Llenza: Civil Rights, Service to Country Demand Congress Support Puerto Rico Statehood Vote
In remarks to the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Florida in Fort Lauderdale on October 25th, retired two-star General Orlando Llenza (US Air Force) proclaimed that Congress’ support for a vote in Puerto Rico to choose between becoming a fully represented state or an independent republic is a civil rights issue. Describing the exceptional Puerto Rican history of military excellence, General Llenza described more than 100 years of extraordinary heroism and blood sacrifice for the United States while Congress has denied Puerto Rico full representation in Congress and the right to vote for President. The United States took possession of Puerto Rico following the Spanish-American War of 1898 but the U.S. Congress has never supported a vote in Puerto Rico on whether the island should become a State of the Union or an independent republic. Puerto Rico is now the longest held territory of the United States having surpassed Oklahoma which was a U.S. territory for 104 years. The last 2 territories admitted as states of the union were Alaska and Hawaii in 1958 and 1959 respectively. General Llenza’s full remarks can be viewed here.
Statehood for Puerto Rico - The Party Platforms Leading into the 2008 Conventions
The 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions are around the corner. Although these
conventions may be physically distant from Puerto Rico, their pertinence is clear. The National Conventions
are where the Democratic and Republican parties formally announce their presidential candidates, and
perhaps more importantly, their platforms for the coming four years. These platforms announce the
parties’ stances on topics ranging from the war in Iraq to Puerto Rico’s status. Read more...
New Poll: Statehood Favored by Large Majority in Puerto Rico
A recent poll shows that now more than ever, a large island majority wants Statehood
for Puerto Rico. The poll, conducted in late May by Kaagan Research Associates of
New York and later published in El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico’s largest daily newspaper
shows 57% of Puerto Ricans want Statehood as the island’s permanent political status,
dismissing the current unrepresentative commonwealth status outright by an
overwhelming 23 percentage points. This 23-point spread is the largest recorded in any
political status poll in Puerto Rico’s history. Read more... (July 14, 2008)
UN Special Committee Underscores Why Puerto Rico Self-Determination Process is Needed
The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization met Monday June 9 to discuss a draft
resolution urging the United States to expedite the process of self-determination for the people of
Puerto Rico. Read more... (June 23, 2008)
Statehood Issue Central to Outcome of PR Democratic Primary
Puerto Rican supporters of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama split distinctly on an issue not dealt with by mainland voters in the Puerto Rican primary Sunday, June 1st - Statehood for Puerto Rico. Senator Clinton's supporters in Puerto Rico heavily backed Statehood for Puerto Rico while Obama's did not, according to CNN's exclusive exit polls. Clinton handily defeated Obama by a margin of more than 2:1 with 68 percent to Obama's 32 percent in the island's party primary, the first since 1980. Among Clinton supporters, 72 percent said they want to see full U.S. Statehood for Puerto Rico, compared to 34 percent of Obama supporters. Read more...
Legislative Update:
Status Legislation Has Strong Bi-Partisan Support, Needs More
The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007 (H.R. 900) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives at the beginning of the 110th Congress in February, 2007 by Representative José Serrano (D-New York) and has enjoyed very significant bi-partisan support but additional opportunity for more House members to support the legislation remains. Corresponding legislation in the U.S. Senate (S.1936) introduced by Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colorado) is in a similar position. The House bill passed out of committee in October of last year but a full vote by the House of Representatives has yet to be scheduled. Senate Supporters of Puerto Rico Democracy Act by State | Read more... (May 27, 2008)
Council Founder Padilla Speaks Out on Federal Authority: Prosecution of Corruption Exposes Myth of Commonwealth Status Autonomy
Statehood for Puerto Rico Gets Additional Boost with Fortuno as Island's Pro-Statehood Candidate for Governor - Fortuno tops island Statehood Primary - Pierluisi Statehood Democrat Candidate for Resident Commissioner
Young Democrats of America Call for Representative Democracy for Puerto Rico
2007 Dallas Convention Enshrines 2006 Non-Territorial Position in Young Democrats platform, Statehooder Domenech elected YDA National Committeeman. Read more... (July 27, 2007)
Mainland, PR Statehood Groups Join with ACU for Roundtable Discussion
Representatives from Puerto Rico Statehood organizations and pro-statehood officials from Puerto Rico and the mainland United States, met with Mr. David A. Keene and Mr. William Lauderback, Chair and Vice Chair respectively, of the American Conservative Union (ACU) in Washington DC Friday May 3rd for a roundtable discussion of issues relating to Puerto Rico Statehood. Chairman Antonio Monroig represented the U.S. Council for Puerto Rico Statehood. Other participants included Rafael Rodriguez, founder of the July 4th, 1899 Foundation; Dr. Carlos Chardon, Secretary of the Republican Party in Puerto Rico; Rocio Velez, President of Americans for Puerto Rico Statehood, Puerto Rico State Senator Roberto Arango (San Juan - PR) and Luis Baco - Office of Rep Luis Fortuno, US House of Representatives. The ACU is the country's oldest and largest grassroots conservative lobbying organization. Mr Keene has chaired the group since 1984. Read more... (Washington DC, May 22, 2007)
110th Congress Status Legislation Update: Feb 16, 2007
Momentum Builds With More Co-Sponsors for Puerto Rico Status Legislation in the New Congress As of February 16th, 2007, twelve more members of the House have signed on as co-sponsors of the Puerto Rico status legislation, H.R. 900, The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007. The legislation was first introduced last year during the 109th Congress. It was re-introduced in the 110th on February 7th, 2007 by New York congressman Jose Serrano and the non-voting Puerto Rico delegate to the U.S. Congress, Luis Fortuno. These additional co-sponsors bring the number of supporters to 95; comprising 46 Republicans and 49 Democrats, indicating strong bi-partisan support. more...
110th Congress Status Legislation Update: Feb 9, 2007
Bipartisan Puerto Rico Status Legislation Re-Introduced in House of Representatives With the support of more than 60 Democrat and Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives, non-voting delegate of the Puerto Rican people to the U.S. Congress, Luis Fortuno and Democrat Jose Serrano (New York) re-introduced the Puerto Rico Democracy Act to the 110th Congress on February 7th. Serrano has been a vigorous defender of the right of Puerto Ricans to self-determination in the U.S. Congress. Serrano is the highest-ranking Puerto Rican in the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. more...
Young Democrats of America Endorse Democratic Process, Non-Territorial Choices for Puerto Rico
The official youth arm of the Democratic Party urges Congress to provide Puerto Rico clear options and the opportunity to democratically decide it's future; as a state, or an independent country. Click here for Press Release (Jan. 10, 2006)
President's Task Force Report on Puerto Rico's Status
Poll Shows Mainland Citizens Support PR Statehood A recent public opinion
survey commissioned by the Puerto Rico Herald shows
that U.S. citizens strongly support Puerto Rico’s
efforts towards political self-determination. Even
more impressive was the positive response received
concerning Puerto Rico statehood. The poll of 900
U.S. mainland registered voters was conducted in
June of this year by Opinion Dynamics of Cambridge,
Massachusetts. ...more
