[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 102 (Monday, July 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9041-S9042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PUERTO RICO STATUS LEGISLATION

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, 100 years ago this past Saturday--July 25, 
1898--U.S. Major General Nelson Miles and his troops arrived on Puerto 
Rico's shores to liberate the island from tyranny. On that historic 
occasion, he declared that the United States came ``bearing the banner 
of freedom . . . the fostering arm of a nation of free people, whose 
greatest power is in justice and humanity to all those living within 
its fold.''
  One hundred years after those valiant actions and eloquent words, the 
nearly four million people of Puerto Rico--excuse me, the United States 
citizens of Puerto Rico--continue to wait for the fulfillment of that 
promise of justice and humanity. For the last century, they have been 
denied the most fundamental right of a free people: the right to choose 
their own political destiny.
  Mr. President, enough is enough. In the last 100 years, Puerto Ricans 
have fought for freedom as part of the U.S. armed forces. Through their 
vibrant culture and tireless spirit, they have made invaluable and 
lasting contributions to American democracy. But they have never had a 
real opportunity to exercise that freedom fully or enjoy the complete 
benefits of living in that democracy. Congress must right that wrong in 
1998.
  Make no mistake: Puerto Ricans are ready for this opportunity. In its 
quest to gain the right of political self-determination, Puerto Rico 
has on three occasions held local plebiscites to express preferences 
for the political options of statehood, independence, or commonwealth. 
But since these votes were not

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sanctioned by Congress, they had little more than symbolic value.
  In 1997 and 1998, the Puerto Rican Legislature passed resolutions 
asking Congress to provide Puerto Ricans with a real opportunity to 
determine their political future. But our loudest action on this 
request has been inaction.
  It is high time that we move forward. The 105th Congress--and others 
before it--has held numerous hearings. The House of Representatives 
passed its version of Puerto Rico status legislation more than four 
months ago. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has 
thoroughly examined the many issues surrounding Puerto Rico's self-
determination. We are fully educated. The only work that remains to be 
done are a committee mark-up and vote, Senate floor action, and a 
House-Senate Conference Committee.
  Congressman Carlos Romero-Barcelo, Puerto Rico's non-voting member of 
Congress, told the Energy and Natural Resources Committee that

       The unresolved dilemma of Puerto Rico's status is the 
     single most important long term issue of concern to all 
     Puerto Ricans. It permeates every aspect of our political and 
     economic life and holds our future hostage.

  Mr. President, the United States does not hold innocent hostages. It 
frees them, just as it did 100 years ago when General Miles and his 
troops waded ashore in Puerto Rico to rescue the residents of that 
beautiful island from tyranny.
  In 1998, as the United States and Puerto Rico celebrate 100 years 
together, the U.S. Senate can decide to act as our colleagues in the 
House of Representatives have already done. I urge my colleagues not to 
make that decision by indecision. The 3.8 million United States 
citizens in Puerto Rico are counting on us to give new life to their 
long-frustrated dream of political self-determination. We must not let 
them down. One hundred years is far too long to wait.

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