[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SELF-DETERMINATION FOR PUERTO RICO

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I would like to advise my colleagues 
that today, as Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 
I submitted to both the Democratic and Republican members of that 
committee, a chairman's mark specifically on the issue of self-
determination for Puerto Rico. It is certainly a responsibility of my 
committee to provide and address the eventual disposition of the status 
of the American citizens in Puerto Rico, and the purpose of the draft 
is to provide them with an opportunity to express their dispositions on 
future political aspirations of the choice among commonwealth, 
independence, or statehood.
  Also, I advise my colleagues, this is the centennial anniversary of 
Puerto Rico under U.S. sovereignty--100 years that Puerto Rico has been 
under the U.S. flag. The people of Puerto Rico, as U.S. citizens, have 
been in a process of transcending to something that would focus in on 
certainty. There is a growing effort to try to bring some finality to 
the disposition of the status of Puerto Rican Americans because they do 
not participate as other U.S. citizens in the election of 
representation in the House and Senate. As a consequence, many of them 
are looking towards a definitive alternative.
  We have had hearings. We have listened to individuals from all sides 
of the debate. We have reviewed all testimony. We have had input from 
three political parties, certainly, as well as the Governor. I have 
directed the chairman's mark in the hopes that it will provide a brief, 
accurate and neutral definition of the status of the options. The mark 
is drafted to advance the process of self-determination for our fellow 
citizens of Puerto Rico. It is strictly advisory in its legislation. It 
does not mandate introduction of future legislation. It does not 
require any fast track.
  I grew up living in a territory--my State of Alaska. We had taxation 
without representation. Many people in the State of Alaska, filing 
their income tax returns, used to write in red, ``filed in protest.'' 
It made them feel a little better. It didn't do any good. But the point 
is these people living in Puerto Rico are entitled to certainty, and it 
is an obligation of the Congress to address a final resolution.
  I think our committee has a moral and constitutional responsibility 
to address the situation in Puerto Rico, but we don't want to get 
involved in the politics of Puerto Rico. That is not our business. I 
know the Governor intends to call a plebiscite this December. He may or 
may not choose to use the definitions that we provide him. Whether or 
not the Senate acts is another story. We have a short time left, but in 
my view this is an ongoing effort of the committee, a systematic 
progression. The definitions we have come up with and the structure in 
the previous bills, either the House bill or the Senate bill, have not 
been as neutral as we would have liked and would have involved, I 
think, more activity in local politics. We have attempted to be more 
objective.
  It is my hope the measure that eventually comes out of our committee 
will provide the Governor language that is accurate and neutral. The 
draft chairman's mark clarifies citizenship under each option. That was 
very important, in our conversations with all groups. The 
classification and clarification of citizenship was very important. 
Under commonwealth, citizenship provided by statute will continue to do 
so. Under separate sovereignty, citizenship would end. Under Statehood, 
citizenship is, of course, provided under the Constitution, so there is 
no question about that.
  Finally, I want to make it clear so long as Puerto Rico remains under 
U.S. sovereignty its residents, of course, will be U.S. citizens. If 
Puerto Rico wants separate sovereignty then, of course, U.S. 
citizenship would end.
  I provided members of the Energy Committee a copy of this mark for 
their review over the recess. After receiving members' comments, 
members of the committee, again, will discuss this matter in September.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senator is recognized.

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