AN ACT (S. B. 1681) (No ) (Approved October 6, 2010)

Transcription

1 (S. B. 1681) (No ) (Approved October 6, 2010) AN ACT To declare the 7 th day of October of each year as Kindness Day in Puerto Rico, in order to raise awareness in our People about the need to treat others with respect, kindness, and courtesy; and to promote tolerance and mutual respect. STATEMENT OF MOTIVES Contemporary Puerto Rico is living through tumultuous times due to the political and social polarization that prevails among our People. It is true that this situation is not exclusive to our Island, for there is consensus that this is a worldwide crisis, but it is also true that such crisis has significantly affected our beloved Island. We have witnessed this in the critical rise of domestic, street, and criminal violence, as well as violence arising from differences in ideology, religion, and even sports. Sports, which once embodied unity and wholesome entertainment, now cause hostile disagreements and scathing arguments. The whole history of humankind has been turbulent, filled with social, political, religious, and economic division, among others. Moreover, it is said that there has never been a single year in which humankind has lived in peace, without any kind of conflict or war fought somewhere in the world. Ours are difficult times, caused by a serious worldwide economic crisis and its well-known consequences unemployment, suicides, impoverishment, the rising cost of services and consumer goods, and shortages, among others.

2 However, we always felt fortunate for being born in this blessed Island, precisely for the solidarity, kindness, and courtesy that characterizes our People. Our values made us regard conflicts based on ethnicity (Yugoslavia or Rwanda in the 1990s), religion (Northern Ireland), or political ideology (the Vietnam and Korean Wars), among many others, with perplexity. We considered ourselves fortunate in the face of conflicts anywhere in the world. We would look on with a heavy heart, but also with relief that these were happening far away and did not affect our most treasured tradition of tolerance and respect. Though Puerto Rico has lived through conflicts that are similar to or worse than those we face today, the Island was able to maintain unity of purpose, harmony, and union among its People. This is probably due to our strong Christian roots, our characteristic solidarity (repeatedly evidenced by our openhanded support to countries stricken by natural disasters) and the value that we have placed on family unity as the nucleus of society. In the past few years, however, the economic and social crisis, among other factors, has caused despair, anxiety, hopelessness, and even hostility. The effects of social evils bring frustration. We have not yet realized that this is a global issue that should not alter the basis of our characteristic solidarity. Likewise, we have seen how recent events have pitted Puerto Ricans against one another, and even worse, made them lose respect for differences of opinion, the diversity of ideas, or the rights of others. It was precisely a notable Mexican, Don Benito Juárez, who said: Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace. Don Luis A. Ferré immortalized a phrase that sums up what the Puerto Rican character should aim for: Reason does not yell; reason convinces. On the other hand, one of the most unfortunate and harmful manifestations of unkindness is, precisely, the abuse of our children and women (domestic and

3 gender violence). It is harmful because its devastating effects can last a lifetime, and in turn, breed potential abusers. It is also harmful because those effects have a negative impact on family members, friends, acquaintances, and the entire community. For these reasons, it becomes necessary to provide a positive vision to counteract abuse and to uproot this evil by treating each other right. We should counter violent statements with gentle statements; hands that deal blows with hands that caress; lips that yell insults with lips that join together in a tender kiss. To the extent that we show kindness to our parents, relatives, neighbors, friends, strangers, and fellow citizens in general, we encourage the display of kindness to our children, our mothers, and everyone. Today, we must redirect the course of our Island toward tolerance and mutual respect; toward the valuation of human life and the rights of others; and toward treating others with fairness, kindness, and deference, which are absolutely essential aspects for human beings to achieve good communication and understanding. François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, has been credited with saying: I disapprove with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Such capacity for tolerance and respect is needed now more than ever. Today, as never before, we want our People to be aware of the pressing need to come to a halt and express solidarity, support, and kindness in a firm and unequivocal manner. It is time to plant kindness in the minds and hearts of our People so that it becomes a part of the everyday life of every Puerto Rican. Only by raising greater social awareness about the value of mutual respect, kindness, and understanding shall we be able to regain the unity of purpose and fellowship that has always been so characteristic of us as a people. In observing Kindness Day, we are confident that a forceful and clear message shall be conveyed regarding the need to bring respect and peace back into our society, far beyond any religious, social, ethnic,

4 political, or any other kind of differences. Kindness Day is the first and right step in this direction. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF PUERTO RICO: Section 1. The 7 th day of October of each year is hereby declared as the Kindness Day in Puerto Rico, in order to raise awareness in our People about the need to treat others with respect, kindness, and courtesy. Section 2. The Department of State of Puerto Rico, together with the Department of the Family, shall establish any necessary programs and policies to carry out and meet the purposes of this Act. This includes entering into collaboration agreements with for-profit or nonprofit private institutions that represent the principal sectors of the Island, such as the religious or faith-based sector and nonprofit institutions dedicated to family and social unity. Section 3. The aforementioned agencies shall be responsible for creating a promotional and informational program, as well as for providing information in printed form or through radio or television, so as to make Kindness Day publicly known and emphasize its importance. Section 4. The agencies designated herein to carry out the purposes of this Act shall conduct an awareness activity on the 7 th day of October each year, in collaboration with the private sector. Section 5. The agencies designated by this Act may use the services of the radio and television stations of the Government of Puerto Rico, as well as the printing services of the agencies, in order to promote the observance of the day designated herein. Section 6. This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.

5 CERTIFICATION I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No (S. B. 1681) of the 4 th Session of the 16 th Legislature of Puerto Rico: AN ACT to declare the 7 th day of October of each year as Kindness Day in Puerto Rico, in order to raise awareness in our People about the need to treat others with respect, kindness, and courtesy; and to promote tolerance and mutual respect. has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, on the 30 th day of January, Juan Luis Martínez Martínez Acting Director