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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 17, 2020 02:56 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Angel Cruz |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Urging the United State Congress to Recognize the November 2020 Plebiscite and Grant Statehood to Puerto Rico |
| Puerto Ricans have been proud American citizens for more than 100 years. During that time, the people of Puerto Rico have developed strong political, economic, social, and cultural ties to the United States, achieving success in the U.S. military, in business, and in government. The political status of Puerto Rico is an issue of overwhelming importance, yet the federal government has systematically avoided the question of self-determination. For many years, Puerto Rico’s nonvoting congressional delegates have introduced legislation that would grant statehood – and all of the material and symbolic benefits associated with such recognition - to Puerto Rico based on the outcome of a vote by those living on the island. Unfortunately, Congress has never acted on these bills. On November 3, 2020, Puerto Ricans once again requested statehood in a nonbinding referendum, with 52.3 percent of voters in favor of changing the island’s status from unincorporated territory to U.S. state. This is the sixth time statehood has been on the ballot since Puerto Rico ratified its Constitution in 1952. Only Congress can add new states to the Union, and Puerto Rico has no empowered representation in the federal government. That means Puerto Ricans need others’ help advocating for them and their interests in Congress. Put another way, they don’t have a direct voice. Therefore, I will be introducing a resolution urging the United States Congress to recognize and act upon the November 3, 2020, plebiscite results. There’s no doubt that a majority of the Puerto Rican electorate favors statehood, and recent proposals to not immediately act on the will of the people reject the equality of Puerto Ricans and their desire for statehood. Please join me in giving a voice to Puerto Rico by urging Congress to recognize the November 2020 plebiscite and begin the process to grant statehood to Puerto Rico. |
Introduced as HR20