(H.B. 4571) (No. 156) (Approved June 23, 2004) AN ACT To declare and establish that the 17 th day of July of every year shall be the Day of Excellence in the Development of the Puerto Rican Endeavor, on occasion of commemorating the birthday of maestro and ex-director of the Puerto Rico State Band, Don Angel Lito Peña. STATEMENT OF MOTIVES The achievements of Puerto Ricans in diverse fields of our social and cultural endeavor are a reason for all citizens to be proud and feel satisfaction. It also constitutes a sample of the capability and sensibility that makes us stand out as a People. Music, within the tapestry of artistic activities, excels as a medium through which to express the dreams, aspirations and desires that we wish to attain as a civilized society. The life and work of a prodigal son of the city of Humacao, Don Angel Lito Peña, who was born on July 17 th, 1921, excelled because he went beyond being considered a famous and prolific musician, but also for being a great gentleman in his public and private life, him being the ambassador par excellence of our values, principles and culture throughout the world. Don Lito was raised within an extended family, him being the fifth (5 th ) among nine (9) children born to the marriage of Juan Peña Reyes and Bertha Plaza. He married Doña Thelma Berdiel Pujols, with which he procreated three children, by the names of Angel (Cuco) Peña also a
distinguished musician, Dr. Thelma Mercedes Peña Berdiel, and Hilda N. Peña Berdiel, who sadly passed on during her childhood. Inheriting the taste for and the musical tradition of his Father, he begins his formal studies in that field at a very early age with instruments such as the clarinet, the saxophone and the piano, at which time he became the organ player of the Church which he attended in his beloved Humacao. By 1963, Maestro Peña is admitted into the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory to study harmony with Spanish composer Julián Bautista, said education being the foundation for his success as an excellent composer and arranger. Likewise, he reorganized and directed the Puerto Rico State Band, attached to the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, for eighteen (18) years (1984-2002), taking said Band to levels of excellence that gained it recognition in and outside of Puerto Rico. This Director par excellence was recognized for both his triumphs and efforts as the leader of the band, as well as in the popular music spheres for his work with the legendary Orquesta Panamericana. In addition, he made orchestrations from the music of various Puerto Rican artists and composers, among which are: Juan Morell Campos, Rafael Hernández, Héctor Campos Parsi and José Enrique Pedreira, as well as for the orchestras of César Concepción and the Orquesta Panamericana. He collaborated as an arranger of the Symphonic and Philharmonic Orchestras of Puerto Rico and was a member ad honorem of the Board of Directors of the Scenic-Musical Arts Corporation of Puerto Rico. He cultivated cultured, folkloric, popular, and commercial music, as well as music for the cinema, incorporating therein a modern musical language with nationalist roots. For this reason, his musical legacy and talent are an essential part of our collective history. In each note delivered by an orchestra, in each note
ringing in a song, there shall be the clear memory of a Puerto Rican who offered himself entirely to the heart and soul of our homeland. Maestro Angel Lito Peña made his earthly departure on Sunday, June 9, 2002, when he joined the heavenly choirs in order to direct from that post the orchestra that so blesses this island. Don Lito Peña shall continue to be a true memorial of the humility, hospitality, helpfulness, and above all, concern with the common good that Puerto Ricans embody. Beyond any consideration or difference of opinion, Maestro Peña shall serve as a role model to be emulated by future generations. Through his many abilities, we are able to recognize that God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, chooses those vessels that are useful to transmit His work of blessing and love for all humanity. Today this Legislature, in the discharge of its responsibility and the duty to recognize and perpetuate those personages that stand out for their own merit in Puerto Rican culture, believes it to be compelling to declare and establish the 17 th day of July of each year as the Day of Excellence in the Development of the Puerto Rican Musical Endeavor, on occasion of commemorating the birthday of Maestro and former director of the Puerto Rico State Band, Don Angel Lito Peña. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF PUERTO RICO: Section 1. To declare and establish the 17 th day of June of every year as the Day of Excellence in the Development of the Puerto Rican Musical Endeavor, on occasion of the commemoration of the birthday of Maestro and former director of the Puerto Rico State Band, Don Angel Lito Peña. Section 2. The Governor of Puerto Rico shall, through a proclamation, urge the people of Puerto Rico to commemorate the 17 th day
of July of each year as the Day of Excellence of the Development of the Puerto Rican Musical Endeavor. Section 3. The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, in coordination with the Department of Education, shall adopt the measures needed to comply with the purposes of this Act, through the organization and holding of official activities that recognize and signify the contribution of citizens and institutions or entities, whether public or private, in the development of the Puerto Rican musical endeavor. Section 4. This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
CERTIFICATION I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 156 (H.B. 4571) of the 7 th Session of the 14 th Legislature of Puerto Rico: AN ACT to declare and establish that the 17 th day of July of every year shall be the Day of Excellence in the Development of the Puerto Rican Endeavor, on occasion of commemorating the birthday of maestro and ex-director of the Puerto Rico State Band, Don Angel Lito Peña, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today 4 th of April of 2005. Luis E. Fusté-Lacourt Director