finally, as part of this House from 1993 to 2001 where he stood out in this effort, including his work with Congressman Young on the last Puerto Rico status bill to pass the full House in 1998.
Carlos was characterized for his energetic presence, for never being timid in expressing what he felt or believed, for demanding much of himself and of those who worked with him. His character was fiery, passionate, and inspiring in return strong passion both from supporters and opponents. You could not be neutral about him and he did not want you to be. But he also knew the value of teamwork and of giving an opportunity to those with potential. It was a privilege to know Carlos Romero, to work with him, to have followed and, yes, to have differed from him--if you had solid and respectful arguments, he returned that respect.
Carlos was part of a family who lent many figures to Puerto Rico's politics for over a century, and whose members we now embrace in solidarity in this trying time. It was not always easy and public opinion was often cruel, but that is the price of service.
It is the end of an era, and as we celebrate the achievements of a former member of this House it is also time to reflect and to reaffirm our commitment to the cause he stood for. It is now up to those who follow in his footsteps, to continue the journey towards that cause of equality for all, for which he worked throughout his life.
May the light perpetual shine on Congressman Carlos Romero Barcelo.
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