this:
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Posted on 01/08/2015 10:18:29 AM PST by Ebenezer
Mr. Speaker:
As the new Congress begins its work on behalf of the American people, I rise to address my colleagues about an issue of national importance, namely Puerto Rico’s quest to discard its status as a U.S. territory and to become a U.S. state.
Puerto Rico has been a territory since 1898. If Puerto Rico does not desire to remain a territory, it can follow one of two paths. The territory can become a state or it can become a sovereign nation, either fully independent from the U.S. or with a compact of free association with the U.S. that either nation can terminate. If Puerto Rico becomes a nation, future generations of island residents would not be American citizens.
My constituents have made countless contributions to the United States in times of peace and war, serving in every military conflict since World War I. They fight today in Afghanistan and other dangerous locations, in the same units as young men and women from states like Florida, Texas and New Mexico. Many of them have made the ultimate sacrifice in battle. When they do, their casket is flown back to this country, draped in the American flag.
It takes a special kind of patriotism to fight for a nation that you love, but one that does not treat you equally. Although Puerto Rico is home to more American citizens than 21 states, my constituents cannot vote for president, are not represented in the Senate, and have one non-voting delegate in the House. Moreover, territory status gives Congress a license to treat Puerto Rico worse than the states, and Congress often uses that license.
Everyone other than apologists for the status quo comprehends that territory status is the root cause of the economic crisis in Puerto Rico. As a result of the structural problems this status has created, residents of Puerto Rico are relocating to the states in staggering numbers. I know it breaks their hearts to leave behind the island they love, but most see no other option.
Yet, through the clouds, a bright sun is emerging. The people of Puerto Rico have finally said: “No more.” They have come to the conclusion that they deserve a status that is democratic and dignified. They will no longer tolerate being second-class citizens. They do not want special treatment. Rather, they demand equal treatment. Nothing more. But nothing less.
The will of the Puerto Rican people was expressed in a 2012 referendum sponsored by the Puerto Rico government. There, a majority of my constituents expressed their opposition to territory status; statehood received more votes than territory status; and statehood received far more votes than independence or free association, proving that Puerto Rico has no desire to weaken the bonds forged with the United States over nearly 12 decades. In short, statehood is now the predominant force in Puerto Rico.
At my urging, and in response to this landmark referendum, the Obama Administration proposed—and Congress approved—an appropriation of $2.5 million dollars to fund the first federally-sponsored vote in Puerto Rico’s history, with the stated goal of “resolving” the status issue.
I have proposed that the funding be used to hold a simple, federally-sponsored, yes-or-no vote on whether Puerto Rico should be admitted as a state, just as Alaska and Hawaii did. This approach would yield a definitive result that nobody could reasonably question. And it has broad congressional support, since a bill I introduced last Congress that embodies this approach had 131 cosponsors and led to the filing of an identical Senate companion bill.
All that remains is for the Governor of Puerto Rico to schedule the vote. Yet, a year has passed, and we have seen only inertia and indecision. All talk and no action.
For my part, I will continue to press for action in both San Juan and Washington, D.C., using any strategy and technique that will advance the statehood cause. Since none of my colleagues in this chamber representing states would accept territory status for their constituents, I know they will understand that I will not accept it for my constituents.
Thank you.
Puerto Rico ping
It should be a state. BTW, I read recently that VZ is contributing to the leftist PR independence movement. VZ is broke, but they always have enough money to cause trouble.
Is English taught at all in PR schools ?
If PR ever became independent, most inhabitants would make a bee line for the US before it took effect.
Warning to San Juan: if you join, you can never leave. That is not a right you will have anymore. Ever.
If any of you try to discuss leaving, you will be called a “neo-confederate”.
If you actually try to leave, the president will invade and decimate your economy for decades.
What is it about Latino politicians that makes them always whine about how downtrodden they are. Pedro Pierluisi forgets to mention in his little bitch-fest that statehood has always been open for a vote but Puerto Ricans have rejected statehood in the past. The reason why Puerto Ricans cannot vote for president is because they chose not to be a state - end of story!
The grifters in the Puerto Rican government have always wanted to have their cake and eat it too. They have not pushed for statehood because they know that the pressure to reform Puerto Rican government would escalate immediately from the Feds and the Puerto Rican people.
this:
or this:
As should Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Marianas.
At least if Puerto Rico gets in we can have a 52 card deck - 51 states, 1 for the territories that remain, and DC as the joker.
I like the 2nd one - it’s got a central star in it that shows we’re united but individual states - then add one in each corner for any of the others that join going forward.
How many states do you think would opt for similar status if given the same choices as PR voters?
DC will be the joker no matter what...
Cut then loose. A republic and not an empire.
what taxes will they pay?
just an entire state of welfare rats is all
Yes, they speak English. Some of them speak it better than others, depending on their educational level, but PR is basically bilingual. And they’re actually rather proud of it. We get a lot of PR tourists in my town, and they like to be addressed in English.
PR is nice. Great beaches, beautiful interior, and lots of historic sites. It was important militarily to both Spain and the US because it is the gateway to the Caribbean.
It’s poor for a variety of historical reasons, but the population is hardworking and if it could get rid of its leftwing civil service unions (which defeated its conservative governor a couple of years ago) it would be good. But because it’s not a state and is a federal civil service preserve, both bureaucracy and unions have way too much power.
They might want to reconsider....as it is, only the activist are pushing for statehood....Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $3.61 to $5.15. and (taxes) & (Hate taxes>)....Congressman Pedro R. Pierluisi is not telling his constituents the truth about becoming a state instead of the Territory they are. Huge taxes they have not ever had and a plethora of responsibilities they would face with state hood....or is this another "minority gets a pass" thingy.....
Once they ran the US Navy out of Vieques I changed my view of PR. Pretty island but they can’t have their cake and eat it too.
“We would like to be a state”
“No”
“Well at least we tried”
Fantastic. Just what we need, 10 new leftist Democrat Senators. I much prefer if Puerto Rico is given independence, if they like it or not.
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