Oscar García Rivera

Oscar Garcia Rivera Sr.
Rivera c. 1937
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 17th New York district
In office
January 1, 1938  December 31, 1940
Preceded byMeyer Alterman
Succeeded byHulan Jack
Personal details
BornNovember 6, 1900
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
DiedFebruary 14, 1969 (aged 68)
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Political partyAmerican Labor
Republican
SpouseEloísa Rivera
ChildrenOscar Garcia Rivera Jr.
Alma materHarvard Law School
OccupationPolitician, lawyer, New York State Assemblyman
Known forFirst Puerto Rican to be elected to public office in the continental United States, creation of the Unemployment Insurance Bill

Oscar Garcia Rivera Sr. (November 6, 1900 – February 14, 1969) was a politician, lawyer and activist. Garcia Rivera made history when in 1937 he became the first Puerto Rican to be elected to public office in the continental United States. In 1956, he also became the first Puerto Rican to be nominated as the Republican candidate for Justice of the City Court.