[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9297-9298]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORTING STATEHOOD OF PUERTO RICO

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Alaska (Mr. Young) for 
his leadership on this effort, a Representative on the most recent 
State.
  I didn't want to take all of his time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from Alaska.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from 
Maryland, Steny Hoyer, for the support. It is going to take a lot of 
effort. There is a lot of naysayers out there. But, again, I believe so 
strongly that we treat every American equally.
  This is a civil rights issue, and they have voted 97 percent in favor 
of statehood. As you know, I led this battle with your help in 1997. We 
had a vote, and, with your side, I won by one vote.

[[Page 9298]]

Puerto Rico and Alaska didn't go anywhere, but I ask every American to 
think about it.
  Let's make this the last colony. Let's make this the 51st State.

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