Velazquez Statement on White House Task Force Report Regarding Puerto Rico

Velázquez Statement on White House Task Force Report Regarding Status of Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-12) submitted the following statement during a House Resources Oversight Committee Hearing on the White House's Task Force report regarding the status of Puerto Rico. The text of her statement is as follows:

"Thank you, Chairman Pombo, for holding this important hearing today, which I am sure is drawing a lot of attention in Puerto Rico and throughout Latino communities across the country. As one of the four Puerto Rican Members of Congress, I am personally invested, as well as many from my community, regarding the status of Puerto Rico. I appreciate the opportunity to be here today and provide my view on the Administration's Report regarding the political and socio-economic future of Puerto Rico.

"Whenever the debate about the status of Puerto Rico occurs, it still amazes me that the same old issues keep resurfacing in this committee and in the halls of Congress. These actions defy reason.

"We continue to talk about Puerto Rico, its past, present and possible future. Still, even with the endless debate, we do not seem to learn from the lessons of the previous efforts on this matter.

"This is especially true if you examine these past ten years. We have discussed, what limits our Constitution may or may not have? Whether this body would pre-commit to a status decision for the people of Puerto Rico? Should this body define for Puerto Ricans their status options? How much would any status change cost?

"What seems to be missing from this debate is the acknowledgment from Congress that instead of telling Puerto Ricans what they want, we should let Puerto Ricans tell us what they want.

"To continue to pursue a backwards approach to resolve an extremely complex issue is not the right or proper approach. We are a society that stands for freedom, democracy and justice. We are a country that promotes and encourages people to exercise their rights through free and fair elections. This, after all, is truest expression of one's right to self determination.

"So, with this in mind, please excuse my pessimism but, here we go again Mr. Chairman. In today's hearing we will listen to yet another version of the same ten year old argument. Let's tell Puerto Ricans what they want before they are actually given the ability to determine what they want. Why does Congress repeatedly try to micromanage this issue?

"I am troubled and concerned with the content of this report, which is authored by a Presidential task force, but does not seem to be supported or even acknowledged by the President. Mr. Chairman, considering the amount of research that has been previously undertaken on this issue regarding - - the economic, legal, social and political aspects - - the shortness and superficiality of this document should give all of us reason to be concerned.

"In comparison to previous efforts that offered broader analysis and more thorough research on the complexity of the issue, this latest iteration falls considerably short. The US-Puerto Rico Commission on the Status of Puerto Rico of the 1960's or the 1980's hearings chaired by then U.S. Senator Bennett Johnston were examples of the type of approach that the President needed from this task force in order to have all the facts at hand.

"To get an idea on the difference of these approaches, just compare the output of the 60's effort and then compare it to this report.

"United States government was so committed to that initiative that the members of that Commission were appointed by the President of the United States, the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the political parties in Puerto Rico.

"The current report seems to ignore legal interpretations, totally dismiss any economic argument and appears to speculate on issues which seem to only serve to create anxiety or even fear. The findings of this report on matters such as citizenship are extremely troubling. They extend far beyond the Puerto Rican community.

"They could have huge legal ramifications for immigrants who have become citizens as well as US citizens who are sons and daughters of foreign born nationals. Given the recent protests across the country to punitive immigration policy initiatives, this report sends the wrong type of message to our nation's immigrant community.

"I believe that paramount to this debate is fairness. In examining these issues once again, the highest priority should be given to what the people of Puerto Rico want and not to stack the deck to reach a predetermined outcome. Our efforts must not penalize nor favor one option over the other. We should allow Puerto Ricans to express their aspirations in a democratic manner.

"Mr. Chairman I appreciate the time you have granted me to share my thoughts on this important issue. This is, after all, a very sensitive and highly complicated issue that needs to be pondered seriously and competently. I look forward to working with you and the Members of the Resources Committee in providing the people of Puerto Rico a just and unbiased approach that guarantees a true expression of their self determination."

http://www.house.gov/velazquez/PressReleases/2006/pr042706.htm