[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 21, 1994]



           THE TERRITORIAL CONSULTATION AND NOTIFICATION ACT

                                 ______


                       HON. ROBERT G. TORRICELLI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 1994

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a very 
important and necessary piece of legislation that will ensure that 
Congress has the information it needs to properly implement its 
constitutional responsibilities in overseeing the U.S. territories. 
Furthermore this bill will ensure that the executive branch respects 
Congress' authority to carry out this responsibility.
  The legislation reflects a bipartisan effort cosponsored by nine of 
my distinguished colleagues including the ranking minority member of 
the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Insular Affairs.
  Given that Congress is constitutionally empowered to provide for the 
governance of U.S. territories, including the determination of status, 
I believe there are certain procedures that need to be established to 
ensure that Congress is adequately informed to successfully carry out 
this important responsibility. The Territorial Consultation and 
Notification Act will require that periodic plebiscites be held by all 
U.S. territories so that Congress can be regularly informed about how 
the citizens who reside in these territories view their political 
status. In addition, this legislation will require the executive branch 
to provide Congress with sufficient notification of all regulations and 
policies impacting the territories.
  While some of the territories have already conducted plebiscites, 
most of these votes do not take place with any regularity. In fact, 
Puerto Rico held a plebiscite in November of last year. This vote was 
the first Puerto Rican plebiscite in over 20 years and it resulted with 
none of the status options receiving more than 50 percent of the vote.
  Through regular plebiscites, Congress will ensure that basic American 
values such as self-determination and human rights apply to all U.S. 
territories. In mandating periodic plebiscites, this legislation does 
not seek to endorse any particular status option for the territories. 
Instead, the bill will provide Congress with adequate information to 
properly carry out its constitutional duties.
  The United Nations has declared the 1990's as the decade to 
``eradicate colonialism.'' As a result, Congress must promote the 
progress of U.S. territories toward self-government consistent with the 
principles of self-determination.
  I strongly urge my distinguished colleagues to support the 
Territorial Consultation and Notification Act. By implementing these 
necessary procedures, Congress will be able to take a fair, informed 
and accurate approach in evaluating the U.S. territories.

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