On Thursday, October 5, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz hosted Borough Hall’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and unveiled a portrait of the Honorable Gilbert Ramirez, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York County of Kings. In 1975, Justice Ramirez, who was blind, became the first Puerto Rican elected as Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County, where he served with distinction until retiring in 1997. Justice Ramirez passed away in December of 2000 at the age of 76.

The portrait of Justice Ramirez was commissioned by the Brooklyn Bar Association and painted by artist and Brooklyn resident Cathy Diamond. It is the first portrait of a Hispanic installed in Borough Hall’s permanent collection, joining Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Justice Beatrice M. Judge, and Justice Oliver Williams all of whom were added during Borough President Markowitz’s term.

Several prominent members of the Hispanic community and members of the Puerto Rican and American Bar Associations attended the tribute to the life of Justice Ramirez. The evening celebrated the many faces of Brooklyn’s Hispanic community, and featured art, live music, and food representative of many nations. One out of every five Brooklynites can trace their roots to a Spanish-speaking country, and Borough President Markowitz was proud to celebrate the contributions of this vibrant community.

“Justice Ramirez was proud of his heritage and with his success he not only paved the way for so many Hispanic attorneys, judges, and public officials who came after him, his story also provides inspiration for children and adults struggling with physical challenges who nonetheless seek to fully participate in and improve Brooklyn, New York, and the world,” said Borough President Markowitz. “This is the true meaning of the word ‘Honorable’.”