Legislators in the Bronx want to memorialize Herman Badillo, a trailblazer for Latinos in the city and country, by naming a post office after him. NY1's Erin Clarke filed the following report.

Herman Badillo was a legendary figure in politics. 

"He was the very first Puerto Rican, and also Latino, to occupy the borough presidency in the Bronx," said Angel Hernandez, education director with the Bronx County Historical Society. "He later became the first Puerto Rican-born congressman."

Badillo, who died in December, championed voting rights for Hispanics and high standards in education, advocacy that led to his appointment as chairman of City University.

Obstacles in Badillo's early life molded him into the steadfast politician he became. In 1940, a young Badillo came to New York from Caguas, Puerto Rico after his parents both died from tuberculosis.

"I think that sense of independence is what served him very well later on in life," said Gail Badillo, Herman Badillo's wife. "In those days, there was no political correctness, so people would say things and be downright horrible, disgusting, and there was a lot of prejudice and racism, and he was the target of that. But he was never, he was undaunted. He just kept perservering."

Badillo's personal accomplishments and what he did for the community have not been forgotten.

"When very few people supported me, one of my very few supporters was Herman Badillo," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "It meant the world to me to have this giant, this pioneer, this indivudal who was bigger than, larger than life to our community, support my candidacy."

Local lawmakers now want to name a south Bronx post office after Badillo to make sure he is remembered for years to come.

Supporters of the proposal said the Morrisania post offiice is an ideal location to be renamed after the late politician.

"It's a very appropriate thing, especially on a post office, an edifice that the community uses on a daily basis," Hernandez said.

"This is a federal building. And Herman had the two connections. He had the federal connection being a congressman and he also had the New York City, very strong New York City connection," Gail Badillo said.

The post office on 167th street is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

Diaz Jr. will announce his proposal in Thursday's State of the Borough speech. A final decision will be up to Congress.