Garcá Rivera, Oscar, 1900-1969.

Oscar Garcá Rivera was the first Puerto Rican to be elected to public office in the continental United States. Serving in the New York State Assembly from 1937 to 1940, he represented the 17th Assembly District that included East (Spanish) Harlem and was a member of both the Republican and American Labor Parties. Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico on November 6, 1900, he moved to New York City in 1926. In 1930, Garcá Rivera was among the first graduates of the newly inaugurated St. John's University School of Law. He ran for public office as a Republican in 1937 with the support of a coalition of independent Democrats, leftists, fusionists and labor unions. Successfully attaining office that same year, he was re-elected to successive terms in 1938 and 1939, serving a total of three years in the New York State Assembly. He died in 1969 in his hometown of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

From the description of Papers, 1912-1987 ; bulk: 1930-1940. (New York State Historical Documents). WorldCat record id: 155422781

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