Senator Harry Reid: “I don’t know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican.”

Rubén Estrada- President, Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Orange County NY –President, LULAC Council-Hudson Valley Latinos responds:

“I don’t know… how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican.” I am appalled and insulted with such a question from the US Senate Leader Harry Reid. I can only attribute the question as a sign of desperation! He realizes that Hispanic Americans are a significant major electorate who are no longer guaranteed to the Democratic party, and are not only Republicans, but Conservatives, and yes, Tea Party members. This, again, is a continued effort to use race in polarizing Americans. He as well as many others Democrats, continue to ask how, and why, a Puerto Rican or Hispanic can be a Republican. These are the same Liberal Democrats who have always spewed their rhetoric – that they are advocates of equality, women and inclusive of all. Except, that is, if you are a pro life conservative thinking female, Latino – or other free thinking person with values other then the progressive liberal. These free thinking people need not apply at the Democratic Party.

We Republicans must take pride in being the party with demonstrated leadership in diversity by our past policies, sensitivities and major Latino appointments. Let us not forget the many Latinos appointed by Republican Presidential administrations in my time, dating back to President Nixon. As Hispanic Republicans we must see the question posed by Senator Reid as a call to action. The timing is such that we, as a party, cannot allow Democrats to develop any reasons of perceived conflicts with our Hispanic community, and, we should embrace the Hispanic electorate.

It is not us to be seen as haters, or exclusive. Now, more than ever, I truly believe the party leadership, with its interest of inclusion of the Hispanic community, must regroup with the main objective of maintaining our position – as the party of Hispanic’s. We must advocate for the alternative, downplay the hate spewed by the Democrats, and conduct an aggressive inclusion initiative to identify, support qualified Hispanic candidates. This can only be achieved by toning down the attacks, and galvanizing the historically loyal Hispanic Republicans for a positive unified approach.

Now allow me to answer the question with my experiences. For my entire teenage and adult life I have had to answer such a question as this one by Reid.

I will answer the question of why be a Republican. I begin by sharing some important history. I began my journey as a Republican at the age of 14, during 1967 civil rights era. Although not of age to vote, I realized then that my mind was made up. At age14, in East Harlem (El Barrio), I was fortunate to have been raised by my parents, both Puerto Rican who instilled life’s rules and values which today are interpreted and defined as very conservative ! I see them, as just values!

Like every 14 year old Puerto Rican in Spanish Harlem (El Barrio) I was playing stickball, stoopball and other sidewalk games to pass the time. One day I was ask by my mother and sent on an errand to the La Marquetta located on 111th St and Park Avenue. It was an open food market which spanned several blocks under the metro north railroad. While I walked to the market I observed many people, actually a large crowd on 110th Lexington Avenue. I immediately thought this was another crime scene or an emergency response, and so I continued on my way. Yet, with my curiosity of youth, and a natural instinct of community involvement, my focus shifted – and I decided to see what the commotion was about.

To my surprise it was a political rally, not just a political rally but a major political rally. Moreover, on the mobile flat bed truck I recognized NYS Governor Nelson Rockefeller. I decided to stay and listen for a while. Once on the stage, Governor Rockefeller began to roll up his sleeves of his white shirt; later I learned a signature move. To my astonishment he began to address me and a very large crowd in my first language – Spanish. The language was spoken fluently and made me feel welcomed! His message personalized! I was totally impressed. Additionally, while listening to him in Spanish, I observed that on stage and close to him were four people that looked like me, all high ranking Latinos of his administration.

That was when I realized I was bitten politically.

I was so impressed I had to find out who were those guys. I later inquired and put names to the persons on stage; they were Mr. Angel Rivera, Mr. Manuel Gonzalez, Carlos Rios and Edward Mercado all members of the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Young Republicans of New York State. Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed more Latinos and Minorities to his administration than any other NYS Governor since. Moreover I befriended the group of Hispanic Republican leaders and they took me under their tutelage, and mentoring me. In 1970 they sponsored me to the Teenage Republican School (TAR), Siena College. The subsequent two years I attended TAR School and in 1972, at age 19, was nominated and attended my first convention – as a floor Convention Delegate Page. This was at the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach Fl. Immediately thereafter I became a staff member of the Committee to Re-Elect President Nixon.

Below I must share some relevant history of my personal hero and role model, Oscar Garcia Rivera- Republican. Oscar Garcia Rivera- Republican Oscar Garcia Rivera served in the New York State Assembly from 1937 to 1940. Oscar Garcia Rivera, the first Puerto Rican to be elected New York State Assemblyman and first to elective office in the continental United State. Moreover, he was a Republican. His election was a milestone since he was able to unseat a 24-year Tammany Hall incumbent Democrat. Personally, Mr. Garcia has played an important role for me and has been a true inspiration as a role model in my political life. As a young Republican growing up in East Harlem (El Barrio) it was very lonely as it must also have been for Oscar Garcia Rivera. As an out spoken and active Republican I experienced much difficulty since my party affiliation was not embraced, accepted and was outright dangerous. For many years I felt that the Republican Party, and that which it represented was truly reflective of my personal thoughts, values and those of my community. Understanding the great obstacles and adversities of which Mr. Oscar Garcia Rivera must had endured made my situation a bit more tolerable and yet more persistent.

The rest of my personal life as a Conservative Republican is history! Then as a young man, and as it is today, I believe the Republican Party is the true Party of inclusion, reform, prosperity and peace.

Ruben Estrada, President Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Orange County N.YP.O. Box 2192, Monroe N.Y 10950Tel : 845.537.1307Email : rnhaoc@optonline.netNY State Vice Chairman-RNHAwww.RNHAOC.orghttp://www.facebook.com/RNHAOC

RUBEN ESTRADA- POLITICAL/ CIVIC 2008- Delegate – John McCain – Republican National Convention – Minneapolis St Paul, Minnesota 2007- Present – Vice Chairman, New York State – Republican National Hispanic Assembly-State Chapter2004- Present – Board Member- SUNY Orange County Community College Foundation 2003- Present – Board Chairman, Newburgh Boxing Club 2003- Former 2007 – Board Member- United Way of Orange County, N.Y 2003- Present – Hispanic Community Liaison, Orange & Ulster Counties – NYS Senator William Larkin 2002 – Commissioner – Orange County Human Rights Commission 2002- Present – President, Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Orange County, NY 2002- Present – Executive Committee Member- Orange County Republican Committee 1999 – Board- Member Herbert Lehman College Board Member (PAC) –Member- Bronx NY 1997 – Founder, Madison Avenue Initiative – Minority media Owners /focus on inequalities in Advertising. 1996 – Recipient – National Puerto Rican Day Parade (Award) – The Dr. Ramon Emiterio Betances 1995 – State University of New York – Fuerza Latina- Leadership Award Recipient 1994 – Awarded, Bronx County- RNHA– “Recognition Outstanding Coalition Building” Award 1994 – Recd-New York State Senate (Legislative Resolution Senate No. 3869) – Legislation passed 1994 – Recd New York State Assembly (Legislative Resolution Assembly No. 2683) – Legislation passed1994 – Awarded, New York State RNHA–“In recognition of your Dedication and Outstanding Leadership” 1993 – Founder / First Hispanic-Asian Republican Conference- One World One Vision Albany, NY 1993 – Special Assistant to Chairman William Powers, New York Republican State Committee 1993 – Director, Office of Coalition Building – NY Republican State Committee 1993 – Director, Victory 93’, Field Operations and Ballot Security Hispanic Field OP– Giuliani for Mayor, NYC1992 – Founder/ Organizer, Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) Dutchess County Chapter NY1992 – Founder/ Organizer, Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) Orange County Chapter, N.Y.1991 – Founder/ Organizer, Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) Suffolk County Chapter NY1987 – Elected New York Republican State Committee 1987 – Founder/ Organizer, Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) Albany, Capitol District NY1986 – National Conference of Black Mayors, Atlantic City, New Jersey – Consultant 1980 – Founder, Eisenhower/Ferrer Republican Club, New York City 1978 – Elected Republican District Leader, 72 Assembly District 1976 – Republican Candidate, New York State Assembly 72 Assembly District 1976 – Participant – Presidential Motorcade – Air force One -President Gerald Ford, NYC 1976 – Assistant Chief Page–Republican National Convention, Kansas City 1974 – Founder – Republican National Hispanic Assembly/ National –Crystal City VA 1972 – Staff- Committee to Re-Elect the President / Nixon 1972 – President-Puerto Rican Hispanic Young Republicans of New York State 1972 – Page-Republican National Convention, Miami Beach, FL 1970 Teenage Republican School (TAR School), Siena College, Albany, New York