[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 197 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10189-H10190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORTING PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, my colleague and good friend Debbie 
Wasserman Schultz's Spanish was perfect, ``perfecto.''
  As she has pointed out, I have long supported the cause of statehood 
for Puerto Rico, but the lack of action on our part has kept Puerto 
Rico from having a voice and a vote on this very floor, which is 
imperative for our great democracy.
  For over 100 years, the people of Puerto Rico have been proud 
American citizens. Plebiscite after plebiscite, Puerto Ricans have 
voted that they will no longer accept the territory status.
  Statehood will promote economic development and jobs on the island so 
that these American citizens can have a better life and stop losing its 
people to the mainland after the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma 
and Maria.
  Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon--that is her proper title, 
that is what it should be--whom I am proud to call my friend, has made 
statehood for Puerto Rico her priority, urging Republicans and 
Democrats alike, as you have heard, to act. We must listen and we must 
do what is right.

  As chairman emeritus of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I recognize 
that statehood will enhance our national security, serving as our 
Nation's third border in the Caribbean.

[[Page H10190]]

  Mr. Speaker, the status quo is simply unacceptable. I urge my 
colleagues to support statehood for Puerto Rico.

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