Herman Badillo, the first Puerto Rican-born U.S. congressman, passed away on Wednesday. He was 85 years old.

Badillo died in Manhattan's New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell hospital following complications of congestive heart failure, but was a fixture notably in The Bronx, where he served as the first Puerto Rican Bronx Borough President from 1966 through 1970. He was also the first Puerto Rican-born congressman in the House of Representatives for New York's 22nd, and later, the 21st District in the South Bronx between 1971 and 1973. In December 1976, Badillo was one of five Latino members of Congress to form the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which still exists today.

A member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Jose Serrano for New York's 15th District published a tweet, stating, "Extremely sad to hear that my friend, mentor, & Puerto Rican trailblazer former Rep. Herman Badillo passed away today. May he rest in peace."

Badillo made several attempts to become mayor of New York City for the Democratic Party. He also had a bid against Michael Bloomberg for the Republican Party's nomination in 2001. Badillo did serve as the deputy mayor in 1977 for Mayor Ed Koch.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of a man whom I looked up to as a role model and who represented Latinos, Bronxites and all New Yorkers as an exemplary public servant," said current Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

"As the first Puerto Rican to be elected as Bronx Borough President, as U.S. Representative and to be a mayoral candidate in our city, Herman Badillo was one of my inspirations as a young man of Puerto Rican descent who was born and raised in the Bronx and pursuing a career in politics," added Diaz, Jr. "He was a true Bronxite and the epitome of a passionate leader who truly cared for his community. Herman Badillo worked assiduously throughout his career to make a difference in the lives of countless individuals across our Borough and City."

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Herman Badillo. He came to New York City an orphan and left it a legend -- America's first Puerto Rican-born congressman and the city's first Puerto Rican borough president and commissioner. His life and work will inspire New Yorkers for generations to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his family," said NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.

As de Blasio noted, Badillo was an orphan by the age of 5. He was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico in 1929 and later moved to East Harlem. Badillo was not afraid to note he was an immigrant.

"I represent the original immigrant," Badillo said, via the Associated Press. "Everybody says that their parents and grandparents came here and couldn't speak English and they were poor. And in my case it wasn't my parents and grandparents. It was me."

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