(S. B. 680) (No. 105) (Approved April 10, 2003) AN ACT To establish an annual award in the Legislature to be denominated as the Rafael Hernández Colón Youth Medal, for the purpose of recognizing a youth who is distinguished by his/her leadership and contribution to Puerto Rican society; to create the Joint Legislative Commission for the Awarding of the Rafael Hernández Colón Youth Medal and to provide the funds that shall be used for such purpose. STATEMENT OF MOTIVES The Legislature of Puerto Rico wishes to award this recognition to a youth whose leadership has served as motivation and example to others for the purpose of recognizing the great contribution of our youth to society. This promotes sound development and bolsters the integration of youth to our society. The Rafael Hernández Colón Youth Medal shall bear this name, for during his life this illustrious Puerto Rican was distinguished among other things, by being appointed Secretary of Justice in 1965, when he was 28 years of age; President of the Senate of Puerto Rico in 1969, when he was 32 years old; and by being elected as the youngest Governor in the history of Puerto Rico in 1972 when he was only 36 years of age. Therefore, the Legislature, wishes to recognize the contribution of youth to our society in this way.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF PUERTO RICO: Section 1.- An award denominated as the Rafael Hernández Colón Youth Medal is hereby established to recognize an outstanding youth that through his/her leadership has made an exemplary contribution to our society. Section 2.- Said recognition shall be awarded annually during the month of June (the Puerto Rican Youth Month) to youths between 14 to 30 years of age. Section 3.- This recognition may be awarded to deceased persons who were outstanding during their life. In this case it shall be presented to his/her family members. Section 4.- The award shall consist of a bronze medal engraved with the face of Rafael Hernández Colón, and inscribed: Rafael Hernández Colón Youth Medal. The reverse shall bear the name of the youth being recognized and the year of the award. The medal shall hang from a red (Senate) and green (House of Representatives), symbolic of the Legislative Bodies. Section 5.- The Joint Commission of the Legislature for the Rafael Hernández Colón Youth Medal Award is hereby established. It shall be composed of elven (11) members; five (5) of each Legislative Body, appointed by the Presiding officer of each of the Bodies; three (3) of whom shall belong to the party with legislative majority in its respective Body and the other two (2) members shall belong to each one of the legislative minority parties. One of the three (3) members belonging to the majority party in its respective Body shall preside the Youth Affairs Committee, in the House of Representatives as well as the Senate of Puerto Rico; the eleventh (11 th ) member shall be the last youth to receive the prize, with the exception of the first year, when he/she shall be selected by a majority of its ten (10) Committee members appointed by the Presiding officers of both Legislative Bodies..
Section 6.- The Commission shall receive nominations for candidates, recommended by private citizens, agencies or organizations, schools and universities. Section 7.- The Committee shall be presided by one of the Presidents of the Youth Affairs Committee of the legislative bodies, who shall take turns every four years, beginning with the Senate of Puerto Rico. Section 8.- The Commission is empowered to adopt rules for its functioning. Section 9.- The expenses of the Commission shall be charged to the budgets of each body, equally. Section 10.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
CERTIFICATION I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 105 (S.B. 680) of the 5 th Session of the 14 th Legislature of Puerto Rico: AN ACT to establish an annual award in the Legislature to be denominated as the Rafael Hernández Colón Youth Medal, for the purpose of recognizing a youth who is distinguished by his/her leadership and contribution to Puerto Rican society; to create the Joint Legislative Commission for the Awarding of the Rafael Hernández Colón Youth Medal and to provide the funds that shall be used for such purpose, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today 30 th of April of 2004. Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director