Esta ley designa el mes de noviembre como el "Mes de la Educación Especial en Puerto Rico" y el segundo viernes de noviembre de cada año como el "Día del Maestro de Educación Especial en Puerto Rico", reconociendo la labor de estos profesionales.
(Approved February 22, 2003)
To designate the month of November as the "Special Education Month in Puerto Rico" and the second Friday of the month of November of each year as the "Special Education Teacher's Day in Puerto Rico."
One of the main responsibilities of the State towards its citizens is education. To educate is a mandate that we all have by divine delegation. The Puerto Rican teachers have been the recipients of great benefits in years past, thanks to the sincere commitment of the Government of Puerto Rico toward those who impart education.
There are some very special teachers in our country. Special, because their teaching skills have been learned in order to help those who, among all the students in the system, need it the most; special, because their main qualities are tolerance and patience; special, because they know that the results to be obtained do not arrive quickly, but each step forward is great; special, because as well as teachers, they are friends, social workers, counselors, and parents; special, because their devotion to education is pure love; special, because the children they educate are special. These are the special education teachers.
Special education teachers are certainly special and, yes, they are also unique. The month of November is acknowledged as the Special Education
Month in Puerto Rico. This enactment intends to designate the second Friday of the month of November of each year as the Special Education Teacher's Day in Puerto Rico, to acknowledge and support special education teachers in our country, who with so much love and sacrifice, give their very best to help the development and integration of children who participate in the Puerto Rico Department of Special Education Program, so that in the future they can be self-sufficient, as well as useful citizens for the benefit of our Island.
The Legislature of Puerto Rico hereby acknowledges the merits of the social contribution that special education teachers offer in our country and, therefore, recommends the designation of the Special Education Teacher's Day.
Section 1.- To designate the month of November as "Special Education Month in Puerto Rico" and the second Friday of the month of November of each year as the "Special Education Teacher's Day in Puerto Rico."
Section 2.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 76 (H.B. 739) of the $5^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to designate the month of November as the "Special Education Month in Puerto Rico" and the second Friday of the month of November of each year as the "Special Education Teacher's Day in Puerto Rico," has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $3^{ ext {rd }}$ of March of 2004.
Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director