Nelson Merced facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nelson Merced
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| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 5th Suffolk District | |
| In office 1989–1993 |
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| Preceded by | Richard J. Rouse |
| Succeeded by | Althea Garrison |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 17, 1947 New York City |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residences | Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | University of Connecticut Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Urban Planner Politician |
Nelson Merced, born on August 17, 1947, in New York City, is a well-known activist and politician from Massachusetts. He made history as the first Hispanic person elected to the Massachusetts General Court. He served as a Democratic representative for the fifth Suffolk District in Boston from 1989 to 1993. This district included the Roxbury and North Dorchester areas.
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Nelson Merced's Early Life and Education
Nelson Merced was born in New York in 1947. His family moved often between the Northeast United States and Puerto Rico. In 1965, he joined the United States Navy.
After leaving the Navy, Merced lived in Puerto Rico with his parents. He became involved in a movement that helped people gain rights to land they were living on. In 1971, he returned to the United States. He settled in Massachusetts in 1976. He worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare. Later, in 1981, he became the director of La Alianza Hispana, a community organization.
Merced earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut. He also did advanced studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Nelson Merced's Political Career
In 1988, Nelson Merced achieved a major milestone. He became the first Latino to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. This made him the first Hispanic person to hold a state office in Massachusetts. He held this important position until 1992. He was successfully re-elected in 1990.
Key Issues Nelson Merced Supported
During his time in the House, Merced worked hard on several important issues.
- He supported campaigns to protect and improve bilingual education in Massachusetts.
- He also worked to protect the rights of immigrants.
- Merced helped reform the Boston Public Schools.
- He wrote a law to create an Urban Initiative Fund. This fund helped cities with special projects.
- He was a key leader for a bill that aimed to make insurance companies invest more in local communities.
After His Time in the House
In 1994, Merced became the CEO of Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción. This organization helps people in the community. He left the organization in 1996. In 2005, Merced took a position at NeighborWorks America. This is a nonprofit group supported by the US Congress. He worked as the Director of National Initiatives and Applied Research.
Merced was also a member of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform. The US Senate appointed him to this group. It was formed in 1990 to suggest changes to United States immigration rules. The commission released several reports between 1994 and 1997.
Other Community Activities
Nelson Merced was a founding member of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. He was also its first president. This organization is a special community development group. It is recognized across the country for its work.
For many years, Merced has taught at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has lectured on topics like community planning, managing people, finding money for projects, and how laws are made.
