Jesus T. Piñero

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Jesús T. Piñero

Appointed Governor of Puerto Rico
In office January 2, 1946 – January 2, 1949
Preceded by	Rexford Guy Tugwell
Succeeded by	Luis Muñoz Marín

Born	April 6, 1897 Carolina, Puerto Rico
Died	November 16, 1952 Loiza, Puerto Rico
Political party	Popular Democratic Party
Profession	Politician, Engineer

Jesus Toribio Piñero Jiménez (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.

Between 1920 and 1944, Piñero's interest in agriculture kept him engaged in the dairy business and in the cultivation of the sugar cane. He was always interested in the agricultural development of Puerto Rico which was one of the main reasons that led him to participate in political activities, particularly those concerning the issues of the sugar cane cultivation.

Between 1928 and 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. Between 1933 and 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 Marín 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 any voting powers.

Statue of Jesus T. Piñeiro

In 1946, President Harry S. Truman relieved Governor Rexford Guy Tugwell, who had served in this position from 1941 from the governorship and named Piñero governor in his place. Piñero was thus the first native Puerto Rican governor. He served as governor until 1949 when Puerto Rico celebrated its first election and Luis Muñoz Marín 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 by Jose Buscaglia Guillermety, in his likeness which is located in the entrance of the town. The Agriculture building at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez is also named after him.

Preceded by Rexford Tugwell	Governor of Puerto Rico 1946-1949	Succeeded by Luis Muñoz Marín

[edit] See also

List of famous Puerto Ricans

[edit] External links

Resident Commissioners of Puerto Rico
Degetau • Larrinaga • Muñoz Rivera • Córdova Dávila • Pesquera • Iglesias • Pagán • Piñero • Fernós-Isern Polanco • Córdova • Benítez • Corrada del Río • Fuster • Colorado • Romero Barceló • Acevedo Vilá • Fortuño