[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H11400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PUERTO RICO AS THE 51ST STATE?

  (Mr. ROTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, have Members thought about Puerto Rico as the 
51st State? That is what we are going to be voting on today.
  Now the proponents are going to say, this is not for statehood, this 
is solely a plebiscite. They have had three plebiscites in Puerto Rico, 
and the Commonwealth has won every one. The rules are going to be 
structured so statehood finally has a chance to win. If I can set the 
rules, I can win any game.
  This is a very serious issue. It is like the old Communist system, 
the Communists lost, lost, lost and when they finally won, no more 
elections, no more plebiscites. That is the way it is going to be here.
  I hope the people take a look at this bill when it comes up today, 
and just not rush over into the sea like a bunch of lemmings. I have a 
question, too. How do the American people feel about this? When we add 
a State to the United States, I think that is a very serious question. 
I hope the people in this House today take a look at this bill and vote 
with their conscience.

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