Puerto Rico

C

Government Support

The government of Puerto Rico has vigorously supported the development of the arts. About the same time the government began Operation Bootstrap, it launched a program designed to enrich cultural values and expression. Known as Operation Serenity, it supported activities in all branches of the arts. The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture encourages the program and sponsors concert performances, art exhibitions, and literary activity. The Economic Development Administration (Fomento) makes possible the Casals Festival, as well as providing financial support for the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. The Puerto Rican Department of Education has provided employment and other opportunities for many artists and writers. The oldest cultural agency in Puerto Rico is the Ateneo Puertorriqueño, a private organization founded in 1876. It promotes the arts with prizes and exhibits and brings many kinds of musical and dramatic performances to the public.

VII

Recreation and Places of Interest

Puerto Rico’s mild climate and sandy beaches make it a popular recreation area, especially for swimming, fishing, boating, tennis, and golf. Baseball, basketball, volleyball, and boxing are popular sports on the island. Horse racing and cockfighting also attract many spectators.

Many famous international sports figures have come from Puerto Rico. In tennis, Gigi Fernández established herself during the 1980s and 1990s as one of the greatest doubles players in women’s professional tennis history. In golf, Chi Chi Rodríguez continues to be one of the most popular players on the Professional Golfer’s Association Seniors tour.

But Puerto Rican baseball players have garnered the greatest success and international fame. Baseball became popular in Puerto Rico soon after the United States occupied the island in 1898. The Puerto Rican Winter League, which runs from November to January, attracts many prominent major league players from the mainland. Puerto Rico has sent many fine players to major league baseball teams in the United States, including Vic Power, who as a first baseman during the 1950s and 1960s won the American League Gold Glove Award seven years in a row. Other more recent Puerto Rican players include Bernie Williams, Juan Gonzalez, and Roberto Alomar. Perhaps the most famous Puerto Rican baseball player was Roberto Clemente, who had a triumphant career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972. Playing right field, Clemente won four National League batting championships and twelve Gold Glove awards in a row. In 1973 Clemente became the first Latin American to be elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.

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Puerto Rico’s Spanish heritage is preserved in many sites in San Juan, especially in the part of the city known as Old San Juan. Among these sites is the San Juan National Historic Site, which includes the fortresses of San Felipe del Morro (known simply as El Morro) and San Cristóbal. La Fortaleza was once a fortress and is now the governor’s palace; its oldest section was completed in 1540. The area also contains many religious sites, including the San Juan Cathedral, built in the early 16th century, and the Old Dominican Convent, built between 1523 and 1528.

VIII

Government

Under the provisions of its 1952 constitution, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth freely associated with the United States. The Puerto Rican government maintains control over local issues, but the island is required to comply with most federal legislation. Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States. They serve in the armed forces and are subject to nearly all federal laws. Citizens of Puerto Rico are exempt from federal income taxes; they do, however, pay commonwealth taxes. Islanders participate equally in most but not all federal entitlement programs. The U.S. government is responsible for the island’s defense, foreign relations, and trade. However, the U.S. and Puerto Rican governments often cooperate on joint programs that benefit the island. Puerto Rican citizens 18 years of age and older may vote.

A

Executive

Puerto Rico’s chief executive is a governor, who is elected by the voters to a four-year term and may be reelected any number of times. With the consent of the legislature, the governor appoints the judges of the supreme and the subordinate courts, and the secretaries who head the executive departments of the government. These department heads form the governor’s advisory council, or council of secretaries. The governor proposes the annual budget and legislative program to the legislature. The governor also commands the island’s National Guard when it is not in federal service. The secretary of state succeeds the governor should the latter resign, die, or be removed from office.

B

Legislative

The Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly is made up of two chambers, a Senate and a House of Representatives. All legislators are elected to four-year terms. Most members are elected in districts, but some are elected at-large in proportion to the popular vote of their political parties. This assures the representation of minority parties that receive a certain percentage of the vote. Because of this provision, the number of senators and representatives can vary. According to the commonwealth’s constitution, however, the Senate must have at least 27 members and the House must have at least 51 members. The Legislative Assembly may override the governor’s veto of legislation by a two-thirds vote in each house.

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