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Alejandro Cruz (politician)

Alejandro "Junior" Cruz Ortiz (January 6, 1938 – March 17, 1993) was a Puerto Rican political leader, teacher, and coach of Puerto Rico's National Women Softball team. He was mayor of the city of Guaynabo during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Alejandro "Junior" Cruz
Mayor of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
In office
1980–1993
Preceded byEbenezer Rivera
Succeeded byHéctor O'Neill
Member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives from the 40th District
In office
January 2, 1976 – January 2, 1980
Preceded byErnesto Cabrera Alejandro
Succeeded bySalomón Rondón Tollens
Personal details
BornJanuary 6, 1938
Toa Alta, Puerto Rico
DiedMarch 17, 1993
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Political partyNew Progressive Party (PNP)
Spouse(s)Viveca Bosch Ramírez; Rosa L. Cosme Amador (1960-1984 divorced)
ChildrenIvette Yolanda Cruz Cosme, Alex Manuel Cruz Cosme, Alexander Cruz Cosme, Juan Carlos Cruz Cosme(deceased), Alejandra Paola Cruz Bosch, Claudia Cruz Bosch
Alma materUniversity of Puerto Rico, 1959
ProfessionEducator (Margarita Janer Palacios High School-1960-1973), Politician, Athlete, Author

Biography

Alejandro Cruz made his mark in sports as well as politics in Puerto Rico. He served as mayor of the City of Guaynabo for three 4-year terms from 1980 to 1993. In addition to being a mayor, he was president of the Municipal Federation of Mayors, second vice-president of the New Progressive Party, vice president of the local Republican party chapter, and president of Puerto Rico Softball Federation.

Cruz was born in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. His father was Alejandro Cruz Perez and his mother was Marta Ortiz. At the age of one, his family moved to the Barrio Santa Rosa III in Guaynabo. In 1955, he enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico. He was undecided between a degree as a physical education teacher or a law career. but his love for sports won him over. After graduation in 1958, he started his teaching career in the town of Corozal. In the 1960s, he transferred to the town of Guaynabo and began teaching at Margarita Janer Palacios High School. He taught until 1973. During this time, he also coached the baseball teams of the towns of Fajardo, Humacao, Rio Piedras, and Guaynabo. In 1967, he was elected state president of the Association of Physical Education and Health teachers.

During an interview, Cruz told El Nuevo Dia reporter Pepo Garcia in 1983, "It was a hard job. Physical education teachers always have been subestimated. Tearing down walls was hard and going to the legislature looking for change did not accomplish anything. Teachers' status continues to be the same..."

Since childhood, Cruz was passionate about sports, particularly athletism, volleyball, baseball and softball. His leader mentality moved him to favor coaching, instead of playing. In 1967, while still a teacher, he was elected President of the State Association of Physical Education Teachers. Later, he became one of Puerto Rico's most famous women's softball coaches. A year after putting together his first female softball team in 1973, he won a silver medal at the Central American Games in the Dominican Republic. Throughout his career as a coach, his softball team won five silver medals and one gold medal in international competitions, including the Panamerican Games, Central American Games. Cruz is the author of Softbol de Alto Nivel, a book about the fundamentals of strategy, exercises, and rules of the game of softball. He became president of the Puerto Rican Softball Federation during much of his period as mayor of Guaynabo. But, Cruz's love for sports touched more than buildings and parks. He was, perhaps, best known for his devotion to the game and its athletes. From cockfighting to volleyball, Cruz was a tireless promoter of Puerto Rican sports.

An achievement filled-life combined his love for sports with his desire to impulse Puerto Rico, and in particular, his town of Guaynabo, to economic development. It was not by choice, but to make a point, that Cruz decided to join the New Progressive Party (Partido Nuevo Progresista, in Spanish). In 1972, Cruz, then a physical education teacher, went to the Guaynabo City Hall to ask the town's mayor for a donation to buy running shoes for his track and field students who were competing in a regional event. The mayor denied the request and told him to let the students "continue to run barefoot". That disappointment led him to join politics as a way to make a change in sports. Cruz was often heard saying, "it was sports that led me to politics so I could help sports from a different platform."

Cruz was an advocate of statehood for the island. His first incursion into politics for the New Progressive Party as a member of Guaynabo's city council representing the Barrio Santa Rosa III in 1972. He later became president of the Guaynabo City Council from 1972-1976. In 1976, Cruz was elected to the House of Representatives for District 40; where he presided over the Commission for Sports and Recreation. In 1979, Cruz was elected as mayor of the City of Guaynabo, a position he held until his death in 1993. From that day on, he began the job of transforming the town into a city. An interesting fact is that in all the political elections in which Cruz participated, he received more votes than the candidates to Governor of Puerto Rico, regardless of the political party, and had support from constituents from all the political parties on the island. [El Nuevo Dia, Pepo Garcia 1993]. Cruz fought to increase the powers and autonomy of the island's mayors and joined the PDP-controlled Mayors Association to push for bipartisan municipal reforms.

During his tenure as mayor, the City of Guaynabo entered a period of economic progress, alongside other cities of Puerto Rico's so-called "metropolitan area", such as Bayamon. Like his colleague Ramon Luis Rivera, Cruz became endorsed by voters of Puerto Rico's three leading parties. As Mayor of Guaynabo, Cruz placed emphasis on the city's sports programs and elderly care, and, in 1983, the Mets Pavilion (named after the city's BSN basketball team; later renamed Mario Morales coliseum) opened. The new medical center, built at a cost of $24 million, opened its doors, along with parks for special needs children and recreational areas for families. Cruz secured federal funds to build new private and public housing developments to mitigate the need for housing in Guaynabo. Criminal delinquency during his tenure was among the lowest in Guaynabo's history, arguably, he said, because "I am attacking delinquency with sports." At the time of his leadership in 1984, there were 24 baseball parks in the town and 60 basketball courts. He allocated a budget of $300,000 for the development of parks and recreation in all the barrios in Guaynabo, and contracted coaches to teach the different skills to youth in low-income areas.

In 1989, Cruz became a founding member of a group aimed at uniting mayors of all parties in Puerto Rico, alongside Caguas mayor Angel O. Berrios, himself a member of the PPD party (PNP's main rival) and two other mayors.

Because of his work on behalf of health, the elderly, youth, and sports, in 1985 President Ronald Reagan awarded him the Private Sector Initiative Commendation in Recognition of Exemplary Community Service. At the time, only one other Puerto Rican had been the recipient of this honor, baseball star and humanitarian, Roberto Clemente. Although not ready to retire, at the time of his death, Cruz was already contemplating the idea of making room for younger leadership. "I am in politics for a short time and in sports for life," he said.

The day after his death, his photo appeared on the covers of all major newspapers in Puerto Rico, including El Nuevo Dia and El Vocero. and The San Juan Star. Former President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush extended condolences. U.S. Transportation Secretary Andrew Card said that Cruz was "not only committed to the people of Guaynabo but also more significantly, was deeply committed to Puerto Rico and its relationship with the United States." [The San Juan Star, Robert Friedman, March 19, 1993].

Alejandro Cruz was elected to the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame in 1993. He is one of ten Puerto Ricans, including Jorge Tanco, Juan Pachot and Ivelisse Echevarria, to be inducted at that sports museum. He also was honored after his death with the naming of a high school, in Guaynabo. He is buried at Cementerio Nuevo Barrio Los Frailes in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

See also

External links

House of Representatives of Puerto Rico
Preceded by
Ernesto Cabrera Alejandro
Member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives
from the 40th District

1976-1980
Succeeded by
Salomón Rondón Tollens
Political offices
Preceded by
Ebenezer Rivera
Mayor of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
1980-1993
Succeeded by
  • Puerto Rico Herald.org

alejandro, cruz, politician, alejandro, junior, cruz, ortiz, january, 1938, march, 1993, puerto, rican, political, leader, teacher, coach, puerto, rico, national, women, softball, team, mayor, city, guaynabo, during, 1980s, early, 1990s, alejandro, junior, cru. Alejandro Junior Cruz Ortiz January 6 1938 March 17 1993 was a Puerto Rican political leader teacher and coach of Puerto Rico s National Women Softball team He was mayor of the city of Guaynabo during the 1980s and early 1990s Alejandro Junior CruzMayor of Guaynabo Puerto RicoIn office 1980 1993Preceded byEbenezer RiveraSucceeded byHector O NeillMember of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives from the 40th DistrictIn office January 2 1976 January 2 1980Preceded byErnesto Cabrera AlejandroSucceeded bySalomon Rondon TollensPersonal detailsBornJanuary 6 1938Toa Alta Puerto RicoDiedMarch 17 1993Guaynabo Puerto RicoPolitical partyNew Progressive Party PNP Spouse s Viveca Bosch Ramirez Rosa L Cosme Amador 1960 1984 divorced ChildrenIvette Yolanda Cruz Cosme Alex Manuel Cruz Cosme Alexander Cruz Cosme Juan Carlos Cruz Cosme deceased Alejandra Paola Cruz Bosch Claudia Cruz BoschAlma materUniversity of Puerto Rico 1959ProfessionEducator Margarita Janer Palacios High School 1960 1973 Politician Athlete AuthorBiography EditAlejandro Cruz made his mark in sports as well as politics in Puerto Rico He served as mayor of the City of Guaynabo for three 4 year terms from 1980 to 1993 In addition to being a mayor he was president of the Municipal Federation of Mayors second vice president of the New Progressive Party vice president of the local Republican party chapter and president of Puerto Rico Softball Federation Cruz was born in Toa Alta Puerto Rico His father was Alejandro Cruz Perez and his mother was Marta Ortiz At the age of one his family moved to the Barrio Santa Rosa III in Guaynabo In 1955 he enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico He was undecided between a degree as a physical education teacher or a law career but his love for sports won him over After graduation in 1958 he started his teaching career in the town of Corozal In the 1960s he transferred to the town of Guaynabo and began teaching at Margarita Janer Palacios High School He taught until 1973 During this time he also coached the baseball teams of the towns of Fajardo Humacao Rio Piedras and Guaynabo In 1967 he was elected state president of the Association of Physical Education and Health teachers During an interview Cruz told El Nuevo Dia reporter Pepo Garcia in 1983 It was a hard job Physical education teachers always have been subestimated Tearing down walls was hard and going to the legislature looking for change did not accomplish anything Teachers status continues to be the same Since childhood Cruz was passionate about sports particularly athletism volleyball baseball and softball His leader mentality moved him to favor coaching instead of playing In 1967 while still a teacher he was elected President of the State Association of Physical Education Teachers Later he became one of Puerto Rico s most famous women s softball coaches A year after putting together his first female softball team in 1973 he won a silver medal at the Central American Games in the Dominican Republic Throughout his career as a coach his softball team won five silver medals and one gold medal in international competitions including the Panamerican Games Central American Games Cruz is the author of Softbol de Alto Nivel a book about the fundamentals of strategy exercises and rules of the game of softball He became president of the Puerto Rican Softball Federation during much of his period as mayor of Guaynabo But Cruz s love for sports touched more than buildings and parks He was perhaps best known for his devotion to the game and its athletes From cockfighting to volleyball Cruz was a tireless promoter of Puerto Rican sports An achievement filled life combined his love for sports with his desire to impulse Puerto Rico and in particular his town of Guaynabo to economic development It was not by choice but to make a point that Cruz decided to join the New Progressive Party Partido Nuevo Progresista in Spanish In 1972 Cruz then a physical education teacher went to the Guaynabo City Hall to ask the town s mayor for a donation to buy running shoes for his track and field students who were competing in a regional event The mayor denied the request and told him to let the students continue to run barefoot That disappointment led him to join politics as a way to make a change in sports Cruz was often heard saying it was sports that led me to politics so I could help sports from a different platform Cruz was an advocate of statehood for the island His first incursion into politics for the New Progressive Party as a member of Guaynabo s city council representing the Barrio Santa Rosa III in 1972 He later became president of the Guaynabo City Council from 1972 1976 In 1976 Cruz was elected to the House of Representatives for District 40 where he presided over the Commission for Sports and Recreation In 1979 Cruz was elected as mayor of the City of Guaynabo a position he held until his death in 1993 From that day on he began the job of transforming the town into a city An interesting fact is that in all the political elections in which Cruz participated he received more votes than the candidates to Governor of Puerto Rico regardless of the political party and had support from constituents from all the political parties on the island El Nuevo Dia Pepo Garcia 1993 Cruz fought to increase the powers and autonomy of the island s mayors and joined the PDP controlled Mayors Association to push for bipartisan municipal reforms During his tenure as mayor the City of Guaynabo entered a period of economic progress alongside other cities of Puerto Rico s so called metropolitan area such as Bayamon Like his colleague Ramon Luis Rivera Cruz became endorsed by voters of Puerto Rico s three leading parties As Mayor of Guaynabo Cruz placed emphasis on the city s sports programs and elderly care and in 1983 the Mets Pavilion named after the city s BSN basketball team later renamed Mario Morales coliseum opened The new medical center built at a cost of 24 million opened its doors along with parks for special needs children and recreational areas for families Cruz secured federal funds to build new private and public housing developments to mitigate the need for housing in Guaynabo Criminal delinquency during his tenure was among the lowest in Guaynabo s history arguably he said because I am attacking delinquency with sports At the time of his leadership in 1984 there were 24 baseball parks in the town and 60 basketball courts He allocated a budget of 300 000 for the development of parks and recreation in all the barrios in Guaynabo and contracted coaches to teach the different skills to youth in low income areas In 1989 Cruz became a founding member of a group aimed at uniting mayors of all parties in Puerto Rico alongside Caguas mayor Angel O Berrios himself a member of the PPD party PNP s main rival and two other mayors Because of his work on behalf of health the elderly youth and sports in 1985 President Ronald Reagan awarded him the Private Sector Initiative Commendation in Recognition of Exemplary Community Service At the time only one other Puerto Rican had been the recipient of this honor baseball star and humanitarian Roberto Clemente Although not ready to retire at the time of his death Cruz was already contemplating the idea of making room for younger leadership I am in politics for a short time and in sports for life he said The day after his death his photo appeared on the covers of all major newspapers in Puerto Rico including El Nuevo Dia and El Vocero and The San Juan Star Former President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush extended condolences U S Transportation Secretary Andrew Card said that Cruz was not only committed to the people of Guaynabo but also more significantly was deeply committed to Puerto Rico and its relationship with the United States The San Juan Star Robert Friedman March 19 1993 Alejandro Cruz was elected to the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame in 1993 He is one of ten Puerto Ricans including Jorge Tanco Juan Pachot and Ivelisse Echevarria to be inducted at that sports museum He also was honored after his death with the naming of a high school Alejandro Junior Cruz High in Guaynabo He is buried at Cementerio Nuevo Barrio Los Frailes in Guaynabo Puerto Rico See also EditList of Puerto RicansExternal links EditHouse of Representatives of Puerto RicoPreceded byErnesto Cabrera Alejandro Member of the Puerto Rico House of Representativesfrom the 40th District1976 1980 Succeeded bySalomon Rondon TollensPolitical officesPreceded byEbenezer Rivera Mayor of Guaynabo Puerto Rico1980 1993 Succeeded byHector O NeillPuerto Rico Herald org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alejandro Cruz politician amp oldid 1125021393, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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