[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13720-13721]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF PUERTO RICO CONSTITUTION

  (Mr. PIERLUISI asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, 58 years ago this Sunday, the 
Constitution of Puerto Rico took effect. As we mark this occasion, it 
is appropriate to reflect on the progress that Puerto Rico has made in 
fulfilling the aspirations expressed in our Constitution and to 
acknowledge the distance we have left to travel.
  Our Constitution reflects the values and dreams of our people. Its 
words reinforce our commitment to democracy and equality and confirm 
that we treasure both our Puerto Rican roots and our American 
citizenship.
  Over time, the bonds between Puerto Rico and the United States have 
grown stronger. Like so many American stories, this is the chronicle of 
progress, evolution, and the steady march towards a more perfect Union.
  But the aspirations of our Constitution have yet to be realized. 
There will be no democracy for Puerto Rico until its people have a real 
voice in making the national laws that govern their lives, and there 
will be no equality so long as they can be treated differently than 
their fellow citizens simply because they live in a territory.

[[Page 13721]]

  Today I renew my pledge to fight so that one day democracy and 
equality will prevail in Puerto Rico.

                          ____________________