[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORT SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1230, the 
Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2007. I would also like to thank 
the Governor of Puerto Rico, Anibal Acevedo Vila, for his leadership in 
developing the concepts and ideals embodied by this legislation. H.R. 
1230 allows for the voice of the Puerto Rican people to be heard 
through a democratic and unbiased political process. This bill affords 
the people of Puerto Rico one of the most fundamental human rights, 
self-determination.
  Affording the people the opportunity to decide their own future and 
government is fundamental to the history of the United States. As 
representatives of American Government, we are responsible to uphold 
the ideals and virtues of democracy, freedom, and choice. As such, the 
people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are entitled to a democratic 
process of self-determination defined by the well considered decision 
of the Puerto Rican people.
  The process outlined by H.R. 1230 respects the right of the people of 
Puerto Rico to elect delegates to a constitutional convention that will 
draft and submit a proposal outlining the desired self-determination 
option. This proposal would then be approved by the people and then 
sent on for congressional approval. H.R. 1230 does not bias the 
decision of the people by imposing unsupported definitions and skewing 
the debate in the direction of any option; nor does it attempt to 
exclude others. This bill recognizes the right of the people of Puerto 
Rico to hold open and democratic debate on the topic of political 
status and affiliation with the United States. Congress should offer 
their input and response only after the Puerto Rican people have 
reached their own consensus on a self-determination proposal.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in this House not support any 
process that is imposed on Puerto Rico and its people by the Federal 
Government. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1230 and provide the 
Puerto Rican people the path to decide their future. The Commonwealth 
deserves, and is entitled to, true self-determination.

                          ____________________