Appendix

Herbert Hoover Lauded Costa Rica

While in San Jose in 1928, president-elect Herbert Hoover, in one of his speeches, praised Costa Ricans "for having been leaders in the solution of important matters related with land distribution and home ownership." Hoover further stated that "the extension of free and universal education not only has enriched your life but also stimulated the minds of other people." He also praised the fact that Costa Rica at that time was known for having MORE TEACHERS THAN SOLDIERS.

Since 1949, not having an army and no soldiers at all would make Hoover's expression come short if it were made today. Now Ticos can truly and proudly say that today there are many thousands not only of MORE TEACHERS, BUT MORE SCHOOLS THAN POLICEMEN (not soldiers, because there are none). This is really a singular feat compared with other countries where millions are spent on armies while Costa Rica spends on schools, not arms.

The Political Stability of Costa Rica

In 1912, President Ricardo Jiménez pointed out that "the secret of our political stability is that our land is greatly subdivided; and that almost all of the peasants are proprietors. "…let's help the small farmers, for in doing so it will be as if we had taken an insurance policy against revolts and going backwards on our development." (Taken from Ivan Molina's excellent book mentioned above).

Costa Ricans Have Treated Their Ecology Properly and Shown Intelligence

My old University of Colorado classmate, Peter Balsells, owner of Bal Seal Engineering Co., Inc. in Los Angeles, after visiting with his wife Donna and California friends several National Parks in Costa Rica in February 2005, and before returning home, said to me: "Frank, you Costa Ricans should be proud of your beautiful country. You have been very intelligent in keeping and protecting your natural resources". That Costa Rica is truly a world leader in protecting its environment is recognized by several Latin American and African countries which have sought counselling from it on how to protect their own forests, flora and fauna.

American Retirees Love Costa Rica

Al Dia, the daily newspaper owned by the La Nación Group, published in its edition of March 18, 2005, an interview with a retired couple from Kansas City . It said, "Warren and Marriott Norton had visited Costa Rica on two occasions and decided that this was the place where they would like to live during the rest of their lives.

After retiring they took a trip back to Kansas City and a few days later couldn't wait to get back to Costa Rica. According to them they chose the country because of its climate, low cost of living compared with their hometown, the ecology and nature, friendliness and cooperativeness of the people. These same reasons are always mentioned when retirees from abroad are asked why they chose Costa Rica as their new home. So there must be some truth in it because the daily arrival of more retirees continues to grow.