Background
Ramón Luis Rivera Rivera was born in Aguas Buenas on June 21, 1929 to Jesús Rivera Hernández and Herminia Rivera Fernández.
Ramón Luis Rivera Rivera was born in Aguas Buenas on June 21, 1929 to Jesús Rivera Hernández and Herminia Rivera Fernández.
Rivera began his primary studies in his hometown of Aguas Buenas, but completed high school at the Doctor Agustín Stahl High School in Bayamón. He then completed an Associate degree in Administration from the Metropolitan School of Commerce.
He served as Mayor of Bayamón from 1977 until 2001. Rivera served in the United States Army. From 1952 to 1954, he served during the Korean War.
After being honorably discharged, he was stationed in Germany.
Rivera worked for 15 years for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith. In 1972, Rivera was elected to the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico representing District 6.
After one term as Representative, Rivera ran for Mayor at the 1976 general election. He defeated incumbent Manuel Aponte Borrero.
His main concerns towards Bayamón were in the tourism and business industries.
During his 24-year tenure, many buildings and other types of structures were inaugurated, including the Parque De Las Ciencias, the Parque del Trensito (which had, at the time it opened, Puerto Rico"s only running train and a District of Columbia-3 plane formerly used by United Airlines), the city hall, which is a building that crosses over an avenue, the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum, the Canton Mall, a small suspension bridge and many others In addition, a large industrial park with such notable companies as 7UP and Wrangler also opened, in the area known as Lomas Verdes. 7UP has a bottling facility there.
Was the president of the New Progressive Party from 1988 until 1989.
Rivera Junior. has held that position ever since. Rivera Senior has since retired from public life.
Rivera began his political career in 1968, when he was elected as member of the Municipal Assembly of Bayamón. Rivera, a member of the New Progressive Party (PNP), was asked several times by party officials to run for governor, but he always declined.
