| Roberto Rexach Benítez | |
|---|---|
| 10th President of the Senate of Puerto Rico | |
| In office 1993–1996 |
|
| Preceded by | Miguel Hernández Agosto |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Rodríguez |
| Member of the Senate of Puerto Rico | |
| In office 1985–1998 |
|
| Succeeded by | Orlando Parga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 18, 1929 New York City, New York |
| Political party | New Progressive Party |
| Spouse(s) | Ada Urdaz |
| Alma mater | University of Puerto Rico (B.A.) University of Puerto Rico School of Law (M.D.) |
| Profession | Politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Roberto Rexach Benítez (born December 18, 1929 on New York City) is a Puerto Rican politician, and former Senator and Representative. Rexach Benítez served as the tenth President of the Senate of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 1996. He also served as a member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives from 1973 to 1976, under the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) and as a member of the Senate (1985-1998) under the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (PNP).
Prior to his legislative career, he was the first director of the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo (1967-1970) and University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (1961-1967).
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Rexach Benítez was born on December 18, 1929 in New York City to Puerto Rican parents. He was raised in Puerto Rico, studying elementary school in Juncos and Arecibo. He graduated from high school in Río Piedras.
In 1951, Rexach Benítez received his Bachelor's degree in Social Science from the University of Puerto Rico. A year later, he finished his Master's degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland. He also completed two years of studies at the University of Puerto Rico School of Law.
Rexach Benítez worked as a professor of Political Science at the University of Puerto Rico in 1958. That same year, he was appointed Aide to the Dean of Administration. From 1961 to 1967, he served as Director and Dean of the Humacao Regional Universitary College. After that, he worked at the same position at the Arecibo Regional Universitary College until 1970.
In 1973, Rexach Benítez was elected to the House of Representatives under the Popular Democratic Party. Some years later, he joined the opposing party, the New Progressive Party. In 1980, he worked as an aide to the President of the University of Puerto Rico, and from 1981 to 1985, he worked as an adviser to Governor Carlos Romero Barceló.
In 1984, Rexach was elected as Senator At-large at the general elections. After being sworn in, he was chosen as his party Speaker. In 1988, he was reelected and ratified as Speaker of the PNP Minority. He was again reelected at the 1992 elections, and was chosen President of the Senate by his fellow senators. He was sworn in as such on January 11, 1993[1] and stayed in that position unti 1996 when he was reelected as Senator At-large.
After retiring from politics, Rexach Benítez has served as an educational consultant. He also writes a weekly column for El Vocero newspaper. He has also written several books and essays. Some of them are:
He lives in Arecibo, Puerto Rico with his wife, attorney Ada Urdaz.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Miguel Hernández Agosto |
President of the Senate of Puerto Rico 1993-96 |
Succeeded by Charlie Rodríguez |