CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSE RAFAEL "PICULIN" ORTIZ RIJOS AND HONORING JOSE LUIS AND IRAD ORTIZ

On 2026-05-15, Representative Pablo José Hernández (D-PR) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSE RAFAEL "PICULIN" ORTIZ RIJOS AND HONORING JOSE LUIS AND IRAD ORTIZ" in the House.

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSE RAFAEL "PICULIN" ORTIZ RIJOS AND HONORING JOSE LUIS AND IRAD ORTIZ

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 83 (Friday, May 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 83 (Friday, May 15, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3542-H3543] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1040 CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSE RAFAEL ``PICULIN'' ORTIZ RIJOS AND HONORING JOSE LUIS AND IRAD ORTIZ (Mr. HERNANDEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Piculin Ortiz. Born in Aibonito and raised in Cayey, Piculin became a symbol of Puerto Rican pride, perseverance, and excellence, our ``Atletico and Cangrejero and compatriota''; ``athletic crabber and compatriot,'' our guy in the NBA and in the Olympics where we beat the U.S. dream team in 2004. Piculin Ortiz will live forever in the hearts of a grateful Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor two Puerto Rican brothers, Jose Luis and Irad Ortiz, for their triumphant performance at the Kentucky Derby. They reminded an entire generation of Puerto Ricans that where you come from does not determine how far you can go. This story is Puerto Rico's story: resilient, determined, and capable of competing with anyone in the world. [[Page H3543]] ____________________