Thomas Rivera Schatz

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This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Rivera and the second or maternal family name is Schatz.
Thomas Rivera Schatz
Sen. Thomas Rivera Schatz.jpg
Member
25th Senate of Puerto Rico
In office
January 2, 2013 – January 1, 2017
Seal of the President of Puerto Rico Senate.svg
14th President of the Senate of Puerto Rico
24th Senate of Puerto Rico
In office
January 2, 2009 – January 1, 2013
Preceded by Kenneth McClintock
Succeeded by Eduardo Bhatia
Secretary General
New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
In office
2002 – August 17, 2007
Electoral Commissioner
New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
In office
2000 – August 17, 2007
Prosecutor
Department of Justice of Puerto Rico
In office
1996–2000
Governor Pedro Rosselló
Personal details
Born (1966-06-10) June 10, 1966 (age 58)
New York City, New York, USA
Political party PNP, Republican Party
Alma mater Interamerican University of Puerto Rico (B.Sc. in Political Sciences; J.D.)
Profession Attorney
Religion Mormonism

Thomas "Tommy" Rivera Schatz (born June 10, 1966) is a Puerto Rican politician, legal advisor, attorney, and former prosecutor who recently completed his term as the fourteenth President of the Senate of Puerto Rico. He is affiliated with New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico and the United States Republican Party. He is currently the only mormon elected official in the island.[citation needed]

Early life and studies

Rivera Schatz was born on June 10, 1966 in the Bronx Borough of New York City. He is the son of José A. “Nía” Rivera, a past mayor of Trujillo Alto, and Christina Schatz. He attended the Interamerican University Law School, where he graduated in 1992. While in college, he worked full-time at the City of San Juan Public Works Department. A year later, he passed the bar exam required to practice law in Puerto Rico.[1]

Rivera Schatz started his legal career as a legal advisor in the Senate and House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. In 1996, Governor Pedro Rosselló appointed him as a prosecutor at the Department of Justice. After finishing his service as a prosecutor, he returned to private practice, tending both criminal and civil cases.

Political career

Electoral Commissioner and Secretary General: 2000-2007

In 2000, Rivera Schatz was named Electoral Commissioner for the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (PNP). During this time, Rivera Schatz supported President of the PNP, Carlos Pesquera. On June 20, 2002, Schatz was detained, along with Pesquera, after an incident in the office of Women Affairs. Pesquera attempted to enter the offices by force to make a statement by putting the flag of the United States in the government office, after it was removed. As a result, a riot ensued.[2][3]

Two years later, Party President Pedro Rosselló named Rivera Schatz as Secretary General of the PNP in addition to his current position as Electoral Commissioner. He served both positions simultaneously until August 1, 2007, when he decided to run for Senator.

Senator: 2008-present

Rivera Schatz ran for Senator at the PNP primaries where he won a slot in the ballot, receiving the second-most votes. In the 2008 general elections, Rivera Schatz was elected Senator. His fellow Senators then appointed him to be the 14th President of Puerto Rico’s Senate. As such, he selected the following persons for his team:

  • Senator Margarita Nolasco as Senate President Pro tempore
  • Senator Larry Seilhamer as Majority Leader
  • Senator Melinda Romero as Majority Whip
  • Roberto "Junior" Maldonado as Chief Administrative Officer of the Senate.
  • Senate Secretary Manuel A. Torres was nominated by Rivera Schatz and reelected to a second term, becoming the first Senate secretary to serve under two different Senate Presidents
  • Incumbent Superintendent of the Capitol, Eliezer Velázquez, was nominated by Rivera Schatz and ratified by House Speaker Jennifer González for a second term, a first for a Superintendent.

Rivera Schatz was sworn into his post on January 12, 2009.

Personal life

Thomas Rivera Schatz got married on July 16, 1994. Three years later, he had a daughter with Dalcia Lebrón Nieves.

Rivera Schatz and his father are avid collectors of antique cars.[4][5]

External links

References

  1. ↑ Hon. Thomas Rivera Schatz on SenadoPR
  2. ↑ Citados los líderes del PNP on Puerto Rico Herald; from Associated Press
  3. ↑ Encuentran causa contra Pesquera y tres novoprogresistas por motín on Puerto Rico Herald (June 29, 2002)
  4. ↑ Rivera Schatz "quema la fiebre" en Pennsylvania on El Nuevo Día; Rosario, Frances (October 2, 2010)
  5. ↑ Detras del político on El Vocero; Méndez, Milly (February 11, 2011)
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