Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg celebrated the 10th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade at a reception at Gracie Mansion.  New York City began its tradition of honoring the culture and contributions of the people of Puerto Rico and their impact on the City in 1958.  The annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade was established in 1995.  Last year there were over 100,000 marchers and 3 million spectators at the parade along 5th Avenue.  This year’s parade on Sunday, June 12th will kick-off with ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:00 a.m., on 5th Avenue and 44th Street.  Parade goers, floats and bands will then travel up 86th Street.  The parade’s theme this year is Count on Us and was chosen to acknowledge Puerto Ricans that every day perform essential services to help improve the quality of life for residents of Puerto Rico and the United States.  Joining the Mayor at the reception was Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs Carol Robles-Román, Musician Willie Colón, National Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee President Ralph Morales, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Geographic Marketing and Community Outreach Manager Zulema T. Wiscovitch, Galos Corporation President Carlos Velasquez and other City officials. 

“Today I would like to commend the National Puerto Rican Day Parade committee for their outstanding work in making one of New York’s most popular traditions bigger and better than ever,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “This year’s parade theme Cuenta con Nosotros rightfully recognizes that Puerto Ricans have proven themselves to be indispensable members of our City and nation. Whether they are working as police officers, firefighters, teachers, soldiers, doctors, corporate leaders or small business owners, Puerto Ricans are essential to every area of our city’s economic and   cultural life.”
          
This year’s National Grand Marshall is the President of the Grande Supermarket chains in Puerto Rico, Atilano Cordero Badillo and the Grand Marshall representing the State of New York is Vice Chairman of MTV Networks Herb Scannell.  The parade is dedicated to the Puerto Rican Municipality of Yauco.  Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Abel Nazario Quinonez exchanged keys to their Cities during the evening’s program.  A special parade dedication was also given to Miguel “Mike” Garcia because of his extraordinary commitment to the success of the parade its general coordinator since 1995.  

Mayor Bloomberg presented Ralph Morales, President of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, with a Proclamation in recognition of the parades success and many its many contributions to the City in the past last ten years. 

The parade will be broadcast live by WNBC, the official television station of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade and for the first time this year Telemundo in Puerto Rico will also telecast the parade live.  Latino Mix 105.9 FM and 1280 Radio WADO are the official radio stations. The official print media representatives are HOY and Newsday.

Anheuser-Busch presented Mayor Bloomberg with a set of championship boxing gloves in appreciation of the Mayor’s commitment and recognition of the culture and achievements of New York City’s Puerto Rican community.  Mayor Bloomberg is donating the set of boxing gloves to the Police Athletic League on Webster Avenue in the Bronx.   

Guest at the Mayor’s reception enjoyed the sounds bomba, plena and música jíbara that were performed by the band Yerbabuena, a group of young Boricua and Latino musicians, singers and dancers from the New York City area.  Anheuser Busch, GALOS Corporation, Bacardi USA and Coca-Cola generously sponsored the reception.