[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROVISIONS IN THE UNITED STATES-PUERTO RICO 
                          POLITICAL STATUS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                              of califoria

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 1997

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I am an original cosponsor of United 
States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act, chairman of the subcommittee 
which had original jurisdiction over this legislation, and an advocate 
of English as the official language of the United States. In this 
capacity I want to clarify statements which are being circulated 
outside of and within Congress based on incorrect and outdated 
information that contradicts the English language provisions of the 
legislation as recently amended.
  This remarkable bill sponsored by Resources Committee Chairman Bill 
Young, Speaker, Newt Gingrich, Resident Commissioner Carlos Romero-
Barcelo of Puerto Rico, and some 90 others, provides a three-stage 
self-determination process to resolve the United States century-old 
political status problem with Puerto Rico by the year 2010. The United 
States citizens of Puerto Rico and all U.S. taxpayers deserve no less.
  Since the United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act was first 
introduced in the 104th Congress, extensive English language provisions 
and requirements have been added to build upon the 100-year tradition 
of English as an official language of Puerto Rico. The new and amended 
English language provisions are directed at the existing status of the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a territory under United States 
sovereignty, and alternatively, the transition of Puerto Rico to a 
State, depending on the outcome of the legislation's congressionally 
authorized referenda.
  Thus, the United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act, H.R. 856, 
provides an informed self-determination process for the United States 
citizens of Puerto Rico and clearly addresses the language issue from 
several vantage points, without violating constitutional limits 
affecting the people and State government. The language provisions of 
the bill as amended and approved with virtual unanimity by the 
Committee on Resources on May 21, 1997, follows:

English Language Provisions in H.R. 856, the United States-Puerto Rico 
                          Political Status Act

       Language Policy [Section 3(b)]--
       ``English shall be the common language of mutual 
     understanding in the United States, and shall apply in all of 
     the States duly and freely admitted to the Union.''
       ``The Congress recognizes that at the present time, Spanish 
     and English are the joint official languages of Puerto Rico, 
     and have been for nearly 100 years.''
       ``English is the official language of Federal courts in 
     Puerto Rico.''
       ``The ability to speak English is a requirement for Federal 
     jury service.''
       ``Congress has the authority to expand existing English 
     language requirements in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.''
       ``In the event that the referenda held under this Act 
     result in approval of sovereignty leading to Statehood, 
     English language requirements of the Federal Government shall 
     apply in Puerto Rico to the same extent as Federal law 
     requires throughout the United States.''
       Statehood Ballot Definition [Section 4(a)(C)(7)]--
       ``English is the official language of business and 
     communication in Federal courts and Federal agencies as made 
     applicable by Federal law to every other State, and
       ``Puerto Rico is enabled to expand and build upon existing 
     law establishing English as an official language of the State 
     government, courts, and agencies.''
       Transition Plan [Section 4(b)(C)(i)]--
       ``In the event of a vote in favor of Statehood, the 
     president shall include in the transition plan proposals and 
     incentives to:
       ``Increase the opportunities of the people of Puerto Rico 
     to learn to speak, read, write, and understand English fully, 
     including but not limited to, the teaching of English in 
     public schools, fellowships, and scholarships.''
       ``The transition plan should promote the usage of English 
     by the United States citizens of Puerto Rico, in order to 
     best allow for--
       ``The enhancement of the century old practice of English as 
     an official language of Puerto Rico,
       ``The use of language skills necessary to contribute most 
     effectively to the Nation in all aspects, including but not 
     limited to Hemispheric trade,
       ``The promotion of efficiency and fairness to all people in 
     the conduct of the Federal and State government's official 
     business; and
       ``The ability of all citizens to take full advantage of the 
     economical, educational, and occupational opportunities 
     through full integration with the United States.''

     

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