Died 1 February 1987 | ||
Carlos Manuel Rosario, (1922 – February 1, 1987) was a Puerto Rican activist who served as the executive director of the Spanish Community Advisory Committee. He founded the Latino Festival in Washington, DC and founded the Program of English Instruction for Latin Americans (PEILA).
Contents
Biography
Carlos Manuel Rosario was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico, and many in his family were teachers. He attended the University of Puerto Rico. During World War II, he served in the Army touring in North Africa, France, and Germany.
After WWII Rosario returned to Puerto Rico where he worked as an X-Ray technician. In the 1950's he moved to Montana and joined the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He was later transferred to Washington, D.C. where he worked as an X-Ray technician until 1957. Then he worked at the National Tuberculosis Association until 1967 and for the Washington D.C. Health Department from 1967 to 1969.
In 1970, Mayor Walter E. Washington hired Rosario to head the newly formed Spanish Community Advisory Committee which was later named the Office of Latino Affairs. In 1980 he served as the Assistant Director of the D.C. Office on Aging, until he retired in 1984.
Family
Carlos Rosario married Carmin Maria Rosario of Washington and had three sons: Carlos M. Rosario Jr., Jose Rosario, and Reinaldo Rosario; and two daughters, Leticia Rosario and Vilma Tirado.
Activism
Carlos Rosario created various programs that allow Hispanic Americans and Hispanic immigrants to integrate into American society, such as:
Carlos Rosario stated that people referred to him as "The Godfather" because he was the builder of the Latino community in Washington D.C.
Career
WWII (WWII): US Army touring in North Africa, France, and GermanyPost WWII (Post WWII)–1950s (1950s): X-Ray Technician in Puerto Rico1950s (1950s)–1957 (1957): Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in Montana. Later transferred to Washington, DC where he worked as an X-Ray Technician.1957 (1957)–1967 (1967): National Tuberculosis Association1967 (1967)–1969 (1969): D.C. Health Department1970 (1970)–1980 (1980): Executive director of the newly formed Spanish Community Advisory Committee (later named the Office of Latino Affairs of the District of Columbia)1980 (1980)–1984 (1984): Assistant director of the D.C. Office on AgingDeath
Carlos Rosario suffered a heart attack on February 1, 1987 while vacationing in Puerto Rico and died in a hospital in Dorado, Puerto Rico at the age of 65.
Recognition
Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School (former Carlos Rosario Center) was named after him.