by Juan Colon de Jesus, 22 November 2004
Last modified: 2021-08-25 by rob raeside
Keywords: puerto rico | san juan | caimito |
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by Juan Colon de Jesus, 22 November 2004
See also:
The flag of Caimito (ward of San Juan, Puerto Rico).
Juan Colon de Jesus, 22 November 2004
The selected form of the flag was of rectangular type and it is made up of
three strips of so large equal, which means that all are equal, no superior, nor
inferior to another one. In particular, the yellow strip, in the part superior,
means the peace that must take always present in their hearts; the white strip,
to the center, means the purity of its culture, the feeling of the human being
and the love by its dear ward, the green strip, in the part inferior, but not by
this less important, means the hope that all human being must have and who never
is due to lose. The tree of "Caimito", on the white strip, represents its dear
Caimito Ward; the River with its Stones, on the same white strip, represents the
extinct Municipality of Rio Piedras, to which they belonged at the time of his
foundation. The "Caimiteña Flag" was hoisted for the first time in the
facilities of the Cultural Center Caimito, Inc., the 22 of December of the year
2000 next to our Puerto Rican flag on the occasion of the commemoration of the
105 anniversary of the Puerto Rico’s flag.
Iris Belén y Juan Colón, 19 May 2011
(Information by Juan Colon de Jesus)
AN ACT
To declare and establish the 22nd day of December of each year as "Caimito Flag
Day."
STATEMENT OF MOTIVES
The people of Puerto Rico have been consistent in the stating of their pride and
admiration for the patriotic symbols that serve as a means to identify our
values, principles and foundations. Of course, our Flag is the symbol "par
excellence" within the numerous instruments we have treasured and admired in
special way throughout our history as a people.
Specifically, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in its
Article VI, Section 15, provides that it is the Legislature that shall determine
all matters concerning the Flag, the Coat of Arms and the National Anthem of
Puerto Rico. Therefore, upon the constitution of the General Powers of
Government, Act No. 1 of July 24, 1952, the exact description of our Flag of the
Commonwealth was established, its use as political insignia was prohibited, and
the Secretary of State was empowered to regulate other uses of the Flag.
On the other hand, the Day of the Flag, Hymn and Coat of Arms of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was established through Act No. 68 of May 28, 1976,
and it was provided that the Governor should issue a Proclamation for the
celebration of this day, and that the Director of the Institute of Culture and
the Secretary of Education would be in charge of implementing this Act. It is
important to indicate that the municipalities of the country, as well as the
communities of broad extension and identification have opted to select a flag or
hymn that represents their unique nature, development and history.
Barrio Caimito which is located in the Municipality of San Juan, has been a
community with its own characteristics that fill the residents and neighbors of
this sector with pride. They share the "bread of learning" in the public schools
of the community, they have their State Police Station, they enjoy the
activities of Centro Cultural Caimito, Inc., and even more important, they have
developed an awareness of protection and proper use of the lands comprised by
this Ward, which is precisely one of the few sites of the Capital City in which
one may enjoy the characteristic verdure of the native land.
Thus, the initiative of the Board of Directors of Centro Cultural Caimito, Inc.,
was born to establish a shield to represent the beloved Caimito Ward. After
several meetings, sharing ideas on how and which
would be the parts to make up the shield, they decided with the consensus of all
the members of the Board, which colors and shapes would be fitting.
The chosen shape was a rectangle, composed of three stripes of equal size, which
means that all are equal, and no one is superior or inferior to the other.
Specifically, the yellow stripe on top symbolizes, the Peace that they must
always keep in their hearts; the white stripe, in the center, means the purity
of their culture, of the sensibility of human beings, and their love for their
beloved Ward; the green stripe at the bottom, last but not less in importance,
symbolizes the hope that every human beings should have, and should never be
lost. The "Caimito" tree on the white stripe, represents their beloved Caimito
Ward; the River with its Stones on the same white stripe, represents the former
Municipality of Río Piedras, to which Caimito Ward belonged at the time it was
founded.
The "Caimito Flag" was raised for the first time in the installations of Centro
Cultural Caimito, Inc., on December 22, 2000, along with our Puerto Rican Flag,
on the commemoration of the 105th anniversary of the national insignia. Today,
all the people of Caimito have two flags of which they feel extremely proud and
honored to always keep them raised.
By declaring and proclaiming the 22nd day of December of each year as "Caimito
Flag Day," the tradition of rendering homage to a Ward that in diverse forms and
ways has assumed its historical responsibility in our country in defense
of our culture and our precious natural resources would be established. For
future generations, it will serve as a remembrance and evidence of the
commitment of this Ward as the buttress of the struggles of the
communities to improve their quality of life.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF PUERTO RICO:
Section 1.- To declare and establish the 22nd day of December of each year as
"Caimito Flag Day."
Section 2.- It is hereby provided that the design of choice for the "Caimito
Flag" is rectangular and consists of three stripes of the same size. The meaning
of said stripes is: the yellow stripe on the top, symbolizes the Peace that they
shall always keep in their hearts; the white stripe, in the middle, means the
purity of their culture, of the sense of being human, and the love of their
beloved Ward; the green stripe at the bottom symbolizes the hopes that all human
beings should treasure, and should never lose. The "Caimito" tree on the white
stripe, represents their beloved Caimito Ward; the river and its stones on the
same white stripe, represents the extinct Municipality of Río Piedras, to which
Caimito Ward belonged at the time of its foundation.
Section 3.- The Governor of Puerto Rico shall exhort the people of Puerto Rico,
through a proclamation, to commemorate the 22nd of December of each year as the
"Caimito Flag Day."
Section 4.- The Puerto Rico Institute of Culture and the Department of Education
shall adopt the necessary measures to fulfill the purposes of this Act by
organizing and holding official activities that recognize and give significance
to the contribution of the residents of Caimito to our community life, as well
as of those institutions or public or private entities, that have procured
outstanding services or assistance in behalf of the Puerto Rican community
located in this Ward.
Section 5.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 61 (H.B.
3927) of the 7th Session of the 14th Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to declare and establish the 22nd day of December of each year as
"Caimito Flag Day, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the
English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today 2nd of June of 2005.
Luis E. Fusté-Lacourt, Director
Iris Belén y Juan Colón, 23 May 2011
