El pueblo da el ultimo adiós a Rafael Hernández Colón en la Casa de las Leyes

Dozens of officials and dignitaries arrived Friday morning at the Capitol Rotunda to join in the wake for former Governor Rafael Hernández Colón, who passed away Thursday morning after a battle with leukemia. Around 9:10 a.m., the casket arrived at the Capitol Building for the state funeral. The official ceremony began around 9:22 a.m. Summarizing Hernández Colón's life of public service, the master of ceremonies, José Juan Tañón, asked those present to applaud the former governor, and they rose to their feet. Singer Marileyda performed the Puerto Rican national anthem, "La Borinqueña," while Jeidimar Rijo, a recent winner of a talent competition, sang the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Then Father José Antonio “Tito” Vázquez of Stella Maris Parish led a prayer with the Ponce Children's Choir. Among those present were Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares and Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz. Also in attendance were Chief Justice Maite Oronoz, accompanied by associate justices, among other officials and dignitaries. Former governors Carlos Romero Barceló, Sila María Calderón, Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, Luis Fortuño, and Alejandro García Padilla also joined the gathering. On Thursday, the governor declared 30 days of mourning. Meanwhile, the mayor of Ponce, María Eloísa “Mayita” Meléndez Altieri, indicated that nine days of mourning had been declared in Ponce, which entailed the modification of several previously scheduled activities. The former governor passed away Thursday morning after battling leukemia. Around 9:10 a.m., the casket arrived at the Legislature to begin the state funeral. The official ceremony commenced around 9:22 a.m. Summarizing his life of public service, the master of ceremonies, José Juan Tañón, asked those present to applaud the former governor, who then stood. Singer Marileyda sang the Puerto Rican national anthem, “La Borinqueña,” while Jeidimar Rijo, a recent winner of a talent competition, performed the United States national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then, Father José Antonio “Tito” Vázquez of Stella Maris Parish led a prayer accompanied by the Ponce Children's Choir. Among those present were Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares and Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz. Also in attendance was Chief Justice Maite Oronoz, accompanied by associate justices, among other officials and dignitaries. Former governors Carlos Romero Barceló, Sila María Calderón, Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, Luis Fortuño, and Alejandro García Padilla also joined the gathering. On Thursday, the governor decreed 30 days of mourning. Meanwhile, the mayor of Ponce, María Eloísa “Mayita” Meléndez Altieri, indicated that nine days of mourning had been declared in Ponce, which entailed the modification of several previously scheduled activities. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: http://www.wipr.pr SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c... FOLLOW NOTICIAS 24/7 ON FACEBOOK:   / notiseis360pr   FOLLOW NOTICIAS 24/7 ON TWITTER:   / notiseis360pr