Esta ley solicita a la Comisión Denominadora de Estructuras Públicas y Carreteras de Puerto Rico que estudie la posibilidad de nombrar la nueva escuela del Barrio Pulguillas en el Municipio de Coamo en honor a "Sabino Rivera-Berríos", reconociendo su contribución a la educación y la comunidad.
(Approved December 17, 2003)
To request the Public Structures and Highways Denominating Commission of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to study the possibility of naming the new school of the Barrio Pulguillas in the Municipality of Coamo after "Sabino Rivera-Berríos."
Don Sabino Rivera-Berríos was born on January 13, 1923 from the union in matrimony of Mr. Serafín Rivera and Mrs. Inocencia Berrios. He was lovingly welcomed by his sisters Ana María, Rosa María and his brothers Carmelo, Miguel, and Pablo. The serious financial situation was an obstacle to pursue studies, but Don Sabino was able overcome the same. He studied his grade school in Hacienda Caratini School of Pulguillas; always committed to overcome difficulties. Subsequently, he obtained his intermediate education in Segunda Unidad Asomante. His desire to excel and become a useful person motivated him to complete the ninth grade. In 1946, he married with Mrs. Esperanza Rivera, his inseparable and loving companion, who supported him in all his decisions on his road to success. In 1950, he enlisted in the Army of United States of America to support his family and to continue his studies later on; always thinking of making his dreams come true.
When he returned from the Army where he had the opportunity to learn and gain experiences which helped him mature, he continued high school
studies in the High School of the Municipality of Aibonito. He decides to make use of the veterans' benefits for studying, and began to attend the Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Ponce Campus. The virtue of patience that graced in his personality, helped him to overcome obstacles on his road to success. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, what he wanted the most: "to become a teacher." He fully carried out the teaching profession by sharing and teaching his classes with the compromise and devotion that always characterized him. He considered his student his sons and daughters, to whom he gave advice and guided with devotion and determination. In addition to teaching knowledge and skills, he embedded in the heart of his students an unselfish and kind spirit through love and great charity. His work as teacher was of excellence, since he worked untiringly to teach his students the skills and values that human beings need to attain happiness and success. Professor Rivera-Berríos showed a great compromise toward his school, thus any work to be done in the same he did it regardless the time it could take, even after school hours. Many were the hours that Míster Rivera, as he was better known, devoted to teaching his students, who still remember him with great love and admiration. The mark left by Míster Rivera on his students was so deep that today, years after his death, a group of them have gathered to perpetuate his memory by requesting that the school of their community be named after him.
His social work was extraordinary, because he was the type of human being that was always at the unconditional service of the needs of our residents. He was the person that was always willing to offer his voluntarily services for the well-being of others. His willingness to help was incredible.
Don Sabino Rivera-Berríos was an enlightened person who lived his life sewing seeds of peace, harmony, love, understanding, patience, care,
strength, friendship, service, compromise, justice, humbleness, communication, and great devotion. God endowed him with great qualities, knowledge, and intelligence, which are true sources of wisdom, because at the same time he taught skills, he instilled the most significant human values and highest feelings on his students. After his retirement as teacher, he continued strive and work hard for the well-being of his beloved family and community.
Professor Sabino Rivera-Berríos was an exemplary Puerto Rican who contributed, throughout his life, to the education and progress of the people of the Barrio Pulguillas of the Municipality of Coamo. His legacy must remain alive in the memory of all citizens.
It is for these reasons that we propose this bill to acknowledge the contribution of Don Sabino Rivera-Berríos.
Section 1.- To request the Public Structures and Highways Denominating Commission of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to study the possibility of naming the new school of the Barrio Pulguillas in the Municipality of Coamo after "Sabino Rivera-Berrios."
Section 2.- 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. 2982) of the $6^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to request the Public Structures and Highways Denominating Commission of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to study the possibility of naming the new school of the Barrio Plaguillas in the Municipality of Coamo after "Sabino Rivera-Berríos," has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $27^{ ext {th }}$ of October of 2004.
Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director