Historical Photo of the day: Herman Badillo

Herman Badillo was the first Puerto Rican US congressman (1970-78).

A fixture in New York politics for over forty years, he was also the first Puerto Rican Borough President, Deputy Mayor, City Commissioner, and CUNY Board Chair. At one point Badillo jokingly stated, “I was the first Puerto Rican everything.”

Badillo was always a fighter. He arrived as an orphan from Caguas at age 11, and was raised by his aunt. He worked full-time as a dishwasher, bowling pinsetter and accountant, and attended Brooklyn Law School at night…where he graduated first in his class, at age 24.

Badillo was also a fierce campaigner. He ran city marathons to stay in fighting trim, and he had a homespun secret. Whenever he campaigned in Puerto Rican neighborhoods, he introduced himself as “Herman Badillo,” using the castilian form of his last name (Ba-DEE-yoh). In Italian neighborhoods, his name became Herman Badilio (Ba-DIH-li-oh).

In Jewish neighborhoods he was just Herman.

5 Comments on “Historical Photo of the day: Herman Badillo”

Nydia
October 3, 2015

I was graduating 8th grade when he came to speak … to us, he was like a President 🙂

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PRISCILLA ZAYAS
October 3, 2015

HONOR WERE HONOR IS DUE!! Very proud to be part of his life as family member. We always adimired him for his humbleness, intelligence, disposition and fighting spirt! A great role model for all of us, Puerto Ricans. “ORGULLO BORICUA” !!

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Roberto Solano
October 1, 2015

I had the honor to have lunch with Herman when he came to Passaic, NJ to help a latina who was running for mayor. I’m 76 years old and that was 45 years ago but it seem like yesterday.

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Sergio Torres
October 1, 2015

Badillo was a great person for Puerto Ricans in NYC. I remember well as a young man. I was proud to see him on TV.

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Dr. Rex
October 1, 2015

Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
“Herman Badillo was the first Puerto Rican US congressman (1970-78).” ….. honor were honor is due!!

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