Puerto Ricans Rally on Steps of Library of Congress Calling for Equality
November 19, 2013Contact: Paloma Zuleta, pzuleta at lulac.org, (202) 812-4477
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, more than 300 people representing the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico gathered on the steps of the Library of Congress to press the U.S. House of Representatives to vote on—and to pass—H.R. 2000, the Puerto Rico Status Resolution Act, a bipartisan bill that outlines the rights and responsibilities of statehood, provides for an up-or-down vote in Puerto Rico on the territory’s admission as a state, and prescribes the steps the president and Congress would take if a majority of voters favor admission.
On November 6, 2012, the people of Puerto Rico participated in a plebiscite, voting against continuing the current territory status and in favor of statehood. Statehood would enable the 3.6 million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico to vote in presidential elections and to have full voting representation in Congress. Statehood would also ensure that Puerto Rico is treated equally under all federal laws.
Since WWI, more than 200,000 Puerto Ricans have defended our country’s democratic principles through service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Moreover, our country has benefited greatly from their contributions to the arts, sports, music, business and the sciences. The fact is: Puerto Rico is already an integral part of the United States, not only because of these contributions, but also because island residents celebrate and practice the same family-focused traditions as all other Americans.
At today’s rally, LULAC was proud to stand in solidarity with its LULAC members from Puerto Rico and the advocates who are demanding equal treatment, through statehood, for the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico.
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