Described as “a candid, savvy, inspiring, and often hilarious memoir,” Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez’s new book, Still Dreaming: My Journey from the Barrio to Capitol Hill, tells about his hard work and perseverance through his political trajectory and offers perspectives on key moments in the political history in the United States. Taller Puertorriqueño and the Boricua Human Rights Network will present a book signing and reception with Congressman Gutiérrez on November 6, 2013, at 6:30-8:00pm at Taller’s Education Building, located on 2557 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Taller Puertorriqueño team considers Congressman Gutiérrez to be a true hero to many in the Latino community—one who has remained true to his roots, standing up for those whose voices are consistently challenged and silenced.

Description: In this book, Congressman Gutiérrez recounts his life between two worlds: too Puerto Rican in [the U.S.], where he was born and yet was told to “go back to where you came from”; too American in Puerto Rico, where he was ridiculed as a “gringo” who couldn’t speak Spanish. For much of his early life, he seemed like the last person who would rise to national prominence. Yet his tremendous will and resilience shaped his varied experiences—from picking coffee beans to driving a cab—into one of the most surprising careers in American politics. He campaigned for Chicago’s first black mayor, Harold Washington. Someone threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of his house, and he only grew more committed to reform. Tested in the crucible of the notoriously tough Chicago city council, he earned the nickname “El Gallito”: the little fighting rooster.

Congressman Gutiérrez was one of the first Latino public figures to support gay rights; he led the fight to cut Congressional paychecks, hashed out legislation with both Ted Kennedy and John McCain, and fought with Newt Gingrich and George W. Bush. Despite his strong support for Barack Obama in two elections, he has twice been arrested while protesting for immigrants in front of the Obama White House. From recollections of his failures as a teenage activist to his crackling observations of the nautical décor in Kennedy’s office and the white-gloved waiters of the Speaker’s dining room, Gutierrez is as endearing to the reader as he is sometimes maddening to his colleagues, inspiring us all to stand up for our rights and for those of others.

For full description and more information, see http://www.amazon.com/Still-Dreaming-Journey-Barrio-Capitol/dp/0393088979

You may purchase tickets for the book-signing and the book at early-bird price at www.stilldreamingreception.eventbrite.com