[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6925-6926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1040
           INTRODUCTION OF PUERTO RICO STATUS RESOLUTION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, today, joined by a bipartisan group of my 
colleagues, I am introducing the Puerto Rico Status Resolution Act. 
This bill is a response to the results of a referendum held in Puerto 
Rico in November. The first question asked voters if they support 
Puerto Rico's current territory status, which deprives my constituents 
of the most fundamental democratic rights. Fifty-four percent said 
``no.''
  The second question asked voters for their preference among the three 
alternatives to the current territory status. Of those who chose an 
option, 61 percent favored statehood. More voters said they want Puerto 
Rico to become a State than to maintain the current status, which is 
unprecedented.
  The White House has recognized the importance of the results, which 
is why the President is seeking an appropriation to conduct the first 
federally authorized vote in Puerto Rico's history, intended to 
``resolve'' the territory's future status.
  The legislation I am filing today is consistent with the President's 
budget request and serves as a blueprint for how the vote conducted 
pursuant to that appropriation could be structured.
  After outlining the rights and responsibilities of statehood, the 
bill authorizes a ratification vote on whether Puerto Rico should be 
admitted into the Union as a State. If a majority of voters affirm 
Puerto Rico's desire for statehood, the bill provides for the President 
to submit legislation to admit Puerto Rico as a State after a 
reasonable transition period. The bill also expresses Congress's 
commitment to act on such legislation.
  Now, I want to speak directly to the men and women who voted for 
statehood in November. Our movement has become a predominant force in 
Puerto Rico. Every day, we grow stronger. Like you, I believe that 
justice delayed is justice denied. And, like you, I find it difficult 
to be patient. But we fight with our heads as well as our hearts. 
Perfecting our Union requires passion, but it also demands 
perseverance. There are no shortcuts on the path to statehood, and 
politicians who suggest there are are leading us to a dead end.
  The statehood movement is powerful because we are united by a single 
principle, the principle of equality. The November vote has fortified 
our spirit and renewed our sense of purpose. We will not shy away from 
a fight. History teaches that once a people have chosen democracy, 
self-government and progress, they are unlikely to reverse course. Rest 
assured, now that the people of Puerto Rico have withdrawn their 
consent to second-class citizenship, the question is not whether, but 
when, Puerto Rico will obtain equality through statehood.
  To my colleagues who represent States, I know you will respect my 
constituents for seeking the same rights and responsibilities as your 
constituents. This respect must take the form of concrete action. The 
U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico have made their choices heard, and they 
deserve a meaningful response from their national government.
  There is overwhelming evidence that territory status has affected 
Puerto Rico's political, economic, and social development; and it has 
become clear that the status quo does not serve the national interest, 
either. The U.S. succeeds when Puerto Rico succeeds; when the island is 
strong, stable and secure; and when its residents do not feel obligated 
to relocate to the States to achieve their dreams. From the U.S. 
perspective, a robust and resilient State of Puerto Rico would advance 
the national interest.
  The position of every President since Harry Truman has been that 
their administration would accept whatever status choice is made by a 
majority of Puerto Rico's voters. The U.S. Government is a champion of 
democracy and self-determination around the world, and it must adhere 
to those principles with respect to its own citizens. This is 
essentially true in light of the service that generations of men and 
women from Puerto Rico have rendered to this Nation, most notably in 
the Armed Forces, but in so many other ways as well. In a very real 
sense, Puerto Rico has earned the right to be equal, and equal we will 
become.
  Puerto Rico has been called the shining star of the Caribbean. The 
time has come for our star to shine, alongside the others, on the Flag 
of the United States of America.

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