Ritchie Torres

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the recognition of Dr. Carmen Berrios Delgado, a proud Puerto Rican, a brilliant educator, and now a Friends of Puerto Rico honoree.

For over a decade, Dr. Berrios Delgado has made a steadfast commitment to the betterment of her community, helping to educate, mentor, and invest in the students and young professionals of Puerto Rico.

A prolific academic, Dr. Berrios Delgado has aided many students and young professionals during her time as a faculty member at the University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla's business administration department, going above and beyond to ensure the success of Puerto Rico's best and brightest.

Dr. Berrios Delgado has sought out opportunities to provide financial assistance and investments to many students who have ideas that would expand and strengthen not only our economy, but our world. Her efforts ensure that the best of us do not go unheard and unrecognized based on their ability to pay their way.

Additionally, she has donated her time and expertise to strengthen the professional readiness of young people. She works to expose students to outside organizations and workshops that better prepare them for business-oriented careers. She has ardently pursued Puerto Rico's education, entrepreneurship, labor reforms, and economic growth, investing in the long-term goals of the island.

Dr. Berrios Delgado is recognized today as a tireless advocate for the improvement of student opportunities, and a tremendous force for good in her community.

I congratulate Dr. Berrios Delgado on this tremendous honor, and thank her for all she has done for both Puerto Rico and society at large.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate not only the recognition of Robert Salcedo as a Friends of Puerto Rico award recipient, but also his selfless and unrelenting work toward healthcare affordability.

Mr. Salcedo is the founder and CEO of OcyonBio, a pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organization. In his over 25 years specializing in biotechnology, specifically in his time helping to lead Amgen, Mr. Salcedo has molded the strategic vision for projects that have brought tremendous business and manufacturing to Puerto Rico, on top of managing billion-dollar operations.

The focus of Mr. Salcedo's work is gene and cell therapy, an endeavor he carries out to make this lifesaving healthcare affordable and widely accessible. Mr. Salcedo is not only generous in his efforts, he is also hugely successful. Throughout his career, he pioneered a new model of biological engineering and manufacturing. He worked to secure massive biologic manufacturing increases and has forged powerful strategic partnerships to continue innovating and producing at the highest of standards.

Mr. Salcedo has made monumental strides toward shaping Puerto Rico into a land of opportunity and manufacturing for biotechnology and life sciences. He has invested over $100 million dollars into the infrastructure and energy sectors of the island. He has taken care in establishing OcyonBio's base right near the campus of the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez to not only provide jobs to current workers, but to create opportunities for the university's most talented students. His contributions have built and shaped the infrastructure, technology, and expertise of the island in a way that sets Puerto Ricans up for long-term success.

Under his tutelage, Mr. Salcedo's companies have built a foundation on which the industry of biologics in Puerto Rico can operate for decades to come. He lifts those who need an opportunity, and he invests his time and efforts into communities that can truly feel the impact. He is a shining example of what it means to be a good, effective, and upright leader. Mr. Salcedo is exactly what it means to be a friend to Puerto Rico.

I congratulate Robert Salcedo on this extraordinary honor and thank him for the leadership he has displayed and the work that he has done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the accomplishments of Albert J. Cordero and to recognize him as a Friends of Puerto Rico award recipient.

Mr. Cordero founded and serves as the managing director of ethree solutions, a Puerto Rican-based management consulting firm that operates across Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. Over his 30 years of expertise, he has turned his organization into a regional powerhouse specializing operational excellence, digital transformation, technology, and artificial intelligence.

In the 13 years that ethree solutions has existed, Mr. Cordero has expanded the organization to serve over 90 clients and 150 projects across sectors. Perhaps what is most impactful about Mr. Cordero's work is that he has established a strong base in Puerto Rico, delivering digital and technological services across the entire region and, by extension, strengthening the entire communities. Mr. Cordero has further committed to helping small and medium-sized businesses navigate the ever-expanding Al landscape by bringing technological solutions to local professionals and businesses.

Mr. Cordero has notably and consistently recognized the exceptional talent, business, and economic opportunities present within Puerto Rico. He has demonstrated his commitment to the expansion of the island as a competitive hub for high-value services and technology, ensuring a productive and successful future.

Mr. Cordero is a fierce ally and advocate for Puerto Rico, speaking out frequently and ardently about the island's professional potential and helping champion the expansion of local business and development. He is not only expanding his business; he is ensuring that other businessowners in Puerto Rico have the tools and guidance needed for their own ventures to be successful.

Today, I congratulate Albert J. Cordero on his remarkable achievements and affirm that he is a true friend and ally to Puerto Rico.