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(S.B. 1453)
(No. 185)
(Approved July 30, 1999)
AN ACT
To commemorate and observe the birthday and the musical legacy of
composer Tito Henríquez, on the 12th of January of each year in the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
STATEMENT OF MOTIVES
Tito Henríquez was born on the January 12, 1920, in Santurce, Puerto
Rico, the second of three children born to Faustino Henríquez and Rosario
Díaz. He passed away on September 22, 1992. He is survived by his wife,
Altagracia (Altita) Soto Martínez and his daughters.
He has been named “Adopted Son and Preferred Citizen of Naguabo”,
where he was baptized. His innate musical talent was nourished by the
musical experience he gained and by the motivation and admiration he felt
for the performance of guitarist Guillermo Ayala (Piliche) of the Sexteto de
Puerto Rico during the Rosaries sung as a family tradition in honor of the
Three Wise Men (Los Santos Reyes) at the farm property of his paternal
grandparents in Naguabo. He learned the first chords on this instrument from
his teacher known as Diplomacia, and continued learning on his own. He
also learned to play the piano and the bass.
His artistic life was also enhanced by his enriching experience while
collaborating in many musical groups such as the quartet he organized and
named Balalaika; the musical groups Santurce Serenaders of Ernesto
Vigoreaux; Moderno, Capacetti, and Taoné, which he organized; Plácido
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Acevedo’s Cuarteto Mayarí; Celso Vega’s Group; his duo performances
with Ruth Fernández; the Sonora Boricua, and the Cuarteto Boricua which
he organized for the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, among others.
Familiarly known as “Tito Fa”, he initiated his career as a composer
with the song “Consigna”, first played by the Cuarteto Mayarí, and which
was enthusiastically received by the public.
This experience motivated him to continue writing many compositions,
including: “Bello amanecer”, “Solo, muy solo”, “Ya negra murió”, “Tierra
nuestra”, “Navidad contigo”, “Sollozo”, “A tu amor”, “Para qué persistir”,
“Cuando te vi partir”, “Menos a Dios”, “Dulce serenata”, “No te quiero
ver”, “Quédate así”, “Con mis cinco sentidos”, “No es posible”, “La tarde y
tú”, “Tarde triste”, “Por qué te alejas”, “Nuestro idilio”, “Amarga
realidad”, “Uno más”, “Qué mucho te extraño”, “Debemos olvidar”, “No
me dejes así”, “Será muy tarde”, “Acuérdate de mí”, and “Música”.
Through his music, Tito Henríquez is recognized as a romantic
composer with an optimistic point of view of our human condition, and
aware that everything eventually comes to an end, but bearing within the
seeds a new beginning, and being grateful for the opportunity to make the
best of life during its various stages. Likewise, the songs dedicated to Puerto
Rico describe our land with a profound sense of being Puerto Rican.
Particularly aware of his mission as a composer, Tito Henríquez affirms
and defends music as something spiritual and individual, therefore, he deems
it unthinkable that a machine could intervene in the creative process. He
believed that singing, playing an instrument, or composing should emanate
freely from within, without the interference of a device to indicate the note
to be played, or to dictate the rhythm of his song.
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In recognition of the prolific musical artistry of Tito Henríquez, which
has been acknowledged, admired and interpreted by singers, performers and
the people in general in Puerto Rico, Latin America and Europe, this Act is
hereby approved in fair homage to this Puerto Rican composer whose songs
have enriched the artistic and cultural legacy of our country.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF PUERTO RICO:
Section 1.- To commemorate and observe the birthday and the musical
legacy of composer Tito Henríquez, on the 12th of January of each year in
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
Section 2.- The Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall
issue a proclamation to such effects, and shall exhort the participation of
public, municipal and private entities, as well as of the people of Puerto
Rico, to coordinate efforts and activities for the commemoration provided in
this Act.
The Puerto Rico Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the University of
Puerto Rico, the Department of Education, the Institute of Puerto Rican
Culture, the Municipalities of San Juan and Naguabo, as well as other public
and municipal entities, are specifically authorized to coordinate and hold
activities pursuant to the mandate established in this Act.
Section 3.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
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March 19, 2002
Rolando Quevedo-Motta, Esq., Director of the Office of Legislative Services of the
Legislature of Puerto Rico, hereby certifies to the Secretary of State that he has duly
compared the English and Spanish texts of Act No. 185 (S.B. 1453) of the 5th Session of
the 13th Legislature of Puerto Rico, entitled:
AN ACT to commemorate and observe the birthday and the musical legacy of composer
Tito Henríquez, on the 12th of January of each year in the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico,
and finds the same are complete, true and correct versions of each other.
Rolando Quevedo-Motta