Rafael Cordero Santiago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rafael Cordero Santiago
|
|
|---|---|
,_Mayor_of_Ponce,_PR_(24-DSC00523X).jpg)
Mayor Rafael Cordero Santiago
|
|
| 132nd Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico | |
| In office 2 January 1989 – 17 January 2004 |
|
| Preceded by | Iván Ayala Cádiz |
| Succeeded by | Delis Castillo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 October 1942 Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Died | 17 January 2004 (aged 61) San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Popular Democratic Party (PPD) |
| Spouse | Madeleine Velasco-Alvarado |
| Children | Solange Marie Cordero-Velasco, Mara Bianca Cordero-Velasco |
| Alma mater | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico |
| Profession | Politician |
Rafael Cordero Santiago (born October 24, 1942 – died January 17, 2004) was a very important person in Ponce, Puerto Rico. People often called him "Churumba." He served as the Mayor of Ponce from 1989 until his death in 2004. Many saw him as a symbol of Ponce itself. He was even called "El León Mayor," which means "The Greatest Lion" in Spanish. This nickname was a nod to Ponce's official symbol, the lion. Mayor Cordero strongly believed in giving more power to local governments.
During his time as mayor, Ponce saw many new projects. These included the Julio Enrique Monagas Family Park, the Tricentennial Park Plaza, and the La Guancha Boardwalk. He also started a project in 1991 to restore the historic 25 de Enero Street. In 1990, he helped turn the old Parque de Bombas firehouse into a museum. That same year, he helped make Castillo Serralles into a museum run by a community group.
Rafael Cordero Santiago is also known for restarting the "Ponce en Marcha" (Ponce on the Move) project in 1992. Some people also believe he helped pass the law in 1991 that gave more freedom to local towns in Puerto Rico. One of his "Ponce en Marcha" projects was fixing up the Ponce Casino.
Contents
Who Was Rafael Cordero Santiago?
His Early Life and Education
Cordero was born in the Playa neighborhood of Ponce, Puerto Rico. His parents were Bernardino Cordero-Bernard and María de los Santos Santiago. When he was young, his family moved to Calle Lolita Tizol in the historic part of Ponce. He went to public schools in Ponce, including Ramiro Colon and Rafael Pujals elementary schools, McKinley middle school, and Ponce High School.
In 1964, he graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. He earned a degree in Arts, focusing on Political Sciences, Economy, and Social Sciences. While in college, he was part of the Nu Sigma Beta fraternity. As a child, he got the nickname "Churumba." This name stuck with him his whole life. "Churumba" is a Puerto Rican Spanish word for a small spinning top. It was likely given to him because of his height.
Starting in Politics
Cordero got involved in Puerto Rican politics in 1969. He began working for Rafael Hernández Colón, who later became the Governor of Puerto Rico. At that time, Hernández Colón was the president of the Puerto Rico Senate. Cordero was a member of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). He later worked in government departments that dealt with money and workers' rights.
Rafael Cordero Santiago as Mayor of Ponce
Becoming Mayor and His Achievements
In 1988, Rafael Cordero Santiago ran for Mayor of Ponce. He had the support of then-governor Rafael Hernández Colón. He won the election for the PPD party. He was re-elected three more times, in 1992, 1996, and 2000.
.jpg)
As mayor, Cordero Santiago achieved many great things. He oversaw the building of the Julio Enrique Monagas Family Park. This is the largest family park in Puerto Rico, covering about 80 acres. It opened in 1994 and was named after the founder of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee. He also built the Tricentennial Park Plaza in 1992 and the La Guancha Boardwalk.
In 1991, Mayor Cordero Santiago started a project to restore the historic homes and street of 25 de Enero Street. In 1990, his administration restored the old Parque de Bombas firehouse and turned it into a museum. This museum helps preserve the history of Ponce's firefighters. He also helped make Castillo Serralles into a museum in 1990. He was also very important in hosting the 1993 XVII Central American and Caribbean Games in Ponce.
The Port of the Americas
In late 2003, Cordero started the building of a huge port complex in Ponce called Port of the Americas. This was a project he had worked on for many years. The port was expected to create many jobs for people in Ponce. It was also planned to improve the local Mercedita Airport and the hotels in Ponce. When he passed away in 2004, the project was still being built. On June 28, 2004, a law was passed to rename the Port of the Americas in his honor. It is now called the 'Rafael "Churumba" Cordero Santiago Port of the Americas'.
A Famous Saying
Churumba is famous for a saying that people still use today:
Ponce es Ponce, y lo demas es parking. (English: Ponce is Ponce, and the rest is parking.)
—Rafael Cordero Santiago
This phrase became a common saying among people from Ponce, who are very proud of their city. It refers to how busy and crowded the highways in San Juan can get, sometimes looking like parking lots.
Standing Up for What He Believed In
Cordero strongly believed that the U.S. Navy should leave the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. In 2001, he was arrested and spent 30 days in jail. This was because he took part in civil disobedience during the Navy-Vieques protests. He illegally entered the restricted Navy grounds on Vieques to protest.
His Passing and Funeral
Churumba passed away on January 17, 2004, at 9:00 AM. He was 61 years old. He died in the Medical Center of Río Piedras after falling into a coma and having a brain hemorrhage. He had wished to donate his organs after his death, and his wish was fulfilled.
His funeral was held on January 18 at the Juan Pachín Vicéns Auditorium. Many politicians, public workers, and sports teams from Ponce took turns guarding his coffin. Visitors cheered "Long live Churumba!" and "We love you!" The auditorium's electronic sign showed the words "The Greatest Lion rests in peace."
Churumba's coffin was later taken to a funeral home for a private family viewing. The next day, January 19, a prayer service was held at the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. His body was also displayed at his former home. Cordero was buried in the La Piedad Cemetery in Ponce. Former Governor Rafael Hernández Colón spoke at the service.
Later, his remains were moved to the Panteon Nacional Roman Baldorioty de Castro in downtown Ponce. They are now in a special mausoleum there.
His Family Life
Cordero was married to Madeleine Velasco Alvarado. They had two daughters, who were fraternal twin sisters, Solange Marie and Mara Bianca.
How He Is Remembered
Honoring His Memory
After game seven of the Puerto Rico National Basketball League 2004 Finals, the Ponce Lions won their twelfth championship. Player Antonio Colón lifted Cordero's usual courtside seat, which made Ponce fans cheer. The championship was officially dedicated to Cordero. His seat was even left empty during every Ponce Lions home game in 2004 to honor him.
Places Named After Him
On August 13, 2008, the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly approved a law. This law named Route PR-9, a highway that goes around Ponce, the Rafael (Churumba) Cordero Santiago Highway. Cordero Santiago is also honored at Ponce's Park of Illustrious Ponce Citizens. Only six other former Ponce mayors are honored there. In his home neighborhood of Playa, there is a street near Plaza del Caribe named after him. A large image of his face stands at the beginning of this street. The Port of Ponce was also renamed after him. It is now called the Rafael Cordero Santiago Port of the Americas.
Images for kids
-
Mayor Rafael Cordero Santiago
See also
In Spanish: Rafael Cordero Santiago para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Iván Ayala Cádiz |
Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico 2 January 1989 – 17 January 2004 |
Succeeded by Delis Castillo |
