LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the 25th Anniversary of El Buen
Amigo, and paying tribute to owner, Santiago Masferrer

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those individuals and businesses which substantially
contribute to the economic vitality and cultural enrichment of their
communities and the entire Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate
the 25th Anniversary of El Buen Amigo, and to pay tribute to owner,
Santiago Masferrer; and
WHEREAS, El Buen Amigo is a fair trade business located in the heart
of the Allentown district in Buffalo, offering arts, crafts, clothing
and coffee direct from artisans and farmers throughout Latin America;
and
WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, El Buen Amigo has showcased the beauty
and the value of Latino culture by offering beautiful handcrafted items
at fair prices from artisans in Central and South America, the Caribbe-
an, and other nations; it strives to provide impoverished individuals
from developing countries with a living income and the opportunity to
maintain a sustainable lifestyle for both they and their families; and
WHEREAS, Santiago Masferrer, the esteemed owner of El Buen Amigo,
emigrated to America 40 years ago in search of a better life after being
wrongfully imprisoned in his native Chile; and
WHEREAS, On September 11, 1973, General Augusto Pinochet overthrew the
democratic government of Chile and installed a military junta; thousands
of people were arrested for being suspected dissidents; and
WHEREAS, Santiago Masferrer, a civilian employee of the national
police and a housing association volunteer at the time, received a phone
call to report to a police precinct; he surrendered himself, and was
promptly arrested; and
WHEREAS, For six months, Santiago Masferrer was held prisoner in soli-
tary confinement where he lived in a very small cell under deplorable
conditions; and
WHEREAS, Upon his release, Santiago Masferrer sought political asylum
in the United States, in hopes of teaching Americans a better appreci-
ation of South American culture; and
WHEREAS, Although originally planning to join a Chilean community in
Milwaukee, Santiago Masferrer found himself starting a new life in
Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, Following his arrival in Western New York, Santiago Masferrer
founded the Latin American Cultural Association; he and his wife also
found jobs at Millard Fillmore Hospital; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Santiago Masferrer left the hospital, and became a
carpentry instructor at Attica Prison; he later accepted a position at
Orleans County Correctional Facility; and
WHEREAS, Sincerely dedicated to helping prison inmates, Santiago
Masferrer administered the Inmate Program Associates initiative at Orle-
ans from 1993 to 2004, where he worked tirelessly to enable prisoners to
pursue their college degrees; and
WHEREAS, Today, this remarkable man shares his love of Latin American
stories, arts, and culture with the Buffalo community at El Buen Amigo,
with the help of an array of teachers, volunteers, and interns; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Santiago Masferrer
for his outstanding service to the Buffalo community as owner of El Buen
Amigo; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges this exceptional business and its contributions to the local and
State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
sparkling successes it has experienced over the past 25 years; and
WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body that when indi-
viduals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the 25th Anniversary of El Buen Amigo and to pay tribute to
owner, Santiago Masferrer; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Santiago Masferrer.