Esta ley declara la tercera semana de noviembre de cada año y el miércoles de esa semana como la "Semana del Árbitro" y el "Día del Árbitro", respectivamente, para reconocer la labor de los árbitros deportivos en Puerto Rico.
(Approved December 25, 2002)
To declare the third week of November of each year and the Wednesday of said week as the "Referee's Week" and "Referee's Day," respectively.
At present there are thirty-five competitive sports practiced in Puerto Rico which have the endorsement of the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico and the government agencies that in one way or another, are in charge of the formative phases of sports.
The referees who work in the competitions of these sports disciplines are designated by the corresponding federation. Referees are responsible for keeping order on the field, according to the regulations that have been adopted to effect. They are fair mediators between two contending parties. Given the competitive nature of these sports and the quick plays or action developed in the same, referees are forced to make decisions that involve their interpretation of plays, which brings about arguments by the losing team. Nevertheless, the corresponding federations have provided appeals mechanism for these cases.
It must be indicated that the experience gained in the many tight decisions which have been made on countless occasions, has been a determining factor in the clear realization of the intrinsic value of the referee. The general perception is that referees project an image of preeminent virtue, thus personifying truth and justice. That virtue is knowledge,
in addition to what it implies, is something of incalculable value for the orderly development of the game.
For all that has been stated above, it is necessary to designate the third week of November of each year and Wednesday of said week as the "Referee's Week" and "Referee's Day," respectively, to pay a tribute of congeniality and admiration to these sports officials.
Section 1.- The third week of November of each year and Wednesday of said week are hereby declared as the "Referee's Week" and "Referee's Day," respectively.
Section 2.- The Governor shall issue a proclamation in the news media of the Island, exhorting the people of Puerto Rico to render a tribute of appreciation and admiration to these officials of our sports during their week and on their day.
Section 3.- The Sports and Recreation Department, together with the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico and other competent government agencies shall plan and develop pertinent activities for this week.
Section 4.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 307 (H.B. 2528) of the $4^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to declare the third week of November of each year and the Wednesday of said week as the "Referee's Week" and "Referee's Day," respectively, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $30^{ ext {th }}$ of September of 2004.
Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director