[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 16 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN SUPPORT OF SELF-DETERMINATION FOR PUERTO RICO

  (Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 856, a 
bill that provides the process of self-determination for Puerto Rico. 
Since we are talking about U.S. citizens, why should this bill be 
necessary? This bill is essential in order to validate American 
democratic values. It is essential because the 3,800,000 U.S. citizens 
of Puerto Rico have been disenfranchised and this Congress has a moral 
obligation to address this inequity.
  In Puerto Rico, we cannot vote to elect the President of our Nation, 
nor do we have any voting representation in the House or the Senate. We 
have no control over political decisions affecting our daily lives. We 
cannot vote as citizens, but we are called upon to fight and die for 
our country as soldiers.
  The U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico have been partners in war with our 
fellow citizens, having fought hand in hand to defend American values 
and democratic ideals throughout the world in every armed conflict 
since 1917.
  Puerto Ricans have earned with their blood the right to self-
determination. As the United States preaches to the world on human 
rights and democracy, it has forgotten 3.8 million of its own citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to support H.R. 856. It is our 
moral obligation and responsibility. Let the U.S. citizens of Puerto 
Rico choose whether they want to be independent, stay as they are, or 
become a State. Vote in support of H.R. 856.

                          ____________________