[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SELF-DETERMINATION FOR PUERTO RICO

  (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today is a very important day for the 
people of Puerto Rico, but it is a more important day for the 
democratic process. This afternoon the House of Representatives will 
debate H.R. 856, the United States-Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act. 
This bill sets up a plebiscite that will determine the future status of 
Puerto Rico.
  The American people should know that this bill was designed to 
guarantee statehood for Puerto Rico because it was written by the party 
that supports statehood. I will say this again. If H.R. 856 becomes 
law, Puerto Rico will be the 51st State, whether or not the people of 
Puerto Rico want it to be.
  H.R. 856 is not the result of a democratic process. By defeating this 
bill, we will be sending a message that we truly honor the idea of 
self-determination for the people of Puerto Rico. I urge my colleagues 
not to be fooled by the arguments of the other side. A vote for H.R. 
856 is a vote for statehood, not a vote for self-determination.

                          ____________________