Rafael Hernández Colón
| Rafael Hernández Colón | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Governor of Puerto Rico | |
|
In office January 2, 1973 – January 2, 1977 |
|
| Preceded by | Luis A. Ferré |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Romero Barceló |
|
In office January 2, 1985 – January 2, 1993 |
|
| Preceded by | Carlos Romero Barceló |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Rosselló |
| 6th President of the Senate of Puerto Rico | |
|
In office 1969–1972 |
|
| Preceded by | Samuel R. Quiñones |
| Succeeded by | Juan J. Cancel Ríos |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Rafael Hernández Colón October 24, 1936 Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Popular Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) |
Lila Mayoral (m. 1959–2003; her death) Nelsa López (m. 2004–present) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Rafael Hernández Colón (born October 24, 1936 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fourth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1973 to 1977 and as the sixth Governor of Puerto Rico from 1985 to 1993 for a total of three terms. An experienced politician, Hernández holds the record for being the youngest Governor of Puerto Rico, having won his first term at the age of 36. Hernández is also the person who has run for governor the most times, a total of five. During his terms as governor, Hernández Colón's administration was known for trying to invigorate the Puerto Rican economy as well as defending the current political status of the island.
Hernández Colón was born October 24, 1936 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to Rafael Hernández Matos and Dora Colón Clavell. Rafael and Dora married in 1934 and had three children. Rafael was the oldest. Rafael had two brothers Jose A. (born 1939) and Cesar A. (1942). Hernandez Colon graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pennsylvania, then obtained a bachelor's degree in political science from Johns Hopkins University in 1956 where he graduated with honors. In 1959, he obtained his degree in law from the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras, graduating magna cum laude and as valedictorian of his class. Between 1961 and 1965 he was lecturer on civil procedure at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce.
Hernández Colón affiliated himself with the Popular Democratic Party (Peoples´ Democratic Party, with Socialist roots), or Partido Popular Democratico (PPD). He served as Associate Commissioner of Public Service under the governorship of Roberto Sánchez Vilella. In 1965 he was named Secretary of the Department of Justice. In 1968 he was elected to the Senate of Puerto Rico, becoming the youngest Senator to hold a seat in the Senate at the time. A young political star, he was President of the Senate from 1968 through 1972. In 1972, he successfully ran for Governor of Puerto Rico.
...
Wikipedia