Santiago Polanco-Abreu

Who was Santiago Polanco-Abreu?

Santiago Polanco-Abreu was a Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico.

Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Polanco-Abreu attended elementary and high schools in Isabela, Puerto Rico. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, B.A., 1941, and LL.B., 1943. He joined Phi Sigma Alpha Fraternity. He was admitted to the bar in 1943 and practiced law in Isabela and San Juan. Legal adviser to the Tax Court of Puerto Rico from 1943 to 1944. He served as member of the American Bar Association and Puerto Rico Bar Association. He was one of the founders of the Institute for Democratic Studies in San José, Costa Rica. He served in the House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1949 to 1964. He served as member of the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico in 1951-1952. He was appointed speaker of the house from 1963 to 1964.

Polanco-Abreu was elected as a Popular Democrat to be Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico to the United States Congress, November 3, 1964, for the term ending January 3, 1969. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1968. He resumed the practice of law. He was a resident of San Juan, Puerto Rico, until his death there on January 18, 1988.