Governor Pierluisi Together With The Resident Commissioner And Legislators Of The Island Promote Approval Of The Congressional Project H.R. 8393

Press Release

The Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi, reaffirmed his support and demanded the approval of the congressional project HR 8393 that promotes the celebration of a status referendum between non-territorial and non-colonial options.

Together with the Resident Commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón and legislators from the Island, the governor, from the Monument of Remembrance, demanded equality for all Puerto Ricans. During the press conference, which was preceded by a march in which veterans and members of organizations that promote equality for the Island also participated, the chief executive urged the approval of the project that would define the status of Puerto Rico.

"Today we reiterate our claim for equality by paying tribute to the Puerto Rican veterans who fought for the ideals of democracy of the American Nation. We are in the federal capital reaffirming the urgency that Puerto Rico has the opportunity to decide our political future through the vote and that Congress is committed to upholding the will of our people. We demand the equality that we deserve as American citizens and I will continue to fight for those rights until we achieve it," said Governor Pierluisi.

For her part, the Resident Commissioner joined the demand for the signing of the project. "It is with great pride that I join this group of leaders, veterans, and statehood advocates, many of whom come from Puerto Rico, to support the passage of HR 8393, the Puerto Rico Status Act. I worked alongside colleagues in Congress on a bill that embraces the needs and feelings of the people, proposing a clear and definitive path to resolve the dilemma of the current political status. As the only representative of Puerto Rico in Congress and before the federal government, I will continue to fight for the 3.2 million of American citizens on the island and our quest to end more than a hundred years of inequality and second-class citizenship," said González Colón.

Senator Keren Riquelme and Representative José Aponte, who led the march, thanked everyone who joined the demand for equality.

"I want to thank all of you, the American citizens who joined us in this expression of public support for equality, for statehood for Puerto Rico. Our message to Congress is one: enough is enough. Puerto Rico has the sad distinction of being the oldest colony in the world. This has to end now. The federal House of Representatives has the power and now, with HR 8393, the tool to end this injustice against American citizens. We want equality now!" said Senator Riquelme, organizer of the march.

Meanwhile, José Aponte expressed that "Today another page of the claim for equality for Puerto Rico is written with this expression that has counted on the common citizen of the Island, and with members of the body that has to take action (Congress). Giving up is not an option, we will continue fighting and demanding equal rights."

Legislators Carmelo Ríos, José "Che" Pérez, José "Quiquito" Meléndez, Ángel Morey and Jorge "Georgie" Navarro were among some of the legislators who were present, as well as congressional delegates Roberto Lefranc and Zoraida Buxó.

Retired Brigadier General Víctor Pérez, accompanied by a group of Puerto Rican veterans, presented a floral offering in the area of ​​the Monument dedicated to the soldiers of the Island.

"Puerto Ricans have proudly served in the past, we are doing so now and we will continue in the future, defending the democracy and justice of our nation, the United States.

It is incredible that, to this day, we, who have sacrificed our lives and our families, cannot vote for the Commander in Chief or have representation, with a vote, in Congress," said the retired brigadier general.

According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, some 72,000 Puerto Ricans participated in the United States armed forces during World War II (1941-45). Of these, over 53,000 saw active combat. The others, including 200 female nurses, assisted the military effort from bases throughout Puerto Rico, the continental United States, and other parts of the world.

Through HR 8393, and for the first time, Congress would authorize a binding plebiscite under federal auspices between the truly constitutionally viable non-territorial status options: Statehood, Independence, and Sovereignty in Free Association. The bill was filed in the House by the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee of the United States House of Representatives, Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Arizona.), with the co-authorship of Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón (R- Puerto Rico), Small Business Committee Chair Nydia M. Velázquez (D-New York), Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón (R-Puerto Rico), Representative Darren Soto (D-Florida) and the leader of the Majority Steny H. Hoyer (D-Maryland).

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