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Jesús T. Piñero)
Jesus Toribio Piñero (April 6, 1897-November 16, 1952) was the first native Puerto Rican to be appointed governor of Puerto Rico by the government of the United States.
Piñero was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico into a wealthy family and obtained his primary and secondary education in his hometown. In 1914, he graduated from the College of Liberal Arts of the University of Puerto Rico. He also attended and graduated from the School of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
From 1920-1944, Piñero's interest in agriculture kept him always engaged in the dairy business and in the cultivation of the sugar cane. He was always interested in the agricultural development of Puerto Rico. This was one of the main reasons that led Piñero to participate in political activities, particularly those concerning the issues of the sugar cane cultivation.
From 1928-1932, during the period that Puerto Rico's internal government was still governed by Americans appointed by the U.S., Piñero, was the President of the Assembly of the Municipality of Carolina. From 1933-1937, he was the President of the Association of the Sugar Cane Industry and served in the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico.
In 1938, Piñero was one of the founding members, along with Luis Muñoz Marin of the Popular Democratic Party. He was named Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico by the party, and represented the island in the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. His position, however, was one that did not have voting powers.
In 1946, President Harry S. Truman relieved Governor Rexford Guy Tugwell , who had served in this position from 1941-1946 from the governorship and named Piñero governor of Puerto Rico, thus becoming the first native Puerto Rican governor. He served as governor until 1949 when Puerto Rico celebrated its first election and Luis Muñoz Marin was elected governor.
Jesus T. Piñero died on November 16, 1952 in Loíza, and buried in his hometown of Carolina.
Puerto Rico has honored his memory by naming a high school and a principal avenue in San Juan after him. His hometown, Carolina had a monument sculpted in his likeness which is located in the entrance of the town.
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Last updated: 05-23-2005 01:20:59
