Serranos to March in Puerto Rican Day Parade, Celebrate its Long Heritage

This Sunday, Congressman José E. Serrano and his son State Senator José M. Serrano, two generations of prominent elected officials of Puerto Rican descent, will march together in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade up Fifth Avenue, celebrating the living legacy of this important cultural institution. 

“The Puerto Rican parade has become an icon, a symbol of the strength and vibrancy of the Puerto Rican community,” said Congressman Serrano.  “But it is more than that.  It is an opportunity for New Yorkers of all backgrounds to come and celebrate the diversity that is the lifeblood of our city.”

“The Parade is a chance for Puerto Ricans of all generations to come together and celebrate all that our community has accomplished,” said Senator Serrano.  “We pay homage to those who came before us, and steel ourselves for the challenges of the future.  But more than anything, we celebrate today.  We are proud to be boricuas, and proud to be New Yorkers.”

The Parade on Sunday is one day after Congressman Serrano honors Parade Grand Marshal for Puerto Rico Luis Rodriguez Mayoral, the legendary Puerto Rican baseball journalist, scout, and businessman.  That ceremony, to be held Saturday at noon at the Congressman’s offices in the
South Bronx
, will be attended by myriad prominent figures of world of baseball. 

“This event does two things: it brings some of the Parade celebrations to the Bronx, where so many Puerto Ricans actually live, and also it helps to underscore how proud we are to have Luis Mayoral participating in the Parade with us this year,” said Congressman Serrano.  “He is a tremendous man who has done so for
Puerto Rico
and for baseball. 

For over thirty years, Mayoral has been a "mover and shaker" who has helped put
Puerto Rico
on the map in the world of baseball who also has helped to bring the excitement of baseball to
Puerto Rico
and the rest of
Latin America
.  He was a Major League Baseball scout, General Manager for two Puerto Rican baseball clubs, a baseball broadcaster for CBS, and also served as a senior executive for two Major League teams, pushing to expand Spanish-language baseball broadcasting and outreach to U.S. Latinos and
Latin America
.  He is a noted author of five books, including a well-received biography of his friend Roberto Clemente.  He served as chief baseball correspondent for El Vocero of
Puerto Rico
for nearly twenty years and has received numerous distinguished honors and awards, including Puerto Rico Sports Commentator of the Year.  This year, he has been selected to serve as Parade Grand Marshal for
Puerto Rico
. 

The Puerto Rican Day Parade has been a community tradition since 1958, and has been growing ever since.  Congressman Serrano served as Parade Grand Marshal in 2002.