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NEW YORK, NY December 19, 2006 —An Hispanic former New York Congressman is setting off a firestorm for saying Latino parents don't place enough priority on their children's education. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

REPORTER: Herman Badillo was the first Puerto Rican elected to Congress, a mayoral candidate and a chancellor of CUNY. In a forthcoming book called "One Nation, One Standard," the 77 year-old politician reportedly says, quote, "Hispanics have simply failed to recognize the overriding importance of education."

The comments set off a frenzy over the internet by Latino community leaders. Congressman Jose Serrano calling Badillo bitter and angry. Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy, says the emails demonstrate a feeling of betrayal.

FALCON: Badillo has kind of gone to the dark side, he's kind of become a Puerto Rican Darth Vadar.

REPORTER: Falcon says cultural and economic factors prevent many Latino parents from being more engaged in their schools. Badillo won't comment until the book is released in January. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.