DOCSLIB.ORG

Report on Gender Discrimination

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report on Gender Discrimination THE SUPREME COURT OF PUERTO RICO SPECIAL JUDICIAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN THE COURTS OF PUERTO RICO Reporton Gender Discrimination in theCourts of PuertoRico SJI AUGUST 1995 THE SUPREME COURT OF PUERTO RICO SPECIAL JUDICIAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN THE COURTS OF PUERTO RICO REPORT ON GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN THE COURTS OF PUERTO RICO AUGUST 1995 State Justice Institute This report was developed with the co-sponsorship of the State Justice Institute. Ihe points of view expressed he,e are the sole responsibility of members of the Special Judicial Commission to Inves­ tigate Gender Discrimination in the Courts of Puerto Rico and do not necessarily represent the of­ ficial opinion of the State Justice institue .. State Justice Institute MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL JUDICIAL COMMISSION FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN THE COURTS OF PUERTO RICO Hon .. Jose A Andreu Garcia Hon. Mitiam Naveira de Rodon Ex-Officio Presidents Members Hon ..Jeannette Ramos Buonomo President Rafael J. Torres Torres, Esq .. Executive Dit·ector Hon ..Liana Fiol Matta Hon. Rafael Ortiz Canion Hon ..Georgina Canela! Segurola Hon ..Victor Rivera Gonzalez Hon Eddie A Rios Benitez Hon ..Isabel Llomprut Zeno Dr. Y amila Azize V rugas Dr. Edwin B. Fernandez Bauzo Dr. Mruya Mufioz Vazquez Dr ..Efren Rivera Ramos Prof Migdalia Fraticelli Torres Prof Ivette Ramos Buonomo Judith Berkan, Esq Angelita Rieckehoff, Esq. Ms Yolanda Zayas, M T .S.. Work Group Ana L Davila Lao, Esq. Myrta Morales Cruz, Esq Ms. Crumen M ..Dfaz Esteve Ms Elsie M. Ramirez Montalvo Ms. Tamrua Calderon Solis Ms ..Ada Colon Ramos August 22, 1995 Hon .. Jose A Andreu Garcfa ChiefJustice The Supreme CoUit San Juan, Pue1to Rico ea,,isalnJucicial Especial para lnvesligarel llisorim"'1por G6nero en106 Tribunale5 de PuertoRico Dear ML Chief Justice: HonJoooA.Andr6uGan:la "'-"" .. offlcio --- The Special Judicial Commission to Investigate Gende1 Disc1imination in the CoUits of Pue,to Rico, in conclud­ -_....,,_Ramasl!uanamo ing its investigation, submits its Repmt, conclusions and recommendations to you and the full Supreme CoUit. Ledo.Rafael J. Torres llirecl«Ejecull'lo- Our inte1pretation of infmmation in this Repmt regarding Hen.Liana Flol Ma!la the legal, doctrinal, and sociological aspects related to - RafaalOi1iz Carrl6n different manifestations and dimensions of gender dis­ - Gec,ginaCandal Sag .. ola Hon VlctorRlve<8Gonzalez c1imination, and the standpoints we have adopted repre­ Hon EddieA. RfasBenitez sent the consensus of both male and female Commission­ Hon.Isabel Uompart Zeno llra. Yamila- Vargas ers ..Although most of us coincide with the overall Repmt, Dra.Marya Munoz we have included individual exceptions to some of the de­ Dr.EdWlnFemandeZ LcdaMigdaia Fiattcerrn,n .. veloped ideas and conclusions .. LcdaJudl1h - Lcdalwl1B Ramos Buonomo The Commission is grateful to you for the oppmtunity to Leda.Angelita -hoff La!o.Etlln RIYOra explore a matte, of such social impmtance for our coun­ S... YolandaZaya, try.. The investigation became a true leatning process fo1 us; ce1tainly, it broadened OUI perspectives .. We were es; TrilxlnalSupremo de PuenoRlco pecially proud to have collaborated with the Judicial Apartado2392 SanJuan PR 0C902·-2392 System on this matter because we believe that to under­ 8097236033 take this kind of self~evaluation takes moral coUiage and fax 809 725 4910 shows genuine commitment to the values and p1inciples that the Judicial System represents ..We a,·e confident that this pioneering attempt in Pue1to Rico will lead othe1 public institutions to undertake similat self'scmtiny. Many persons, institutions and organizations collabmated with the Commission in the pe1fo1mance of its work and we ate deeply grateful to them. We ai·e especially grateful to you and the Hon. Miriam Naveita de Rod6n who, as Ex-Officio Presidents of the Commission, knew DISCRIMENPOR GENERO EN LOS TRIBUNALES DE PUERTO RICO The Hon .. Jose Andreu Garcia August 22, 1995 Page2 how to give us the necessary support and stimulus to accomplish our mandate .. We ar·e aware that our commitment to the Judicial Branch does not conclude with the delivery of this Report to the Supreme Co111t.Presenting this Repmt to the Judicial Conference of Puerto Rico and the development of a plan of action to eradicate every manifestation of gender discrimination in the co111tsof the country are also impmtant parts of 0111mandate .. We are moving in that dirnction with determination and p111pose We are aware of the fact that sensitivity to the problem is a pre­ requisite to overcoming it. We hope that this Report serves as a foundation for that eventual vic­ tory Respectfully submitted, fl:.,:Q.1/1, /4 41_________ _ Je nMtte Ramos Buonomo Presi~ , ~ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1he Commission to Investigate Gender Disctimination in the Cowls of Puerto Rico is grateful for the collaboration of different organizations and persons who appeared at the Hearings, Focus Group Interviews and the Participatory Investigative Sessions which were held as part of our investigation and to those who collaborated in developing it. The Commission especially ac­ knowledges the support and contributions of the following persons, organizations and institutions: Hon ..Mercedes M ..Banermeister Hon.Hiiam Sanchez Martinez Mr. Edwin R Rivera Sanchez Hon ..Ctisanta Gonzalez Seda Hon. Carmen Rita Velez Borras Dr.. Alice Colon Olga E. Resumil, Esq. Matilde Acevedo, Esq. Mr Erbin Pagan Polanco The State Justice Institute of the United States Notary Bond Fund of the Puetto Rico Bar Association The Puerto Rico Office of Comts Administration University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus, Women's Studies Project University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, Rector's Office, Law School and Psychology Department InterArnerican University of Puerto Rico, Law Faculty Center for Conflict Mediation, Judicial Center of San Juan The Commission also wishes to convey its deepest appreciation to the work team com­ prised of: Ana I. Davila Lao, Esq .., Ms. Elsie M. Ramirez Montalvo, Ms. Carmen M. Diaz Esteve, Myrta Morales Cruz, Esq., and secretaries Ms Tamara Calderon Solis and Ms. Ada Colon Ra­ mos. We ar·e also indebted to Debbie Bermudez Sanabria, Esq and to secretary Ms Amea 1oues Ortiz, members of the personal staff of the Hon .. Jeannette Ramos Buonomo TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction I Chapter I General Theoretical Framework ... 19 Introduction ... 19 Definitions of Concepts Used . 19 Sexual Orientation Discrimination ... 27 Gender Discrimination and Social Condition . 29 Aspects of the Problem to be Studied ..... 29 Discrimination, Patriarchy and Power . 30 The Social Production of Stereotypes 33 The Importance of Language ... 36 Ihe Force of the Law ... 37 The Consequences of Discrimination .. 38 Chapter2 .... 39 Methodology .... 39 Introduction 39 Organization of Work and Methodological Design .. 45 Differences Between Social Investigation and Determination of Facts in the Judicial Process .. 46 Description of the Methods Used .. 47 A Hearings .. 47 B Focus Group Interview, .. 52 C Court Watching ... 55 D. Participatory Investigative Se!lionsfor Male and Female Judges of the Judicial System . 58 E. Analysis of Legislation 60 F. Analysis ofJurisprudence 61 G. Analysis of Data from the Courts Administration Office . 62 On the Method of Reporting the Results of the Investigation. 62 Chapter3 Constitutional Framework . 65 GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN THE COURTS OF PUERTO RICO Chapte, 4 Judicial Administration,., 73 Introduction ., , 73 Analysis of the Findings on Judicial Administration, 79 Recommendations , 116 Chapte, 5 Interaction in the Courts , 119 Introduction , , 119 Juridical Fmmework Applicable to Court Interaction , 128 A. Canons of Judicial Ethics 129 B Code of Professional Ethics, 133 C The Judicial Branch as Employer; the Policy of the Office of Courts Administration on Sexual Harassment in the Work Place,, 135 D, The Bill of Rights of Victim, and Witnesses of Crime., 138 Analysis ofFindings ... 139 Recommendations 169 Chapter6 Personal Rights and Family Law,, 171 Introduction, 171 Analysis of Legislation and Jurisprudence,, 179 A. On the Language of Law , 183 B lhe Capacity of Per,ons to Act According to their Gender,,, 185 C The Value of Women's Work in the Family and in Pue,to Rican Society.,., 186 D Relations Between the Couple.· Marriage, Concubinage and the Homosexual Relationship , 197 E Concubinage , 206 F Filial Relationships 212 G. The Obligation to Support. 246 H lhe Exercise and Enjoyment of Patrimonial Rights in Mmriage 267 Analysis of Findings on Family Law,, 278 Recommendations 334 Chapter 7. 337 Domestic Violence., 337 Introduction , 337 Custody and Domestic Violence,, 348 Analysis ofLegislation andJwisp1udence ,, 352 lhe Domestic Violence Act of Puerto Rico, 352 lhe Federal Violence Against Women Act,,,, 363 TABLE OF CONTENTS Jurisprudence of lhe Supreme Court of Puerto Rico Related to the Problem of Domestic Violence ... 374 Court ofAppeals Decisions on Domestic Violence 386 Analysis of Findings 392 Recommendations 423 Chapter8 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems .. 425 A Criminal Justice System .. 425 Introduction .. 425 Analysis of Legislation and Jurisprudence . 428 Analysis of Findings 446 Recommendations. 453 B. Juvenile Justice System .. 454 Introduction . 454 Recommendations .. 475 Chapter 9 Labor Law. 477 Introduction ... 477 Legal Framework and Jurisprudence .. 482 A. Constitutional Protections ... 482 B. Applicable Legislation ................... 483 C Jurisprudence
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cancel Culture: Posthuman Hauntologies in Digital Rhetoric and the Latent Values of Virtual Community Networks
    CANCEL CULTURE: POSTHUMAN HAUNTOLOGIES IN DIGITAL RHETORIC AND THE LATENT VALUES OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITY NETWORKS By Austin Michael Hooks Heather Palmer Rik Hunter Associate Professor of English Associate Professor of English (Chair) (Committee Member) Matthew Guy Associate Professor of English (Committee Member) CANCEL CULTURE: POSTHUMAN HAUNTOLOGIES IN DIGITAL RHETORIC AND THE LATENT VALUES OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITY NETWORKS By Austin Michael Hooks A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of English The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee August 2020 ii Copyright © 2020 By Austin Michael Hooks All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT This study explores how modern epideictic practices enact latent community values by analyzing modern call-out culture, a form of public shaming that aims to hold individuals responsible for perceived politically incorrect behavior via social media, and cancel culture, a boycott of such behavior and a variant of call-out culture. As a result, this thesis is mainly concerned with the capacity of words, iterated within the archive of social media, to haunt us— both culturally and informatically. Through hauntology, this study hopes to understand a modern discourse community that is bound by an epideictic framework that specializes in the deconstruction of the individual’s ethos via the constant demonization and incitement of past, current, and possible social media expressions. The primary goal of this study is to understand how these practices function within a capitalistic framework and mirror the performativity of capital by reducing affective human interactions to that of a transaction.
    [Show full text]
  • 15-108 Puerto Rico V. Sanchez Valle (06/09/2016)
    (Slip Opinion) OCTOBER TERM, 2015 1 Syllabus NOTE: Where it is feasible, a syllabus (headnote) will be released, as is being done in connection with this case, at the time the opinion is issued. The syllabus constitutes no part of the opinion of the Court but has been prepared by the Reporter of Decisions for the convenience of the reader. See United States v. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 U. S. 321, 337. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Syllabus COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO v. SANCHEZ VALLE ET AL. CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT OF PUERTO RICO No. 15–108. Argued January 13, 2016—Decided June 9, 2016 Respondents Luis Sánchez Valle and Jaime Gómez Vázquez each sold a gun to an undercover police officer. Puerto Rican prosecutors indict­ ed them for illegally selling firearms in violation of the Puerto Rico Arms Act of 2000. While those charges were pending, federal grand juries also indicted them, based on the same transactions, for viola­ tions of analogous U. S. gun trafficking statutes. Both defendants pleaded guilty to the federal charges and moved to dismiss the pend­ ing Commonwealth charges on double jeopardy grounds. The trial court in each case dismissed the charges, rejecting prosecutors’ ar­ guments that Puerto Rico and the United States are separate sover­ eigns for double jeopardy purposes and so could bring successive prosecutions against each defendant. The Puerto Rico Court of Ap­ peals consolidated the cases and reversed. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico granted review and held, in line with the trial court, that Puerto Rico’s gun sale prosecutions violated the Double Jeopardy Clause.
    [Show full text]
  • Abstract Since 2016, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Has Experienced a Period of Political Challenges Along with a Severe Economic Austerity
    Revista [IN]Genios, Vol. 7, Núm. 1, pp.1-16 (diciembre, 2020) ISSN#: 2374-2747 Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras © 2020, Copyright. Todos los derechos están reservados. ISLAND ARTSCAPE OF BANKRUPTCY: A NARRATIVE PHOTO-ESSAY OF SAN JUAN’S POLITICAL STREET ART OF RESISTANCE Medio: Fotografía Andrea D. Rivera Martínez Departamento de Psicología Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, UPR RP Recibido: 15/09/2020; Revisado: 16/11/2020; Aceptado: 29/11/2020 Abstract Since 2016, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has experienced a period of political challenges along with a severe economic austerity. Given the unpromising projections, voices of resistance, anger, frustration, uncertainty, and hope are becoming increasingly visible on the island’s cities’ walls and spaces. Thus, based on the current situation of fiscal crisis, this visual essay narrates and documents the continuum of interpretations and opinions regarding the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) inscribed in the urban fabric over the past five years from now. Keywords: street art, bankruptcy, fiscal crisis, austerity, Puerto Rico Resumen Desde el 2016, el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico experimenta un período de desafíos políticos junto con una severa austeridad económica. Dadas las proyecciones, las voces de resistencia, ira, frustración, incertidumbre y esperanza son cada vez más visibles en las paredes y espacios de las ciudades de la isla. Por tanto, dada la situación actual de crisis fiscal, este ensayo visual narra y documenta el continuo de interpretaciones y opiniones sobre la Ley de Supervisión, Gestión y Estabilidad Económica de Puerto Rico (PROMESA) inscritas en el tejido urbano durante los últimos cinco años.
    [Show full text]
  • The Operational Aesthetic in the Performance of Professional Wrestling William P
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2005 The operational aesthetic in the performance of professional wrestling William P. Lipscomb III Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Communication Commons Recommended Citation Lipscomb III, William P., "The operational aesthetic in the performance of professional wrestling" (2005). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 3825. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/3825 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. THE OPERATIONAL AESTHETIC IN THE PERFORMANCE OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Communication Studies by William P. Lipscomb III B.S., University of Southern Mississippi, 1990 B.S., University of Southern Mississippi, 1991 M.S., University of Southern Mississippi, 1993 May 2005 ©Copyright 2005 William P. Lipscomb III All rights reserved ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am so thankful for the love and support of my entire family, especially my mom and dad. Both my parents were gifted educators, and without their wisdom, guidance, and encouragement none of this would have been possible. Special thanks to my brother John for all the positive vibes, and to Joy who was there for me during some very dark days.
    [Show full text]
  • New Child Neglect Law Takes Effect
    FALL EDITION | 2011 5750 Executive Drive, Suite 100 • Baltimore, MD 21228-1979 410.788.1066 in Baltimore / 800.867.6776 (MD only) e-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.nasw-md.org FAX: 410.747.0635 NASW-MD, through advocacy, education and collaboration with diverse stakeholders and guided by its Code of Ethics will: Promote social justice, promote the social work profession, support professional development of social workers and advance professional social work standards. New Child Neglect Law Takes Effect BY DAPHNE MCCLELLAN failure to provide necessary assistance and resources for the physical needs or men- uring the 2011 session of the tal health of a minor when the failure is General Assembly Maryland be- due solely to a lack of financial resources or Dcame the last state in the Union to homelessness. criminalize intentional child neglect. The How does this law affect you, the social “Child Neglect Bill” (HB 162/SB 178) worker? In addition to amending the crim- was signed by Gov. O’Malley in May and inal law statutes, the new law amended the went into effect on October 1. Family Law statutes: section 5-704 and Section 3-602.1 of Maryland Criminal 5-705. The law now states that “notwith- Law was amended to create a misdemeanor standing any other provision of law, in- of Child Neglect. It states “a parent, fam- cluding any law on privileged communica- ily member, household member, or other tions, each health practitioner (that is you), person who has permanent or temporary police officer, educator, or human service care or custody or responsibility for the su- worker, acting in a professional capacity in pervision of a minor may not neglect the this State: who has reason to believe that a minor.
    [Show full text]
  • Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007
    110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! 2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 110–597 PUERTO RICO DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2007 APRIL 22, 2008.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. RAHALL, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T together with ADDITIONAL VIEWS [To accompany H.R. 900] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 900) to provide for a federally sanctioned self-determina- tion process for the people of Puerto Rico, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and rec- ommend that the bill as amended do pass. The amendment is as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007’’. SEC. 2. PUERTO RICAN DECISION ON PRESENT STATUS. (a) PLEBISCITE.—The Puerto Rico State Elections Commission shall conduct a plebiscite in Puerto Rico not later than December 31, 2009. The two options set forth on the ballot shall be preceded by the following statement: Instructions: Mark one of the following two options: (1) Puerto Rico should continue to have its present form of territorial status and relationship with the United States. If you agree, mark here llllllllll. (2) Puerto Rico should pursue a constitutionally-viable permanent non-terri- torial status. If you agree, mark here llllllllll. (b) RECOMMENDATONS.—If a majority of the validly-cast
    [Show full text]
  • 2020-21 LSU Research Magazine, Frontiers
    Office of Research & Economic Development ···························· The Constant Pursuit of Discovery | 2020-21 TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 CORONAVIRUS 26 BLACK HOLE 18 EXPEDITION 32 CARBON 22 FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH News Scholarship Recognition 3 Briefs 36 Black and Essential 48 Rainmakers 6 Q&A 40 Feltus Taylor 51 Accolades 45 Microbes 57 Distinguished Research Masters 59 Media Shelf NEWS BRIEFS ABOUT THIS ISSUE LSU Research is published annually by the Office of NEWS Research & Economic Development, Louisiana State University, with editorial offices in 134 David F. Boyd Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Any written portion of this Newly Discovered Mineral Named Tracking the Dangers of Vaping publication may be reprinted without permission as long as credit for LSU Research is given. Opinions expressed for LSU Geologist By Sandra Sarr herein do not necessarily reflect those of LSU faculty or administration. By Jonathan Snow When electronic cigarettes made their debut on the market Send correspondence to the Office of Research & Like stars and ships, it is rare about 10 years ago, the general public believed they offered Economic Development at the address above or email a harmless alternative to cigarette smoking. However, that [email protected], call 225-578-5833, and visit us at: for a new mineral to be named lsu.edu/research. For more great research stories, visit: after a living person. However, notion has gone up in smoke as evidence of harmful health lsu.edu/research/news. that honor was accorded effects builds. As of December 2019, more than 2,561 people throughout the U.S. have been hospitalized or died due to lung Louisiana State University and Office of Research to LSU mineralogist Barb & Economic Development Administration Dutrow by the International injuries linked to vaping or e-cigarette use, according to the FROM THE Thomas Galligan, Interim President Mineralogical Association.
    [Show full text]
  • Center Congregational Church
    ■ XP FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2^, 1967 fiinrtwEN Tr ilahrtrpalpr lEttienittg Hrrali) The Herald Wishes a Merry Christmas to Its, Readers him from the road. The other About Town Girl Cuts Foot car did not atop. Town Asked to Provide Lot THINK SMALL 4 1 7 8 4 . 9 0 A car driven by Ronald D. IBBB Va DbUt Net Prase Ron *nitn adu are « tvw relMrva- In Car Mishap Therlairit, 28, of Bristol, was Delivered in L t t a s anrailaM* for the New Mt ^y a car which left the For Post Office Parking 0quln>ed with laatberatta in­ Vlar Ike Weak Baiei The Weather A seven-year-old girl was terior, windahieM wuahar, 2- YMc'a Bv« pMty of FrtanMUp scene. Police say Oie Theriault 6, 1967 Cloudy, ao6d Cctrigbt. Low m Ix l% « o f ICaaona. It will M held slightly injured yesterday after­ car was heading north on TTie lack of public parking The complainant esqSalned q>ee4 electric wipers, haaAar. taena. Bum y a n ) oo4d tetner- deftxwtar, 4-way safety flaabara- a* tha ahrhter'a OaalB CM> in noon when she was hit by a car Adams St. yesterday, when a facilities at Manchester’s Main that the lota are owned by a iJIanrhTBtTr fum ing Bm alh i raw, H4gh tn 80a. Baat tXaiWond. ReservaiUom can career aenricemsm, that the back-up Hlitats, front and rear:; on Winter St. car heading, south and making Post Office, a complaint voiced aaat btfta. 15,563 be made with WUbur Ohadwtck, a turn onto Center St, struck sidewalk la seldom ahoveled.
    [Show full text]
  • Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program
    Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program Revision and update September, 2009 CONTENTS Introduction................................................................................................................................................. 1 2.1 Sustainable Development ........................................................................................................................................ 4 2.1 Watershed as a Planning Unit ................................................................................................................................ 6 2.1 Non-point sources of pollution as a critical issue.......................................................................................... 6 Chapter I. Overview of Puerto Rico’s Coastal Zone .................................................................. 9 1.1 General Physical Characteristics ............................................................................................................................... 9 1.1.1 Origin and composition of the island ....................................................................................................... 9 1.1.2 The Island’s climate ....................................................................................................................................... 10 1.1.3 Natural systems ............................................................................................................................................... 14 1.1.4 Description of coastal sectors ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Statement by the Hon. Luis Muñoz Marín, Governor of The
    - STATEMENT BY THE HON. LUIS MUNOZ MARIN, GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO, BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS, WITH REFERENCE TO S.2023. June 9, 1959. MR. CHAIRMAN, Members of the Committee: I wish to thank the Committee for its interest and courtesy in affording me the opportunity to appear before it in support of s.2023 which embodies the proposals of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, by Joint Resolution No. 2 of its Legislative Assembly, for clarification of the compact exist­ ing between the Federal Union and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and for certain modifications of its provisions. In the name of the Commonwealth, of its Legislature and its people, as well as in my own, I express our deep appreciation to the Committee. The Congress of the United States and the people of - Puerto Rico can feel a legitimate pride in having created the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in having made, in a typically dynamic American way, an adaptation to the federal form of government that encompasses a new, creative termination of a colonial situation for a community beset by economic scarcity; and in doing so by -passing a narrow nationalism as well as an assimilation to what had been the only pattern of the American Union. Puerto Rican conditions were unadaptable to both solu­ tions. A state, in the generic sense of the word (a people ) - 2 - organized politically to govern themselves) was created in 1952 on the basis of an enabling act, approved by the Congress 11 in the nature of a compact 11 and ratified by the people of Puerto Rico at the polls, on the basis of which a constitu­ tional government was established within terms of association with the Federal Union.
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to Puerto Rico
    This page was intentionally left in blank. 2 Table of Contents Chapter 1: An Introduction to Puerto Rico .................................................... 8 1. Historical Overview .......................................................................................................... 8 2. Geography ....................................................................................................................... 8 3. Government Systems ...................................................................................................... 8 4. Demographics.................................................................................................................. 9 5. Language ......................................................................................................................... 9 6. Currency and Monetary Policy ...................................................................................... 10 7. Macroeconomic Overview and Key Indicators ............................................................ 10 A. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ........................................................................... 10 B. Work Force ............................................................................................................ 11 C. External Trade ....................................................................................................... 11 D. Retail Sales.............................................................................................................11 E. Consumer Price Index
    [Show full text]
  • Commonwealth of Puerto Rico : Comprehensive Annual Financial
    Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Year Ended June 30, 2011 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Honorable Luis G. Fortuño Burset Governor Prepared by: Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury Jesús F. Méndez Rodríguez, CPA Secretary of the Treasury Jaysel D. Chevres Santiago, CPA Assistant Secretary of Central Accounting This document is available on the Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury homepage On the World Wide Web: http://www.hacienda.gobierno.pr COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Part I: Introductory Section (Unaudited) LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 1–11 PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS 12 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 13 Part II: Financial Section INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 15–17 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (UNAUDITED) 18–47 BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Government-Wide Financial Statements: Statement of Net Assets (Deficit) 48–49 Statement of Activities 50–51 Fund Financial Statements: Balance Sheet — Governmental Funds 52–53 Reconciliation of the Balance Sheet to the Statement of Net Assets (Deficit) — Governmental Funds 54 Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances (Deficit) — Governmental Funds 55–56 Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances (Deficit) to the Statement of Activities — Governmental Funds 57 Statement of Revenues and Expenditures – Budget and Actual — Budget Basis — General Fund 58 Statement of Net Assets (Deficit) — Proprietary Funds 59 Statement of Revenues,
    [Show full text]