[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H5758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       STATEHOOD FOR PUERTO RICO

  (Mrs. MURPHY of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for 
bipartisan legislation to begin Puerto Rico's transition to statehood.
  There are over 3 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico, and over 5 
million individuals of Puerto Rican heritage in the States. My Florida 
district is home to more Puerto Ricans than any other district in the 
country.
  I care deeply about Puerto Rico because my constituents care deeply 
about Puerto Rico. But every Member of Congress should care about 
Puerto Ricans because they are our fellow citizens. We are part of the 
same American family.
  Puerto Rico has been a territory for 120 years. Its residents are 
treated unequally under key Federal laws. This impairs economic 
progress and quality of life, spurring migration to the mainland. And 
even though Puerto Ricans serve in the military with distinction, they 
cannot vote for their President and Commander-in-Chief. They have no 
Senators, and have only one nonvoting delegate in the House.
  The hard truth is that Puerto Rico's lack of political power too 
often makes it an afterthought in Washington, as the Federal 
Government's poor response to Hurricane Maria made painfully clear.
  I support statehood because I support equality. The people of Puerto 
Rico deserve the same rights and responsibilities as their fellow 
citizens in Florida and every other State.
  Puerto Rico has earned its star on the American flag.

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