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The island House of Representatives will hold a discussion today on the life and career of Luis A. Ferré as part of the activities commemorating the birth of the Puerto Rican political icon led by House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez and former House Speaker José Aponte Hernández.
The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the Salón de los Proceres on the second floor of the Capitol. Prominent historians Antonio Quiñones and Mario Ramos will be the main speakers at the gathering.
“Don Luis was a tireless fighter for the achievement of equal rights with American citizens in the states. He did not settle for the bare minimum; on the contrary, he sought the best for Puerto Rico,” said Aponte, who also chairs the House Committee on Federal and Veterans Affairs. “We have made great progress in recent years to meet the goal that Don Luis set. Together we can give our Puerto Rico the future it deserves, one of progress, sustained economic development and social justice for all. Don Luis’ legacy lives on in all of us; it is time to redouble our efforts to achieve that equality.”
Don Luis, as he was known, was born on Feb. 17, 1904 in Ponce. Among his vast legacy of work is the founding of the New Progressive Party, the only political movement on the Island that aims to achieve statehood. It was under the banner of the palm in 1969 that Ferré was sworn in as the island’s third governor democratically elected by the people.
“Luis A. Ferré was one of those people who distinguished himself by always fighting to improve the quality of life of Puerto Ricans, leaving the political arena to become a patron of the arts,” Aponte added. “His tireless search for benefits for our people never ceased, because even after his term as governor ended, Don Luis worked to impact the lives of so many. His legacy is indisputable and deserves recognition, as the hero that he is.”
