Miguel A. García Méndez
Encyclopedia
Miguel Angel García Méndez (November 17, 1902 - November 17, 1998) was a recognized businessman, lawyer, statesman, and banker in Puerto Rico
. He was a lifelong statehood supporter for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He was known as "El Pitirre" because of his skills in political debates and ability to mesmerize crowds while speaking in public.
. He commenced his law studies in 1917 at the age of 15 in the University of Puerto Rico
. He graduated in 1920 at the age of 19. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
would not license anyone to practice law under the age of 21. He was however, permitted take the bar exam but, was not officially licensed until 1922.
(who was recognized as a proficient criminal practice lawyer). He became a judge in San German
and Sabana Grande
for a short period of time before opening his own law practice in San German.
He became the youngest person to be elected as President of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico
, at the age of 30, starting his first term in 1933. He was reelected for the term of 1937-1941.
In 1939, there was a movement to unify the liberal and the labor party members, dissidents of the Socialist Party
. These movement caused his withdrawal from the Republican Union
Party and his collaboration in the organization of which came to be known as Tripartite Puerto Rican Unification. That same year García Méndez introduced the House Bill 598 creating the Industrial Development Corp. which would promote the economic development of Puerto Rico. The bill was never signed by Gov. Blanton C. Winship
. Three years later however, the Industrial Development Co. was created.
In 1940, he ran as candidate of the Unification for Resident Commissioner
and in 1941 was chosen vice-president of that political collectivity. When this party was dissolved in 1944, he began to organize the Progressive Republican Union Party which in 1948 became the Puerto Rican Statehood Party and in 1953 the Republican Statehood Party. In 1952, he was chosen president of the party and elected in that year's election as Senator at large, position from which he resigned. He was re-elected for the same position in the elections of 1956, 1960, and 1964.
In 1952 the year in which Constitution of Puerto Rico
was adopted, creating the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, García Méndez was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico. In 1956, he founded the Partido Estadista Republicano, the Republican Statehood Party and was a Delegate to the Republican National Convention
from Puerto Rico in 1964.
As head of the Republican Statehood Party, Garcia Mendez boycotted a 1967 vote in Puerto Rico over the island's political relationship with the United States, saying he objected because the results would be non-binding. His position caused a serious division within the party that caused the exit of numerous party members who went on to found the New Progressive Party
, among them his wife's brother-in-law Luis A. Ferre
. The division caused the Party to be dissolved after the 1968 elections when it did not poll the number of votes necessary to retain its party registration.
in chronological order:
1920-1932: Director and Secretary for the Board of Directos of "Banco Caja de Economias y Prestamos de San German".
1937-1940: Member of "Junta de Sindicos" of the University of Puerto Rico.
1940: Presided "Asociacion de Productores de Azucar de Puerto Rico".
Founding Partner of the Banker's Club, Puerto Rico.
García Méndez founded the Western Federal Savings and Loan Association of Puerto Rico (now Westernbank) on March 1, 1958. His grandson Frank C. Stipes is now the president of its Board of Directors.
In the 1960s he co-founded with Efrain Kier the construction company "Atlantic Quality Construction" in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Later on Leon Rubin joined them. The same constructed the Beach Tower and Park Plaza in Isla Verde, the Ashford Imperial in Condado among others.
In the 1970s he bought the newspaper El Imparcial
. The building of said newspaper was destroyed in a fire which causes have never been known, and for that same reason the newspaper was shut down.
.
On 1993 the "Asociacion Productos de Puerto Rico" presents him with the prize named "Industrial Emeritus Antonio R. Barcelo" for his long and brilliant career as an industrialist in Puerto Rico.
On November 17, 1999 the Puerto Rico House of Representatives declared November 17 the official day of Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez.
On a bill passed by United States Congress
there is United States Post Office building in Mayagüez, his hometown, which bears his name. and there is also an avenue "Avenida Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez" in his honor.
Among the other honors are "Paseo Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez" in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
and a statue of him which was placed in the Capitol Building on February 13, 2006
Public law #19 (Ley Núm. 19) of June 16, 2005, permitted the creation of the Miguel Ángel García Méndez Legislative Oratory Prize (Premio Legislativo à la Oratoria Miguel Ángel García Méndez)
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. He was a lifelong statehood supporter for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He was known as "El Pitirre" because of his skills in political debates and ability to mesmerize crowds while speaking in public.
Studies
García Méndez was born in Aguadilla, Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. He commenced his law studies in 1917 at the age of 15 in the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
. He graduated in 1920 at the age of 19. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is the highest court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, having judicial authority within Puerto Rico to interpret and decide questions of Commonwealth law. As the highest body of the judicial branch of the Puerto Rican government, it is analogous to one of the...
would not license anyone to practice law under the age of 21. He was however, permitted take the bar exam but, was not officially licensed until 1922.
Early career
His first job after graduating was in the law office of his brothers Juan B. Garcia Mendez (who had gained a great reputation as a civil practice lawyer) and Manuel A. Garcia MendezManuel A. Garcia Mendez
Manuel A. García Méndez was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. He was a recognized businessman, lawyer, and politician.-Family:He came from a numerous family, in which several siblings were recognized politicians in Puerto Rico. Among them were Miguel A. García Méndez and Juan B...
(who was recognized as a proficient criminal practice lawyer). He became a judge in San German
San Germán, Puerto Rico
San Germán is a municipality located in the southwestern region of Puerto Rico, south of Mayagüez and Maricao; north of Lajas; east of Hormigueros and Cabo Rojo; and west of Sabana Grande. San Germán is spread over 18 wards and San Germán Pueblo...
and Sabana Grande
Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico
Sabana Grande is a municipality of Puerto Rico located north of Lajas and Guánica; south of Maricao; east of San Germán; and west of Yauco. Sabana Grande is spread over seven wards and Sabana Grande Pueblo...
for a short period of time before opening his own law practice in San German.
Political career
García Méndez was a member of the Puerto Rican Alliance and in the elections of 1928, was elected to the House of Representatives by the electoral district 18. By 1932, he was a member of the Republican Union Party and was named to the first Territorial Executive Committee of the Republican Union Party . In the elections of that year he was re-elected to the House of Representatives by the same district. In the following elections he was re-elected to the House. This time as an at-large candidate (state-wide).He became the youngest person to be elected as President of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico
House of Representatives of Puerto Rico
The House of Representatives of Puerto Rico is the lower house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico...
, at the age of 30, starting his first term in 1933. He was reelected for the term of 1937-1941.
In 1939, there was a movement to unify the liberal and the labor party members, dissidents of the Socialist Party
Socialist Party (Puerto Rico)
The Socialist Party was a political party in Puerto Rico.It was founded as the Labor Party in 1900 by Santiago Iglesias Pantín, an early leader of the Puerto Rican labor movement who was influenced by the Socialist Labor Party of America. It was formally refounded as the PS on March 21, 1915, in...
. These movement caused his withdrawal from the Republican Union
Republican Union
The Republican Union was a pro-statehood political party in Puerto Rico.The Republican Union was founded in 1932 from the merging of the Pure Republican Party and the conservative wing of the Alianza...
Party and his collaboration in the organization of which came to be known as Tripartite Puerto Rican Unification. That same year García Méndez introduced the House Bill 598 creating the Industrial Development Corp. which would promote the economic development of Puerto Rico. The bill was never signed by Gov. Blanton C. Winship
Blanton C. Winship
Major General Blanton C. Winship was a military lawyer and veteran of both the Spanish-American war and World War I. During his long career, he served both as Judge Advocate General of the United States Army and as the Governor of Puerto Rico....
. Three years later however, the Industrial Development Co. was created.
In 1940, he ran as candidate of the Unification for Resident Commissioner
Resident Commissioner
Resident Commissioner is the title of several, quite different types of Commissioner in overseas possession or protectorate of the British Crown or of the United States.-British English:...
and in 1941 was chosen vice-president of that political collectivity. When this party was dissolved in 1944, he began to organize the Progressive Republican Union Party which in 1948 became the Puerto Rican Statehood Party and in 1953 the Republican Statehood Party. In 1952, he was chosen president of the party and elected in that year's election as Senator at large, position from which he resigned. He was re-elected for the same position in the elections of 1956, 1960, and 1964.
In 1952 the year in which Constitution of Puerto Rico
Constitution of Puerto Rico
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the controlling government document of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is composed of nine articles detailing the structure of the government as well as the function of several of its institutions. The document also contains an extensive...
was adopted, creating the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, García Méndez was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico. In 1956, he founded the Partido Estadista Republicano, the Republican Statehood Party and was a Delegate to the Republican National Convention
1964 Republican National Convention
The 1964 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States took place in the Cow Palace, San Francisco, California, on July 13 to July 16, 1964. Before 1964, there had only been one national Republican convention on the West Coast...
from Puerto Rico in 1964.
As head of the Republican Statehood Party, Garcia Mendez boycotted a 1967 vote in Puerto Rico over the island's political relationship with the United States, saying he objected because the results would be non-binding. His position caused a serious division within the party that caused the exit of numerous party members who went on to found the New Progressive Party
New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
The New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that advocates for Puerto Rico's admission to the United States of America as the 51st state...
, among them his wife's brother-in-law Luis A. Ferre
Luis A. Ferré
Don Luis Alberto Ferré Aguayo was a Puerto Rican engineer, industrialist, politician, philanthropist, and a patron of the arts. He was the third Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1969 to 1973, and the founding father of the New Progressive Party which advocates for Puerto Rico...
. The division caused the Party to be dissolved after the 1968 elections when it did not poll the number of votes necessary to retain its party registration.
Businessman
The following are García Méndez's business endeavorsin chronological order:
1920-1932: Director and Secretary for the Board of Directos of "Banco Caja de Economias y Prestamos de San German".
1937-1940: Member of "Junta de Sindicos" of the University of Puerto Rico.
1940: Presided "Asociacion de Productores de Azucar de Puerto Rico".
Founding Partner of the Banker's Club, Puerto Rico.
García Méndez founded the Western Federal Savings and Loan Association of Puerto Rico (now Westernbank) on March 1, 1958. His grandson Frank C. Stipes is now the president of its Board of Directors.
In the 1960s he co-founded with Efrain Kier the construction company "Atlantic Quality Construction" in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Later on Leon Rubin joined them. The same constructed the Beach Tower and Park Plaza in Isla Verde, the Ashford Imperial in Condado among others.
In the 1970s he bought the newspaper El Imparcial
El Imparcial
El Imparcial, founded in 1918, was a Puerto Rican newspaper.In the 1970s Miguel A. García Méndez bought the newspaper. The building where the newspaper was run then was destroyed by political sabotage in a fire...
. The building of said newspaper was destroyed in a fire which causes have never been known, and for that same reason the newspaper was shut down.
Written works
- Puerto Rico, Eslabon de las Americas.
- La Universidad de Puerto Rico como Universidad Panamericana.
- Cartas al Pueblo.
- La Solucion al Status Politico Final de Puerto Rico.
Personal life
He married Fredeswinda Ramirez de Arellano Bartoli on June 25, 1926 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. He had two daughters, Ileana and Fredewsinda. García Méndez died on November 17, 1998, his 96th birthday, in Mayagüez, Puerto RicoMayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
.
Honors
In 1920 upon graduating from the University of Puerto Rico he received a prize from the University of Princeton for his thesis on Constitutional Law.On 1993 the "Asociacion Productos de Puerto Rico" presents him with the prize named "Industrial Emeritus Antonio R. Barcelo" for his long and brilliant career as an industrialist in Puerto Rico.
On November 17, 1999 the Puerto Rico House of Representatives declared November 17 the official day of Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez.
On a bill passed by United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
there is United States Post Office building in Mayagüez, his hometown, which bears his name. and there is also an avenue "Avenida Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez" in his honor.
Among the other honors are "Paseo Miguel Angel Garcia Mendez" in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Aguadilla , founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova, is a city located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, north of Aguada, and Moca and west of Isabela. Aguadilla is spread over 15 wards and Aguadilla Pueblo...
and a statue of him which was placed in the Capitol Building on February 13, 2006
Public law #19 (Ley Núm. 19) of June 16, 2005, permitted the creation of the Miguel Ángel García Méndez Legislative Oratory Prize (Premio Legislativo à la Oratoria Miguel Ángel García Méndez)
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of political parties in Puerto Rico
- Politics of Puerto RicoPolitics of Puerto RicoThe politics of Puerto Rico take place in the framework of a republican democratic form of government that is under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United States of America as an organized unincorporated territory....
External links
- Obituary in The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...