[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 22 (Wednesday, March 2, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         88th ANNIVERSARY OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP FOR PUERTO RICANS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Fortuno) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FORTUNO. Mr. Speaker, at the end of the Spanish American War in 
1898, Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States and became a territory 
under the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution. It was not until 
1917, by virtue of the passage of the Jones Act, that people born in 
Puerto Rico were granted the privilege of becoming citizens of this 
great Nation.
  On March 2, 1917, exactly 88 years ago, Puerto Ricans became U.S. 
citizens. We value our citizenship dearly, and over the years, Puerto 
Ricans have honored their citizenship by making major contributions to 
our great Nation. We have distinguished ourselves in the arts, the 
sciences and sports. But most important of all, courageous Puerto Rican 
men and women have served their Nation proudly defending our valued 
principles of freedom around the world.
  Puerto Ricans have served with honor and distinction in the Armed 
Forces of the United States in all wars and conflicts since 1917 to 
this day, where 3,400 of our men and women are active in our Nation's 
war on terrorism, including 825 soldiers currently serving in Iraq.
  Four Puerto Ricans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, 
the highest award given for valor on the battlefield. Today I want to 
again honor these four Puerto Rican heroes: Private First Class 
Fernando Garcia, who fought in the Korean War; Private First Class 
Carlos Lozada, who fought in the Vietnam War; Captain Euripides Rubio, 
who fought in the Vietnam War; and Specialist Hector Santiago-Colon, 
who also fought in the Vietnam War.
  18,000 Puerto Ricans served in World War I. During World War II, 
65,034 Puerto Ricans, including 200 Puerto Rican women, served in the 
Armed Forces. More than 61,000 Puerto Ricans served in the Korean War 
during which the 65th Infantry Regiment, comprised mostly of Puerto 
Rican soldiers, distinguished themselves for bravery.
  Actually, I would like to quote tonight General Douglas MacArthur who 
said in Tokyo on February 12, 1951, and I quote, ``The Puerto Ricans 
forming the ranks of the gallant 65th Infantry on the battlefields of 
Korea are writing a brilliant record of achievement in battle, and I am 
proud indeed to have them in this command. I wish that we may have many 
more like them,'' and I close the quote.
  More than 48,000 Puerto Ricans served in Vietnam. Of these, over 430 
were killed and over 3,000 were wounded.
  Close to 2,600 Puerto Rico National Guard volunteers and U.S. Army 
Reserve soldiers were mobilized for Desert Storm.
  Puerto Ricans have always responded to the call of defending our 
Nation and have had no qualms in shedding their blood on the 
battlefields to defend the cause of liberty.
  On February 15 of this year, I visited Private First Class Emanuel 
Melendez-Diaz from Comerio, Puerto Rico, who is in intensive care in 
Walter Reed Army Medical Center from injuries suffered in Iraq as part 
of our global war against terrorism. I was deeply moved by the intense 
pride his parents show in their son and in the sacrifice he made for 
our Nation. And yet, I could not help but think that Private First 
Class Emanuel Melendez-Diaz had not been able to vote for his 
Commander-in-Chief because he is Puerto Rican. That is morally wrong.
  Today we commemorate the 88th anniversary of Congress granting US 
citizenship to the people of Puerto Rico. Yet we still cannot vote for 
our President, cannot vote in this Chamber, cannot vote on legislation 
that affects us. Congress has an unfinished agenda with Puerto Rico. 
The 4 million U.S. citizens that live in Puerto Rico should finally be 
given the opportunity to make an educated, fair and democratic choice 
regarding their final status preference. After 106 years of territorial 
status, and 88 years of being U.S. citizens, we are tired of waiting. 
The people of Puerto Rico deserve better. We have earned our right to 
be heard.

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