Remarks of U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall
Remarks of U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall
Ranking Democrat - Resources Committee
Oversight Hearing on the
Report by the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To the people of Puerto Rico, to the families who have lost a husband, a father, a daughter, a son, in our wars, in the defense of the United States, I take this moment to salute you. We can debate political status. But what is not subject of debate is the patriotism of the people of Puerto Rico.
The Island's century long history within the American family has been significant. Ceded by Spain as a result of war, Puerto Rico was one of the first areas outside of the continental United States where the American flag was raised. To the U.S., it marked a milestone in our own political development. Where once our union of States were renegade English colonies, we then stepped into a role that we once fought against.
Given our own experience, would anyone have imagined that our new colony would be disenfranchised and kept unequal in our political framework? Our commitment to Puerto Rico's advancement under the 1898 Treaty of Paris would be our judge.
If our measure of success is today's Puerto Rico, then I say Puerto Rico has done well by the United States. It is a showcase of democracy in the Carribean. Having some of the highest voter turnout rates in our Nation, Puerto Rico shames many of our own States with its energy and enthusiasm in electing its leaders. Economically, it is a powerhouse in the Carribean and considered a home away from home for many mainland Fortune 500 companies.
Equal in importance to Puerto Rico's political and economic prowess is the Island's contributions to our own social fabric. Every aspect of American art, music, theater, and sport has been influenced by Puerto Rico's own culture and its people. And beyond such contributions, there remains Puerto Rico's patriotism, beginning in World War I where twenty-thousand Puerto Ricans served in the U.S. military. There is no doubt that tens of thousands more are currently serving in our armed forces, fighting our wars and dying for our country.
The Committee convenes this morning because in spite of what we have gained from each other, there has been no ultimate achievement in Puerto Rico's political status - which is really the greatest commitment the U.S. has to all of our territories.
In the past century, three plebiscites have gauged the people's desires to advance their current political status in the American family as a U.S. territory. It has become clearer that with each completed plebiscite, all has become vague, with a choice of "None of the Above" garnering more votes than any other political status option on the ballot in the 1998 plebiscite.
An effort was undertaken by former President Clinton to bring more clarity to the issue by establishing, through Executive Order, a Task Force to review what status options could be considered viable to establish a non-territorial form of government for Puerto Rico. The Order was honored in the Bush Administration and we have those recommendations before us today.
I believe that this Committee's responsibility is to be an honest broker with the people of Puerto Rico as this issue moves forward. It would be misleading to ignore the recommendations of this Report, the positions of previous Administrations, our Committee's own record, international law, indeed our country's Constitution.
At the table of these United States, Puerto Rico has sat for more than a century on a two-legged stool. It is not fully empowered. It does not have full representation. And that is wrong.
For in this day and age, certainly, all people represented by a democracy should have an equal voice on issues which not only effect them but future generations as well. Puerto Rico has been denied this equal voice for far too long.
In my opinion, this Report makes clear which paths can be tread. It keeps us honest with Puerto Rico. No matter where any of us personally lean, we have a duty to be clear and honest in this process and let the majority of the people of Puerto Rico decide their future.
And with this Report and this meeting today, I believe we are starting a process that will one day be looked upon as one of those rare moments when history itself seemed to hold its breath.
Thank you.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ii00_democrats/prenglish.html