Friday, July 26, 2013

An Update on Puerto Rico's Political Status - Resident Commissioner Pedro R. Pierluisi delivered remarks about Puerto Rico's political status in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 24, 2013



Published on Jul 24, 2013
Resident Commissioner Pedro R. Pierluisi delivered remarks about Puerto Rico's political status in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 24, 2013.

Five-Minute Floor Statement as Prepared for Delivery
An Update on Puerto Rico’s Political Status

July 24, 2013 

Mr. Speaker: 

As we approach the birthday of the late Dr. José Celso Barbosa, the father of the statehood movement in Puerto Rico, I rise to update my colleagues on the progress that has been made to resolve the territory’s political status

Last November, Puerto Rico held a referendum. As I described in a floor speech the following week, the results show that a majority of the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico do not support the current territory status, a supermajority favor statehood among the three alternative options, and more voters want statehood than any other option, including the current status. These results are now part of the historical record, and they cannot be dismissed or diminished by those who find them inconvenient. 

Now that American citizens living in an American territory have informed their national 
government, in a free and fair vote, that they do not consent to a political status that deprives them of the most basic democratic rights, it is incumbent upon the federal government to take appropriate action in response. For the President and Congress to do otherwise would be to contravene the principles that have made this country a light to the world. 

Today, I can report that positive steps have been taken—despite the fierce opposition of one party in Puerto Rico, which seeks to preserve the status quo despite its rejection by voters and the overwhelming evidence that it has crushed the island’s political, economic and social advancement. In April, the Administration requested an appropriation of $2.5 million dollars, which would be provided to the Puerto Rico Elections Commission to conduct the first federally funded status vote in the territory’s history, with the specific purpose of “resolving” the issue. 

The Administration’s action was favorably received by Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle who rarely find common ground. Earlier this month, thanks to the leadership of Congressmen Wolf, Fattah and Serrano, that funding was approved by the Appropriations Committee—confirming that the effort to secure fair treatment for Puerto Rico is not, and should never become, a partisan issue. 

The Committee’s report endorses the conditions proposed by the Administration, stating that federal funding will not be obligated until DOJ has certified that the ballot and voter education materials are compatible with U.S. laws and policies, thereby ensuring that the vote will be among one or more status options that can actually be implemented and that would settle the issue. 

I will continue to fight for the approval of this appropriation by the full House and for its retention in any conference negotiation with the Senate. 

There is additional progress to report on another front in this struggle. In May, I introduced standalone legislation that proceeds from the indisputable premise that statehood obtained more votes than any other option in the November referendum. The bill outlines the rights and responsibilities of statehood, and asks voters in Puerto Rico whether they accept those terms. If a majority says yes, the bill provides for the President to submit legislation to admit Puerto Rico as a State after a transition period. 

Two months after its introduction, this bill already enjoys support from 100 Members of Congress from both parties and every region of the country, despite the predictable opposition of the status quo party in Puerto Rico and its allies in Congress. I always find it ironic when some of my colleagues from the states—who, along with their constituents, enjoy all the benefits of statehood—seek to prevent my constituents from exercising those same rights and responsibilities. 

I have concluded that these forces cannot be reasoned with; they must simply be defeated. And they will be. 

Next week, I will appear as a witness at a Senate hearing on the November referendum and the federal response to that vote. Just as I told a United Nations committee last month, I will testify that I have faith that the federal government will fulfill its obligation to facilitate Puerto Rico’s transition to a democratic and dignified status, but that deeds—not words—are required. 

Much work remains to be done. And like any civil rights struggle, it will not be easy. But, through our sound and steady action, we are closer than ever to finally realizing Dr. Barbosa’s dream of equality for the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico. 
Thank you. 

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1 comment:

  1. Dear Partner,

    After the approval of the 33rd United Nations’ resolution by consensus on June 23, 2014 asking the United States (US) to immediately decolonize of Puerto Rico, we should work together to force the United States government to comply with it.

    The facts that the United States government has maintained Puerto Rico as its colony for 116 years, has had Oscar López Rivera in prison for 33 years for fighting for Puerto Rico decolonization, and has ignored 33 UN resolutions to decolonize Puerto Rico, confirm that the US government has no intentions of ever decolonizing Puerto Rico. Therefore, we need to form a tsunami of people to force the US to comply with the 33 resolutions.

    We should peacefully protest at least 3 times a year until we achieve our goal. The first one will be a march up to the US Courthouse in Puerto Rico on the Abolition of Slavery Day on March 22. The second will be another march in Puerto Rico on a day before the UN’s Puerto Rico decolonization hearing. The third one will be a protest in New York City on the same day the UN holds its Puerto Rico decolonization hearing.

    These 3 protests are indispensable, because those who have colonies don’t believe in justice for all.

    Sincerely,
    José M López Sierra
    Jlop28vislophis@gmail.com
    Comité Timón del Pueblo
    United Partners for the Decolonization of Puerto Rico
    www.TodosUnidosDescolonizarPR.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete