[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)] [Senate] [Page S10527] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SENATE RESOLUTION 279--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE SUPPORTING THE RIGHT OF THE UNITED STATES CITIZENS IN PUERTO RICO TO EXPRESS THEIR DESIRES REGARDING THEIR FUTURE POLITICAL STATUS Mr. TORRICELLI (for himself, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. Craig, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Graham, Mr. Daschle, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Bennett, and Mr. Harkin): submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 279 Whereas nearly 4,000,000 United States citizens live in the island of Puerto Rico; Whereas 1998 marks the centenary of the acquisition of the island of Puerto Rico from Spain; Whereas in 1917 the United States granted United States citizenship to the inhabitants of Puerto Rico; Whereas since 1952, Puerto Rico has exercised local self- government under the sovereignty of the United States and subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the United States and other Federal laws applicable to Puerto Rico; Whereas the Senate supports and recognizes the right of United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico to express their views regarding their future political status; and Whereas the political status of Puerto Rico can be determined only by the Congress of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING A REFERENDUM ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL STATUS OF PUERTO RICO. It is the sense of the Senate that-- (1) the Senate supports and recognizes the right of United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico to express democratically their views regarding their future political status through a referendum or other public forum, and to communicate those views to the President and Congress; and (2) the Federal Government should review any such communication. ____________________