[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[November 30, 1992]
[Page 2171]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2171]]


Memorandum on the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
November 30, 1992

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Puerto Rico is a self-governing territory of the United States whose 
residents have been United States citizens since 1917 and have fought 
valorously in five wars in the defense of our Nation and the liberty of 
others.
    On July 25, 1952, as a consequence of steps taken by both the United 
States Government and the people of Puerto Rico voting in a referendum, 
a new constitution was promulgated establishing the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico. The Commonwealth structure provides for self-government in 
respect of internal affairs and administration, subject to relevant 
portions of the Constitution and the laws of the United States. As long 
as Puerto Rico is a territory, however, the will of its people regarding 
their political status should be ascertained periodically by means of a 
general right of referendum or specific referenda sponsored either by 
the United States Government or the Legislature of Puerto Rico.
    Because Puerto Rico's degree of constitutional self-government, 
population, and size set it apart from other areas also subject to 
Federal jurisdiction under Article IV, section 3, clause 2 of the 
Constitution, I hereby direct all Federal departments, agencies, and 
officials, to the extent consistent with the Constitution and the laws 
of the United States, henceforward to treat Puerto Rico administratively 
as if it were a State, except insofar as doing so with respect to an 
existing Federal program or activity would increase or decrease Federal 
receipts or expenditures, or would seriously disrupt the operation of 
such program or activity. With respect to a Federal program or activity 
for which no fiscal baseline has been established, this memorandum shall 
not be construed to require that such program or activity be conducted 
in a way that increases or decreases Federal receipts or expenditures 
relative to the level that would obtain if Puerto Rico were treated 
other than as a State.
    If any matters arise involving the fundamentals of Puerto Rico's 
status, they shall be referred to the Office of the President.
    This guidance shall remain in effect until Federal legislation is 
enacted altering the current status of Puerto Rico in accordance with 
the freely expressed wishes of the people of Puerto Rico.
    The memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies 
on this subject, issued July 25, 1961, is hereby rescinded.
    This memorandum shall be published in the Federal Register.

                                                             George Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:27 a.m., December 1, 
1992]

Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary 
on December 1.