House of Representatives holds special session to honor older adults during May observance

The House of Representatives of Puerto Rico held a special session on May 27, 2025, at the hemicycle in San Juan to honor older adults as part of the island’s May observance of Older Adults Month. The session opened at 11:36 a.m., included an invocation and a reading of a congratulatory motion, and concluded with a group photograph and a note that the regular legislative session would resume at 1:00 p.m.

Representante Víctor Parés Otero read a motion “para felicitar y reconocer” a la homenajeada principal, Raquel Santiago Hernández, y a otros homenajeados en ocasión del mes del adulto mayor; Parés dijo que la Cámara aprobó la moción y que ésta “se firma y se sella” con fecha del 15 de mayo de 2025. The motion as read highlighted the life, trajectory and public contributions of older adults and framed the month of May as “una ocasión significativa para rendir homenaje” to that population.

The session included an invocation led by Raiza Torres Ayala, who opened with a biblical quotation: “Las canas son una hermosa corona, una honrosa corona…” Several members of the House delivered brief remarks about the role of older adults in Puerto Rico’s civic life. Representative Ricardo “Chino” Ocasio Ramos, who identified himself as chair of the Commission on Older Adults and Social Welfare, said the honorees are “la memoria viva” of Puerto Rico and affirmed a legislative commitment “de seguir luchando para que tengan una vida con dignidad, buena salud, alegría y respeto.”

House President Carlos J. Méndez Núñez addressed the assembly, thanked organizers and guests, and noted the presence of many long-lived attendees, including people in their 100s who were present in the gallery and on the floor. Members from multiple party delegations took turns recognizing named honorees from their districts; among the personal details mentioned during remarks were individual honorees’ ages (including people described as 100, 103 and 105 years old) and biographical notes for several honorees named by party delegations.

Speakers also referenced demographic context and policy concerns. A representative from the Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño cited statistics and international frameworks, noting that in Puerto Rico “el 28 por ciento de la población supera los 60 años de edad” (as presented verbally during the session) and invoked the U.N. Decade of Healthy Ageing. AARP’s age threshold and the local definition of “personas con envejecientes” were mentioned during remarks: a speaker said AARP defines older adults as 50 and older, while local government definitions use 60 and older.

The session proceeded as a ceremonial recognition rather than a legislative debate: the primary formal action recorded in the transcript was the reading and approval of the congratulatory motion honoring Raquel Santiago Hernández and other named honorees. The president’s office announced a group photograph following the session and reminded members of the regular afternoon session schedule.

The event brought dozens of guests from senior centers and municipal delegations to the House chamber and featured multiple short tributes by representatives from different parties. No bills, ordinances, budget measures or contested votes were recorded in the transcript of this special session.

The House adjourned the special session at approximately 12:30 p.m., after which a public photograph with honorees and members was scheduled.