[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 4, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E988-E989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REVISION OF UNITED STATES-PUERTO RICO POLITICAL STATUS ACT, H.R. 3024

                                 ______


                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 1996

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, today I am submitting for the Record a 
revision of H.R. 3024, the ``United States-Puerto Rico Political Status 
Act.'' The purpose of the revised version is to enable Members of 
Congress to consider the actual language of the political status option 
which was presented to voters as the definition of the ``Commonwealth'' 
political status option in a 1993 plebiscite conducted by Puerto Rican 
authorities under local law. The local political parties in Puerto Rico 
formulated the ballot definitions in that plebiscite.
  On December 14, 1994, the Legislature of Puerto Rico adopted 
Concurrent Resolution 62, requesting the 104th Congress, if unwilling 
to accede to and implement the definition of ``Commonwealth'' from the 
1993 ballot, to state ``. . . the specific status alternatives that it 
is willing to consider, and the measure it recommends the people of 
Puerto Rico should take as part of the process to solve the problem of 
their political status.'' Before responding to Concurrent Resolution 
62, on October 17, 1995, the Subcommittee on Native American and 
Insular Affairs, Committee on Resources, and the Subcommittee on the 
Western Hemisphere, Committee on International Relations, conducted 
hearings on the 1993 plebiscite results in which representatives of 
each principal political party testified and persons of all persuasions 
were afforded the opportunity to submit statements for the record.
  Based on the record of that hearing (see, Joint Hearing Report, 
Serial No. 104-56 (Committee on Resources)), Chairman Don Young and I 
introduced H.R. 3024 along with 13 other cosponsors to the request of 
the Puerto Rico Legislature in Concurrent Resolution 62. H.R. 3024 
reflects the best judgment of its sponsors with respect to how Puerto 
Rico's political status can be resolved consistent with the U.S. 
Constitution and this Nation's commitment to self-determination. The 
definition of ``Commonwealth'' on the ballot in the 1993 plebiscite was 
not included in the bill as introduced for reasons which include those 
set forth in the letter of February 29, 1996, from Chairman Dan Burton 
and I as the two subcommittee chairmen who conducted the joint hearing 
on October 17, 1995, signed as well by our respective full committee 
chairmen. See, Congressional Record, March 6, 1996, E299-300.
  On March 23, 1996, a comprehensive hearing on H.R. 3024 was conducted 
by the Committee on Resources in San Juan, PR. Again, all parties were 
afforded an opportunity to testify or submit written statements. On the 
basis of the exhaustive record now before the committee and extensive 
consultations with interested individuals, political parties, and 
elected officials in Puerto Rico, the Subcommittee on Native American 
and Insular Affairs is prepared to consider further H.R. 3024.
  Obviously, it would be unfair and irresponsible to allow the 
deliberative process of Congress regarding H.R. 3024 to be held hostage 
by those who, for whatever reason, may prefer to delay or prevent a 
considered and unambiguous Federal response to the 1993 plebiscite. 
However, to accommodate the widest possible range of rational and 
responsible views on this matter, Chairman Young has taken the time to 
consider the record carefully, and he has agreed to support revisions 
to the bill based on comments and recommendations made in hearings and 
during consultation with some of our colleagues, representatives of the 
major parties, and other concerned parties.
  Thus, for example, we are prepared to ensure that a valid definition 
of ``Commonwealth'' consistent with applicable rulings of the U.S. 
Supreme Court is included in the democratic process under this bill--
even though the present status would not have changed under the 
original version unless the voters approved a new status. In addition, 
the revised version of H.R. 3024, with the 1993 ``Commonwealth'' 
definition prepared by the local political party which supports that 
status option, is being made available for consideration by the 
subcommittee and interested Members of Congress.
  The constitutional, fiscal, and political obstacles to implementation 
of both the core elements and most provisions of the 1993 
``Commonwealth'' definition remain, as indicated in the February 29 
letter cited above, Still, Chairman Young has demonstrated exceptional 
sensitivity toward the difficult issues which arise from the inclusion 
of this ``best of both worlds'' definition on the 1993 ballot, and its 
approval by a slight plurality but less than a majority of the voters. 
Under the U.S. Constitution only Congress can determine what political 
status options it is willing to consider as requested by Concurrent 
Resolution 62, but Chairman Young's decision to present the 1993 
definition to Congress for its consideration reflects his commitment to 
the most open and bipartisan approach possible.
  I want to express my admiration for the conscientious and careful 
approach which Chairman Young has taken in this matter. While some of 
the people of Puerto Rico and even some Members of Congress may well 
prefer this legislation not be considered on the merits, there is no 
credible basis for further delay. The process of hearings and 
accommodation of the views of others which Chairman Young has overseen 
has been exceptionally fair, and, by ensuring that people in Puerto 
Rico know that the 1993 definition of ``Commonwealth'' is considered by 
Congress in the original form without alteration, Chairman Young has 
demonstrated unprecedented flexibility and openness.
  That is why some 60 Members, including Democrats and Republicans, are 
now co-sponsors of the United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act, 
H.R. 3024. That is why we are going to move forward without further 
delay.
  The revision to H.R. 3024 is made by inserting the following language 
on line 22, page 9, of H.R. 3024 as introduced on March 6, 1996:

     (3) A path of Commonwealth, in which--
       ``(A) the Commonwealth is a mandate in favor of 
     guaranteeing our progress and security as well as that of our 
     children within a status of equal political dignity, based on 
     the permanent union between Puerto Rico

[[Page E989]]

     and the United States encompassed in a bilateral pact that 
     cannot be altered except by mutual agreement.
       ``(B) the Commonwealth guarantees--
       ``(i) irrevocable United States citizenship;
       ``(ii) common market;
       ``(iii) common currency;
       ``(iv) common defense with the United States;
       ``(v) fiscal autonomy for Puerto Rico;
       ``(vi) Puerto Rico Olympic Committee and our own 
     international sports representation; and
       ``(viii) full development of our cultural identity, under 
     Commonwealth we are Puerto Ricans first;
       ``(C) we will develop Commonwealth through specific 
     proposals to be brought before the United States Congress; 
     and
       ``(D) we will immediately propose--
       ``(I) reformulate section 936, ensuring creation of more 
     and better jobs;
       ``(ii) extend the Supplementary Security Insurance to 
     Puerto Rico;
       ``(iii) obtain Nutritional Assistance Program allocations 
     equal to those received by the States; and
       ``(iv) protect other products of our agriculture, in 
     addition to coffee.''.

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