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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COUNCIL LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN FOR PUERTO RICO
STATEHOOD
Thursday, December 3, 1998
Contact: Michael Krull
301-664-9298
Washington, DC - The U.S. Council for Puerto Rico Statehood
announced today in Washington its formation, and the initiation
of a nationwide campaign to educate the American people about
Puerto Rico and its drive for self-determination for its 3.8 million
American citizens.
In a news conference called for the occasion, Council Chairman,
Dr. Hernan Padilla, said, "We want to draw the attention
of the American people to the historic plebiscite on the future
political status of the island that will be held in Puerto Rico
in 10 days, December 13." He was joined by representatives
of 17 like-minded organizations which have agreed to coordinate
their efforts.
Padilla predicted that the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico will
soon choose statehood. He stated that when they do, the Council
and other organizations supporting statehood will be active
in helping the people of the 50 states understand why Puerto Rico
deserves to be welcomed as a state and why Americans should actively
support it.
One of the reasons Padilla gave for supporting Puerto Rico
Statehood is that "the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico have
been loyal to the United States for over 100 years, have made
significant contributions to the country, and it is about time
to give them guaranteed U.S. citizenship, equal to that enjoyed
by other citizens." Currently, Puerto Rico residents cannot
vote for President and do not have voting representation in Congress.
Nor do they have rights to trial in federal courts. Ironically,
Puerto Ricans can move to any state and be able to enjoy those
rights as a resident of that state.
Padilla pointed out that over 200,000 soldiers, sailors and
marines from Puerto Rico have served in U.S. military service
in all our wars since the Spanish American War when Puerto Rico
was ceded to the U.S. by Spain. Over 2,000 have died in those
wars, and four have received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Padilla also said, "The U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico
have also made significant contributions to U.S. society and culture
in the arts, sciences and a multitude of professions. And as
a state, Puerto Rico's growth will make a positive economic contribution
to the United States as a whole. " Presently, Puerto Rico
costs U.S. taxpayers over $10 billion per annum. Puerto Rico
participates in most, but not all, federal assistance programs,
but does not pay federal income taxes.
Internationally, the United States must come to terms with
Puerto Rico, which is in essence a colony. Padilla made the point
that "As the leading democratic country in the world, the
United States cannot continue to be in the "Colony Business."
The Chairman was joined by members of the USCPRS board of directors,
council members and representatives of other participating organizations.
Board members include individuals from Virginia, Maryland, Alaska,
Alabama, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
Members hail from many other states.
Today's event signaled the formal beginning of coordinated
activities at the grass roots level to bring the message of Puerto
Rico statehood to every State in the Union. The USCPRS
hosted a number of other groups already in existence that share
the same objectives, and received commitments for coordinated
activity from a host of them, including the following:
Maine Commission for Puerto Rico Statehood
Massachusetts Commission for Puerto Rico Statehood
Statehood Foundation of Florida
Institute for Statehood Coordination
Rhode Island Commission for Puerto Rican Statehood
Organizing Committee for Puerto Rico Statehood of Western New
York
South Florida United Organization for Puerto Rican Statehood
United Statehood Organization of New York
Pro-Statehood 51-State of Illinois
Puerto Ricans for Statehood-Houston/Texas
Texas Pro-Statehood of Puerto Rico Educational Committee
Organizing Committee for Puerto Rico Statehood of Arizona
Iowa State Organizing Committee for Puerto Rico Statehood
VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT
WWW.PRSTATEHOOD.COM
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