Esta ley declara el 22 de diciembre de cada año como el "Día de la Bandera de Caimito", estableciendo su diseño y significado, y exhortando a su conmemoración.
(Approved February 14, 2004)
To declare and establish the $22^{ ext {nd }}$ day of December of each year as "Caimito Flag Day."
The people of Puerto Rico have been consistent in the stating of their pride and admiration for the patriotic symbols that serve as a means to identify our values, principles and foundations. Of course, our Flag is the symbol "par excellence" within the numerous instruments we have treasured and admired in special way throughout our history as a people.
Specifically, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in its Article VI, Section 15, provides that it is the Legislature that shall determine all matters concerning the Flag, the Coat of Arms and the National Anthem of Puerto Rico. Therefore, upon the constitution of the General Powers of Government, Act No. 1 of July 24, 1952, the exact description of our Flag of the Commonwealth was established, its use as political insignia was prohibited, and the Secretary of State was empowered to regulate other uses of the Flag.
On the other hand, the Day of the Flag, Hymn and Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was established through Act No. 68 of May 28, 1976, and it was provided that the Governor should issue a Proclamation for the celebration of this day, and that the Director of the Institute of Culture and the Secretary of Education would be in charge of implementing this Act.
It is important to indicate that the municipalities of the country, as well as the communities of broad extension and identification have opted to select a flag or hymn that represents their unique nature, development and history.
Barrio Caimito which is located in the Municipality of San Juan, has been a community with its own characteristics that fill the residents and neighbors of this sector with pride. They share the "bread of learning" in the public schools of the community, they have their State Police Station, they enjoy the activities of Centro Cultural Caimito, Inc., and even more important, they have developed an awareness of protection and proper use of the lands comprised by this Ward, which is precisely one of the few sites of the Capital City in which one may enjoy the characteristic verdure of the native land.
Thus, the initiative of the Board of Directors of Centro Cultural Caimito, Inc., was born to establish a shield to represent the beloved Caimito Ward. After several meetings, sharing ideas on how and which would be the parts to make up the shield, they decided with the consensus of all the members of the Board, which colors and shapes would be fitting.
The chosen shape was a rectangle, composed of three stripes of equal size, which means that all are equal, and no one is superior or inferior to the other. Specifically, the yellow stripe on top symbolizes, the Peace that they must always keep in their hearts; the white stripe, in the center, means the purity of their culture, of the sensibility of human beings, and their love for their beloved Ward; the green stripe at the bottom, last but not less in importance, symbolizes the hope that every human beings should have, and should never be lost. The "Caimito" tree on the white stripe, represents their beloved Caimito Ward; the River with its Stones on the same white stripe, represents the former Municipality of Río Piedras, to which Caimito Ward belonged at the time it was founded.
The "Caimito Flag" was raised for the first time in the installations of Centro
Cultural Caimito, Inc., on December 22, 2000, along with our Puerto Rican Flag, on the commemoration of the $105^{ ext {th }}$ anniversary of the national insignia. Today, all the people of Caimito have two flags of which they feel extremely proud and honored to always keep them raised.
By declaring and proclaiming the $22^{ ext {nd }}$ day of December of each year as "Caimito Flag Day," the tradition of rendering homage to a Ward that in diverse forms and ways has assumed its historical responsibility in our country in defense of our culture and our precious natural resources would be established. For future generations, it will serve as a remembrance and evidence of the commitment of this Ward as the buttress of the struggles of the communities to improve their quality of life.
Section 1.- To declare and establish the $22^{ ext {nd }}$ day of December of each year as "Caimito Flag Day."
Section 2.- It is hereby provided that the design of choice for the "Caimito Flag" is rectangular and consists of three stripes of the same size. The meaning of said stripes is: the yellow stripe on the top, symbolizes the Peace that they shall always keep in their hearts; the white stripe, in the middle, means the purity of their culture, of the sense of being human, and the love of their beloved Ward; the green stripe at the bottom symbolizes the hopes that all human beings should treasure, and should never lose. The "Caimito" tree on the white stripe, represents their beloved Caimito Ward; the river and its stones on the same white stripe, represents the extinct Municipality of Río Piedras, to which Caimito Ward belonged at the time of its foundation.
Section 3.- The Governor of Puerto Rico shall exhort the people of Puerto Rico, through a proclamation, to commemorate the $22^{ ext {nd }}$ of December of each year as the "Caimito Flag Day."
Section 4.- The Puerto Rico Institute of Culture and the Department of Education shall adopt the necessary measures to fulfill the purposes of this Act by organizing and holding official activities that recognize and give significance to the contribution of the residents of Caimito to our community life, as well as of those institutions or public or private entities, that have procured outstanding services or assistance in behalf of the Puerto Rican community located in this Ward.
Section 5.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 61 (H.B. 3927) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to declare and establish the $22^{ ext {nd }}$ day of December of each year as "Caimito Flag Day, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today 2nd of June of 2005.
Luis E. Fusté-Lacourt Director