\u201cI was saddened to hear about the passing of Herman Badillo, a trailblazing Puerto Rican leader. Badillo was the first Puerto Rican Congressman and first Boricua to become Bronx Borough President. He served as a Deputy Mayor for New York City and he also ran for mayor. Herman rose as a leader in the 1950\u2019s and 60\u2019s, an era in which he defended a community that was openly branded as \u201ca problem\u201d for this city. He successfully fought to eliminate literacy tests and English-only ballots meant to deny Puerto Ricans and others their right to vote. <\/p>\n
Herman indeed provoked controversy in his later years. But his place in history \u2013 as a leader who dared to throw doors open and run for elected citywide office\u2014 is undeniable and a credit to him and the community he championed. Que descanse en paz.\u201d<\/p>\n
##<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cI was saddened to hear about the passing of Herman Badillo, a trailblazing Puerto Rican leader. Badillo was the first Puerto Rican Congressman and first Boricua to become Bronx Borough President. He served as a Deputy Mayor for New York City and he also ran for mayor. Herman rose as a leader in the 1950\u2019s and 60\u2019s, an era in which he defended a community that was openly branded as \u201ca problem\u201d for this city.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n