The City University of New York congratulates the Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund and distinguished honorees The City University of New York Academic Excellence Latino Judges Association Inc. Judicial Excellence Stephen Younger, Esq. Patterson Belknap, Webb & Tyler, LLP Law Firm Diversity Tito Puente (posthumous) Community Service Award On the occasion of 59th Scholarship Fund Gala SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 William C. Thompson Jr. James B. Milliken CHAIRPERSON, BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHANCELLOR 1-800-CUNY-YES CUNY.EDU CUNY TV-Channel 75 The City University of New York congratulates the A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund Thank God for the Gift of Life. Bienvenidos and welcome. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the and distinguished honorees Puerto Rican Bar Association 59th Annual Gala. “Expanding our Reach – Ensuring Justice”. Tonight we are grateful to celebrate another wonderful year of the Puerto Rican Bar The City University of New York Association and its accomplishments and to provide scholarships to law Academic Excellence students from the Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund. Congratulations to our law students for their hard work as they prepare to join Latino Judges Association Inc. our profession. Congratulations to our honorees for their accomplishments and outstanding leadership and dedication in advancing justice, promoting Judicial Excellence scholarship and diversity. A special thanks to U.S. Senator Schumer, our keynote speaker who has been instrumental in ensuring that there is diversity in Stephen Younger, Esq. the Federal judiciary and for advocating the rights of Puerto Ricans and Latinos. Special Thanks to our Sponsors who have contributed to our Scholarship Fund to ensure that there is access to legal education Patterson Belknap, Webb & Tyler, LLP for our students. Law Firm Diversity As President of the PRBA, I have had the distinct honor and privilege, with the trust of our members and community, to lift up the PRBA and maintain the legacy of our founders. This past year, the PRBA Tito Puente (posthumous) Community Service Award expanded its reach nationally and internationally by historically collaborating with El Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico (founded in 1840) in its submission of Amici briefs to the United States On the occasion of Supreme Court and in hosting its 4th Annual convention in Puerto Rico. We collaborated with Puerto Rican Bar Associations of Florida and Chicago, Hispanic Bar Associations of other states, and 59th Scholarship Fund Gala throughout New York and Latin America including Cuba, Dominican Republic and Panama. SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 Abrazos Fuertes and special thanks to our incoming President, Carmen A. Pacheco, Esq., whose vision, labor and strength pushed me and the PRBA board to maximize our great potential. I could not have done all of this great work without you, hermana. Thank you to the PRBA board members, officers, William C. Thompson Jr. James B. Milliken family, friends, supporters, mentors, and volunteers who ensured our success. Please stay actively CHAIRPERSON, BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHANCELLOR involved and stay tuned as our incoming President, Carmen A. Pacheco, lifts the PRBA to even greater heights and solidifies the PRBA mission and foundation. As a descendant of “warriors” from the mountains of Ciales, Puerto Rico, I leave you with my beloved mother, Juanita’s messages “With a strong faith in God above you, there is nothing you cannot do”. (Por encima de mi esta Dios, lo que tu quieres hacer en la vida, tu lo puedes hacer)” Thank you very much for your support. 1-800-CUNY-YES CUNY.EDU CUNY TV-Channel 75 Betty Lugo, Esq. President, Puerto Rican Bar Association 2015-2016 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE BOARD President- Betty Lugo, Esq. President Elect- Carmen A. Pacheco, Esq. Vice President- Marissa Soto, Esq. Treasurer- Jim Montes, Esq. Corresponding Secretary- Angelina Adam, Esq. Recording Secretary- Myrna Socorro, Esq. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hon. Luis A. Gonzalez Hon. Wilma Guzman Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Esq. Carlos Perez-Hall, Esq. Carmen Villa-Lugo, Esq. Luis R. Burgos, Jr. Esq. George Santana, Esq. Thomas Oliva, Esq. Wanda Sanchez-Day, Esq. Raquel Miranda, Esq. Jessica Acosta, Esq. A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT-ELECT SEPTEMBER 29, 2016 Dear Members, Colleagues, and Guests: When I assume the position of Puerto Rican Bar Association (“PRBA”) President in 2017, it will mark its diamond year anniversary -- 60. Throughout the decades since its formation, the PRBA has served the public and community through advocacy, mentorship, legal education, leadership, fellowship, and promotion of justice. Hence as you can imagine, to serve as the PRBA 60th president will be an honor and a privilege. In that regard, you are invited to the 60th induction and celebration of the PRBA officers and board of directors to held on January 12, 2017 at the Southern District of New York, 500 Pearl Street, Ceremonial Court Room, New York, NY. As the 60th president, my vision is to strengthen our relationships, build on our foundation, and safeguard our future. Toward that end, the PRBA officers and board of directors will continue to foster its affiliations with local and out of state bar associations, law firms, corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and government officials to further the PRBA mission and strengthen its founders’ legacy. We also intend to increase member benefits and create collaborative law based international relationships to increase member business opportunities. We also intend to grow our social media presence, continue providing continuing legal education, and promote greater Latino representation in the judiciary. Our vision cannot be accomplished without the active participation of our membership. Congratulations to PRBA honorees who have shown leadership by example: Latino Judges Association - Judicial Excellence; Stephen Younger, Esq., Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, Law Firm Diversity; City University of New York - Academic Excellence; and Tito Puente (Posthumous) - Community Service. We are eager to celebrate our honorees as each has shown a commitment to law, justice, society, mentorship, and education. To our scholarship awardees: Denisse Mira; Adriel Colon; Daniel Vizcarrondo; and Samuel Carrion keep making the PRBA proud through your achievements, community commitment, and dedication to the justice system. The PRBA believes that education is the ultimate equalizer; it is the master key to opportunity. With the generosity of our members and sponsors, the PRBA scholarship awards assist in removing some of the financial pressures that may derail interest in obtaining a jurist doctorate degree. To my querida hermana Betty Lugo, Esq., your amazing stewardship as the PRBA 59th President has lifted this association to new heights. You have expanded our reach by signing a collaborative agreement with El Collegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico and by creating tightened collegial relationships with the Florida and Chicago Puerto Rican Bar Associations. Your integrity, magnanimity, and teamwork has energized our membership and the PRBA board of directors and officers. I am thankful that you committed to lead this iconic bar association and blessed that I was able to serve it alongside my best friend. To the 2016 PRBA board, I am so proud to have worked shoulder to shoulder with you. I have made “forever friends” while serving the public and legal community. Respectfully, Carmen A. Pacheco, Esq. Charles Schumer U.S. Senator U.S. Senator Charles “Chuck” Ellis Schumer has dedicated his career to protecting the middle class and helping those working to reach it. Though he has become a leader in finding common sense solutions to national issues, Chuck has built a reputation as a tireless fighter for New York, visiting all 62 counties every year and talking to constituents in every corner of our state. Chuck was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 23, 1950 to parents Selma, a homemaker active in the community, and Abe, who owned a small exterminating business. Chuck grew up the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood and with his siblings, Fran and Robert, attended PS 197 and Madison High School. Chuck has two daughters, Jessica and Alison, and he still resides in Brooklyn with his wife, Iris Weinshall. After graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School in 1974, Chuck returned home and was elected to the New York State Assembly where he soon made his mark with his trademark vigor and tireless advocacy. In 1980, at 29, Chuck ran for and won the seat in the 9th Congressional District. Chuck represented the 9th CD in Brooklyn and Queens for eighteen years, where he established his reputation as a pioneer in the fight against crime and as a consumer advocate. Chuck authored the Omnibus Crime Bill, which put 100,000 new cops on the street. He was the leading sponsor of the Violence Against Women Act, to combat domestic violence and sexual assault, and the Brady Bill, which instituted mandatory background checks for handgun purchases. He co-wrote the Assault Weapons Ban, and sponsored the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which organized data on crimes of bigotry and allowed federal authorities to prosecute these crimes. He also sponsored legislation that required banks and credit card companies to provide greater disclosure to consumers. In 1998, Chuck was elected to the U.S. Senate; he became New York’s senior senator when Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan retired in 2000. Chuck kicked off his first Senate term by announcing he would visit each of New York’s 62 counties every year, a tradition he continues today. Doing so has enabled Chuck to keep in touch with voters from every corner of the state. Throughout his time in the Senate, Chuck has made improving New York’s economy his top priority, bringing affordable air service to Upstate New York and the Hudson Valley and delivering over $20 billion in aid to New York City following the attacks on September 11, 2001. Chuck was the author of legislation that eliminated barriers that delay low-cost generic medications from entering the marketplace and led the charge to make college tuition tax deductible.