Santiago Iglesias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santiago Iglesias
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Iglesias c. 1939
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| Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico | |
| In office March 4, 1933 – December 5, 1939 |
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| Preceded by | José Lorenzo Pesquera |
| Succeeded by | Bolívar Pagán |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Santiago Iglesias Pantín
February 22, 1872 A Coruña, Spain |
| Died | December 5, 1939 (aged 67) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Socialist |
Santiago Iglesias Pantín (born February 22, 1872 – died December 5, 1939) was an important leader from Spain who moved to Puerto Rico. He worked hard to help workers and was a strong supporter of Puerto Rico becoming a U.S. state. He is well-known for serving as the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in the U.S. Congress from 1933 to 1939.
Contents
Santiago Iglesias's Life Story
Early Life and Work
Santiago Iglesias was born in A Coruña, a city in Galicia, Spain. He went to school there and learned to be a cabinet maker, someone who builds furniture.
When he was young, he secretly boarded a ship that took him to Cuba. In Cuba, he started helping workers organize. From 1889, he was the secretary of a group called the Workingmen Trades Circle in Havana.
Helping Workers in Puerto Rico
Later, Iglesias moved to Puerto Rico. He started and edited three newspapers that focused on helping workers:
- Porvenir Social (from 1898 to 1900)
- Union Obrera (from 1903 to 1906)
- Justicia (from 1914 to 1925)
He was very active in organizing workers in Puerto Rico. Because of his work, he was often arrested and put in jail. He was a close friend and partner of Samuel Gompers, who was the president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). In 1901, Gompers even made him the main organizer for the AFL in Puerto Rico and Cuba.
In 1915, Iglesias started the Socialist Party in Puerto Rico. This party supported workers' rights and wanted Puerto Rico to be more connected with the United States. It was different from other socialist parties that wanted Puerto Rico to be fully independent. His party was successful in getting its members elected to government jobs.
He also worked as the secretary for the Pan-American Federation of Labor from 1925 to 1933. This group helped workers across North and South America.
Serving in Congress
After trying in 1908, Iglesias was elected as a Resident Commissioner on November 8, 1932. He was reelected in 1936. A Resident Commissioner is like a representative for Puerto Rico in the United States Congress, but they cannot vote on final laws.
He served in Congress from March 4, 1933, until he passed away. During his time, he worked on committees related to islands, farming, and labor.
Member of the Puerto Rico Senate
Before going to Congress, Iglesias was a member of the first Senate of Puerto Rico in 1917. He was reelected many times until he was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1932.
He worked hard to make many social improvements for Puerto Rico. A lot of his ideas later became laws or part of Puerto Rico's Constitution.
Helping Puerto Rico from Washington D.C.
As Resident Commissioner, Iglesias tried to pass laws that would let Puerto Ricans elect their own Governor. This idea finally became law in 1947.
He also helped Puerto Rico get included in many New Deal programs. These programs were created by the U.S. government to help people during the Great Depression. They brought money for things like building roads and improving farming. He also helped with fighting diseases like malaria.
Family Life
Santiago Iglesias married Justa Pastora Bocanegra in 1902. They had eight daughters named America, Libertad, Igualdad, Justicia, Paz, Luz, Fraternidad, and Victoria. They also had three sons, including Edward Iglesias, who became a U.S. Navy pilot, and Manuel Francisco Iglesias, an Air Force Captain during World War 2. Both sons received special awards for their bravery.
Death and Lasting Impact
Santiago Iglesias passed away while still in office in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 1939. His body was brought back to Puerto Rico and displayed at the Capitol building. About 200,000 people came to see him, and 50,000 people filled the streets of Old San Juan for his funeral.
Iglesias was buried in a tomb at Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In 1943, a ship called a Liberty Ship was named after him to honor his memory.
Some of Iglesias's family members have started a group called the "Iglesias Family Foundation." This group works to keep his memory and his work alive.
See also
In Spanish: Santiago Iglesias para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
- List of Hispanic Americans in the United States Congress
- List of foreign-born United States politicians
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)
