Esta ley designa la sección de la Carretera PR-2 entre Dorado y Quebradillas en el Distrito de Arecibo con el nombre de Juan J. Cancel Ríos, en reconocimiento a su servicio público y contribuciones a Puerto Rico.
(Approved January 5, 2003)
To establish that the section of Highway PR-2 between Dorado and Quebradillas in the Arecibo District shall be designated with the name of Juan J. Cancel Ríos.
The People of Puerto Rico have distinguished themselves through their history for the work and altruistic efforts of their men and women. These great human beings have worked for our Island with the commitment and conviction that contribute to the full development of our country. Politics, art, education, science, and sports, among others, have been fields of action where one finds examples worthy of following. Among these illustrious men and women we cannot forget Juan J. Cancel Ríos, a symbol of the untiring fight in favor of the welfare of the Puerto Rican people.
Juan J. Cancel Ríos was a dedicated public servant of extraordinary sensitivity, who at the same time possessed a fine sense of humor. He was a Puerto Rican of an exemplary life, within and outside of the political arena. He was born in the Municipality of Barceloneta on August 26, 1925. Son of Mr. Juan Cancel Matos and Salustiana Ríos. He was the oldest of four siblings: Raúl, Elfraín and Alicia. Married to Carmen L. Alegría Estela, they had three children: the current Senator for the Carolina District, Juan Andrés Cancel Alegría, and attorneys María Cancel Alegría and Carmen
Cancel Alegría. They have shown themselves to be citizens of honor and respect through their work, in public as well as in private life.
Juan J. Cancel Ríos pursued his grade level education at the Rafael Balseiro Maceira School, in his native town. He attended José Severo Quiñones High School in Manatí, where he graduated in 1944. In 1945, he was admitted to the University of Puerto Rico. These studies were interrupted when he was called for military service in the United States after World War II. Discharged honorably from the army in 1947, he recommenced his university studies obtaining a bachelor degree in Social Sciences. In 1953, he graduated with a Juris Doctor in Law degree from our first learning center. Admitted to the Bar, this young attorney opened his law firm in his hometown.
He formally began his political career in 1956, when he applied for, and was elected, to the Municipal Assembly of his town, presiding over the same for the following four years. At the beginning of the 60's, he was elected representative to the Chamber for the Representative District of the municipalities Manatí-Barceloneta. In the General Assembly of the Popular Democratic Party in Mayaguez, in 1964, he was appointed to the Presidential Panel and that same year he was nominated and elected Senator for the Senate District of Arecibo, a position which he occupied until 1980. Due to his exemplary loyalty, his leadership and spirit of service, he was appointed Presidential Delegate of his Party from 1969 to 1971, when he assumed the task of reorganization after the defeat of 1968, giving proof of his organizational talent and capacity. In 1969, in his Party's General Assembly he was appointed to the position of Vice-President and that same year his colleagues promoted him to the Senate's Vice-Presidency. When this High Body was constituted in 1973, he advanced to the First Magistrate
of the Senate, establishing a precedent because he became the first President of the Senate to be elected by the District.
Having retired from the political world, he was recruited on September 8, 1987 to preside over the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League. That was a "hot seat," because the Institution was in an organizational and economic crisis, in a constant dispute between the owners of the teams and the public's retreat from baseball games. The team owners unanimously appointed him. The country's press stressed his appointment and the respected sports journalist Rai García wrote, praising the nominee in a newspaper article's headline saying, "It was like finding a needle in a haystack."
This good Puerto Rican always showed his deep love for his native town through his firm commitment to its development. The achievements and work of Juan J. Cancel Ríos won him national esteem, leaving an important in our hearts. Among his best traits one finds his capacity for searching for harmony among the parties. As President of the Senate, President of the Council for Employment Training, the advising body to the Executive in the area of education, employment and training, and later as President of the Professional Baseball League, he always tried to build consensus, to accommodate everyone's requests, with a firmness that defines a leader. His respect for his opponents, whom he always treated justly, with deference, and fellowship, was one of his best qualities. He always had a high opinion of friendship and loyalty towards his people. Even in times of illness, he kept in mind the discharge of his duties, public as well as private.
Juan J. Cancel Ríos departed on August 26, 1992, the same day he would turn seventy-seven years old, after a life dedicated to serving the motherland, to which he dedicated his best years. The Governor of Puerto
Rico, The Honorable Don Rafael Hernández Colón said, "Juanito has left us. A good Puerto Rican. In his heart, he carried this land, its culture, what we are ... He was a whole person."
This Legislature deems it necessary to honor those who are so deserving. Juan J. Cancel Ríos was a leader who worked tirelessly for Puerto Rico and who left very deep imprints through his contributions to Puerto Rican history and society.
Section 1.- It is hereby established that the section of Highway PR-2 between Dorado and Quebradillas in the Arecibo District be designated with the name of Juan J. Cancel Ríos.
Section 2.- The Buildings and Public Roads Designating Committee of the Puerto Rico Institute of Culture shall take the necessary steps to comply with the requirements of this Act, without being subject to the norms of Act No. 99 of June 22, 1961, as amended.
Section 3.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 70 (S.B. 1937) of the $4^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to establish that the section of Highway PR-2 between Dorado and Quebradillas in the Arecibo District shall be designated with the name of Juan J. Cancel Ríos, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $9^{ ext {th }}$ of March of 2004.
Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director