Jenniffer Gonzalez Presents Binding Status Consultation Before Congress

Statement

The resident commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, along with José Serrano (D-NY), Darren Soto (D-FL), Don Young (R-AK) Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Rob Bishop (R- UT) who are part of the group of 45 congressmen presented a bipartite bill to direct the admission of Puerto Rico as a state of the Union.

The measure follows the same process of admission of Alaska and Hawaii when holding a binding consultation with a direct question: State yes or no. The Puerto Rican legislature would not have to wait for Congress to approve the measure to begin the legislative process on the island; the consultation is stipulated on the same day as the next general elections in Puerto Rico in November 2020.

At the press conference, the resident commissioner was accompanied by Congressmen José Serrano, Rob Bishop, Don Young, Stephanie Murphy and Donna Shalala; Mayors María "Mayita" Meléndez de Ponce and Rosachely Rivera de Gurabo; Senator Miguel Laureano; the representatives José Enrique "Quiquito" Meléndez, José Aponte and Eddie Charbonier; as well as the "Shadow Senator" and co-chair of the Equality Commission, Zoraida Fonalledas and the "Shadow Representative" and former governor Luis Fortuño.

The measure, sponsored by 45 congressmen from both national political parties, seeks to hold a consultation with the people of Puerto Rico where they will have the opportunity to confirm the support for statehood already expressed in the last two consultations on the political status of 2012 and 2017; This would be the same process through which Hawaii and Alaska went through. This will be followed by the implementation of measures aimed at transitioning to Puerto Rico as a state of the Union.

"This historic bill leads us towards the political equality that our people deserve. A query endorsed by the federal government will be presented to the people of Puerto Rico, where the American citizens living on the island will be asked: "Do you approve of Puerto Rico being admitted as a state of the Union, YES or NO?" , as was done in Alaska and Hawaii, this is the big difference of this measure, "explained González Colón.

"It is time to end the colonial status of Puerto Rico that allows the discrimination of 3.2 million American citizens residing on the Island. This bill will allow the people of Puerto Rico to vote in a plebiscite yes-or-no statehood. Yes the people of Puerto Rico vote in favor of statehood, will have full representation with the right to vote and equal treatment in all federal programs. The time to act is now and that is why I am sponsoring the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act, "he said. Congressman José Serrano (D-NY).

The measure presented outlines a process fully compatible with the Constitution and laws of the United States, including Public Law 113--76, on the financing of the information process for an electoral status consultation.

If the people of Puerto Rico vote in favor of becoming a state, in this consultation that would be recognized by the federal government, there will be a period of no more than 30 months for the President of the United States to proclaim the annexation of Puerto Rico and begin The process towards transition.

The public policy of the transition, the legislative and administrative details will be addressed through legislative and administrative processes once the people of Puerto Rico, once again validate their preference for statehood.

Expressions of support for the measure:


The people of Puerto Rico have voted twice for statehood, "said representative Darren Soto (D-FL-09). I am proud to work with resident commissioner Gonzalez-Colon to make their voices heard. "

"Being Alaska the second youngest state in the nation, I am deeply familiar with the debate and deliberations that involve deciding whether or not statehood is sought. Although federal laws apply in Puerto Rico, its 3.2 million American citizens do not have right to participate in national elections, cannot vote for the president and do not have full representation in Congress, I am proud to support this legislation to provide a referendum with the assistance of the United States Department of Justice and create a route to statehood I have always been in favor of the island's right to self-determination, and this bill empowers Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico faces many problems, including economic difficulties and continuing hurricane recovery efforts.Finally, Congress must consider admitting Puerto Rico into the Union, but in the meantime, I will continue to do everything in my power to help Puerto Rico overcome the difficult obstacles they face today, "Rep. Don Young (R-Ak ).

"For more than 120 years, the status of Puerto Rico as a territory of the United States has deprived residents of the island of democracy and equality. The best way forward is for Puerto Rico to conduct a fair vote on whether wants to become a state, sponsored by the federal government. I hope the people of Puerto Rico confirm that they support statehood and, if they do, I will work outside the party lines to ensure that Congress respects their wishes, "Rep. Stephanie Murphy ( D-FL-07)

"The filing of this bill of statehood by the representative González Colón is an important step in the ongoing conversation about the future of the Island. I recognize the Resident Commissioner for her unwavering support to achieve a more stable and vibrant Puerto Rico "- Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT-01).

"The right to self-determination resides in the very heart of American democracy," said Donna Shalala (D-FL-27). This measure will allow the people of Puerto Rico to exercise that right by making a plebiscite about statehood for the island. Regardless of the result of the referendum, this measure is about giving Puerto Rico the power to make a decision about the future of the status of your home. I think it is time for Puerto Rico to become a state and this measure is the way to do it. "

"Statehood is not a purely political issue. It is about civil rights, equality and advancing social justice for thousands of American citizens. So we will always support efforts to speed up that justice. Hurricane María is the best evidence of the urgency of achieving equal treatment for Puerto Ricans ", Mayita Meléndez Altieri - (Mayor - Municipality Ponce, Puerto Rico)

"I am pleased to accompany the resident commissioner in this effort to advance the process of achieving statehood. This project will give Puerto Ricans an opportunity to reiterate their desire to achieve equality and thus guarantee equal rights. On the other hand, It is always a good time to remind congressmen that the current status of the island is one that puts us at a disadvantage to the rest of the citizens of the nation, "said Rosachely Rivera Santana, mayor of Gurabo.

"Any action that helps to end the colonial problem of Puerto Rico in a final way has to be supported," José Aponte (Accumulation Representative of Puerto Rico)

"We support the initiative of our Resident Commissioner to present a project to Congress so that Puerto Ricans can decide on our status. It is time for our colonial situation to be elucidated and for us to have the equality to which the great majority aspires. This deed of our leader in Congress represents a step forward in that struggle that our leaders have carried out for many years. "This effort to resolve the colonial problem of Puerto Rico is a step forward that deserves all our support. We fully endorse this process and we pledge that, together with our leadership, we will lead efforts to carry the message to the electorate of the benefits and advantages of voting in favor of statehood, "Miguel Laureano Correa, (Senator for the District of Humacao of Puerto Rich).

"My thanks to Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González for continuing to take steps in the right direction. The filing of this project keeps the debate on the status of Puerto Rico open in Congress. Our people want statehood and they have expressed it at the polls. That is why it is vitally important to continue the fight. Statehood is not given away, we have to fight it and many Puerto Ricans have paid with the last sacrifice the right to equality ", José" Quiquito "Meléndez - (Representative for the accumulation of Puerto Rico)

"We appreciate the efforts made by our Resident Commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, for statehood for Puerto Rico through the presentation of this project at the congress with bipartite support. The problem of status is one that affects us all as a people, the inequality created by the colonial condition in which we currently live does not allow us to obtain the same benefits that are received in the states of the American nation. This statehood consultation, whether or not, will serve as ratification for 61.16% of the voters who favored statehood in the 2012 plebiscite and 97.13% who recently in 2017 gave their support to statehood, achieving the highest percentage in support obtained in the 5 plebiscites that have been made in Puerto Rico since 1967.

"It is a historic moment in the fight for the Equality of Puerto Ricans. This legislation presented today by our Congresswoman Jenniffer González constitutes a new chapter in this patriotic deed of our movement. The time has come for Puerto Ricans to achieve equality with the same rights and responsibilities as our fellow citizens in all 50 states, "said Zoraida Fonalledas," Shadow Senator "and co-chair of the Equality Commission.

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