Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani this evening hosted a reception at Gracie Mansion honoring the sixth annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade, which will be held Sunday, June 10. The parade celebrates the cultural contributions made by Puerto Ricans to the City of New York.

"Puerto Ricans have left their mark in City politics, education, sports and entertainment," Mayor Giuliani said. "They helped pave the way for the City's vibrant and diverse Hispanic community that now makes up 27 percent of our population. This Sunday, the ultimate celebration of those contributions will culminate in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade."

Board of Education President Ninfa Segarra said, "This parade highlights a week of festivities celebrating the culture and strengths the Puerto Rican community brings to the City of New York. Tonight's reception at Gracie Mansion is just one of many events that allow us to showcase the essence of being Puerto Rican."

Mayor Giuliani was also joined by Commissioner George Rios, Department of Records and Information Services; Maria Roman, Chairperson of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.; New York State Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo; New York State Senator Olga Mendez; Herman Badillo; and other elected officials from cities and towns in Puerto Rico.

This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City, which began in 1958. Six years ago, the parade officially became the National Parade of Puerto Rico.

The 2001 National Puerto Rican Day Parade will take place on Sunday, June 10, along Fifth Avenue, with an estimated 100,000 marchers and two million spectators. This year's grand marshall, Sila Maria Calderon, is the first woman to be elected governor in Puerto Rico's history.