[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2554]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   PUERTO RICO DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LUIS FORTUNO

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2006

  Mr. FORTUNO. Mr. Speaker, today, Puerto Ricans celebrate the 89th 
Anniversary of being granted United States citizenship by an Act of 
Congress. It is on this historic occasion that I, as Puerto Rico's sole 
representative in Congress, am proudly introducing on their behalf the 
Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2006.
  Since 1917, we have cherished that citizenship, and the principles of 
freedom and democracy for which our Nation stands. Hundreds of 
thousands of Puerto Ricans have fought valiantly in all wars since then 
to defend those principles that we so strongly value, with 50 of our 
own making the ultimate sacrifice in our Nation's current War on 
Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill I am introducing today 
honors the life and sacrifice of these heroes . . . heroes who have 
left their loved ones behind to defend our democratic values even as 
they themselves are unable to vote for their Commander in Chief.
  After 108 years of being a territory of the United States, Puerto 
Rico's status dilemma remains unresolved. Over the years, many in 
Congress have expressed their willingness to respect the right of self-
determination for the U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico yet, during 
that time, there has never been a federally sanctioned self-
determination process.
  On December 22, 2005 the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's 
Status issued a comprehensive and balanced report providing options for 
the Island's future status and relationship with the United States. 
This Task Force, created by Executive Orders from President Clinton and 
President Bush, clearly outlines in its report a process to address 
Puerto Rico's century old status dilemma.
  The bill that I am introducing today simply implements the 
recommendations of the Task Force Report in order to preserve the 
guiding principles found in that report, which avoid prejudice towards 
a particular status option, and develops alternatives that are 
compatible with the U.S. Constitution and basic policies of the United 
States.
  Some will argue that Puerto Rico's status should be determined by a 
select few, however, I sustain that, after 108 years of waiting, the 
four million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico deserve nothing less than a 
direct and meaningful vote. The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2006 
guarantees that the terms and conditions of Puerto Rico's future be 
developed jointly and democratically by the people of Puerto Rico and 
the Congress and not by the whims of an elite few.
  In supporting this legislation, Congress would finally sanction a 
real opportunity for the people of Puerto Rico to exercise their right 
of self-determination with a process that would allow for a direct vote 
from the people. The first plebiscite, which would be held during the 
110th Congress, but no later than December 31, 2007, would allow the 
people of Puerto Rico to elect whether to remain a U.S. territory, or 
to pursue a path toward a constitutionally viable permanent non-
territorial status. It would not be until a second plebiscite during 
the 111th Congress that specific non-territorial status options would 
be defined, should the voters decide they want to opt for a permanent, 
non-territorial status.
  Congress has a date with history. As a territory, Puerto Rico is 
subject to Congressional authority under the Constitution's Territorial 
Clause. After 89 years as U.S. citizens, we deserve the opportunity to 
provide the people of Puerto Rico with a process where, through their 
direct vote, they can choose the status of their choice. Congress must 
assume its constitutional responsibility and act now; otherwise the 
efforts of the Presidential Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status, 
established by President Clinton and President Bush, would have been in 
vain.
  I wish to thank my many colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, who 
have agreed to become original co-sponsors of this bill, validating the 
recommendations made by the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's 
Status to commence a democratic process under which the people of 
Puerto Rico will be able to exercise their inherent right to self-
determination. The four million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico deserve no 
less.

                          ____________________