SERRANO'S SPEECH HITS A CHORD IN THE HOUSE

[Leticia_g]

SERRANO'S SPEECH HITS A CHORD IN THE HOUSE

Washington, D.C. (July 16) - Congressman José E. Serrano's (D-NY) floor statement yesterday protesting the colonial status of Puerto Rico caught the attention of several fellow House Members as they voted on a resolution officially commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Island's current constitution and political status. After a one day delay, Serrano, expecting to be the lone protest vote in opposition to the measure, was joined by 31 other Members voting no while three more merely voted "present" instead of the expected vote in favor.

"I voiced my opposition to this measure because I thought it was important for people to remember that Puerto Rico is still a colony. No matter how you dress it up, the current status of the Island and its political arrangement with the United States is colonial. This needs to change," Serrano said.

"At the end of the day, 32 Members voted against this measure because they realize that celebrating the 50th anniversary of this constitution celebrates 50 years of a colonial arrangement. This is not correct for Puerto Rico and even less so for the United States when this nation is promoting freedom and self-determination worldwide. Without a change, all of our fellow American citizens living on the Island will not have their full rights. They will remain second class citizens.

"This vote is important because it brings the issue of the Island's colonial status back to the table for discussion. After falling off the radar screen for a long time, this vote has sparked discussion again. In the House of Representatives discussions have reached a new high and in Puerto Rico the issue has regained heat. All of this happened because of a simple speech. That's important.

"And though this was first intended simply as a protest vote, several prominent other Members also realized that enough is enough with our colonial relationship with Puerto Rico. It's important for Puerto Rico to be able to choose an option that does not keep it subject to colonial rule and its citizens with second class rights," he concluded.

[conciencia]

Gracias por traerlo! Si me permites lo usare por esos lares!

[LatinoPR]

And? I see only people getting upset, but where is the beef? I believe that all the Puerto Ricans serving in the U.S. Congress should get together and push a bill with other Hispanic and Black caucus Congressmen and women and force the rest of the ulta right wing, anti-Puerto Rican congress on both sides of the aisle to openly vote against the bill to force Puerto Rico to decide. Then take that to the United Nations and show the world that U.S. has been lying all these years! Maybe Gutierrez, Velazquez, and Serrano, should get off their butts and really push the edge of the envelope!

[Leticia_g]

Let me tell you that I feel that Gutierrez, Velazquez and Serrano are doing a great job in showing and supporting our goals to be an independent nation.

Realize that it is not always to the best interest of our cause to be radical or to act out of line. At times a surprise statement and backing them with the exposure that we have gotten gets more action. These individuals know that they cannot cut their own throat because if they do they will not be able to help in the same manner.

My belief is, "Speak softly but carry a big stick," I know they follow suit.

Much respect!

[LatinoPR]

With all due respect Doño Leticia_q. I am happy you feel that way, but I know that I have not seen not one of them present a bill in Congress for the liberation of Puerto Rico. You state "it is not always to the best interest of our cause to be radical or to act out of line". African Americans acted out of line and got their civil rights, why not us? I believe in working within the system, but my lord, if we keep this up, we will never be free! I have grown up seeing many committees, congressional hearings, and three waste of time and money plebiscites for nothing. With respect to the three Gongressmen and woman. Gutierrez is a beliver in independence. Velazquez, she is a believer in the status quo and the PPD,(if she changed to independence, that is news to me). Serrano, well I really do not know what status he wants, but I do know he does not believe in el ELA. I did like his comments on celebrating a fake status. But really, what has all talk gotten us? Nada, nil...and that is exactly what we have gotten from Congress, lip service! You state: "These individuals know that they cannot cut their own throat because if they do they will not be able to help in the same manner". Again, we need real action and true patriots do not worry about themselves, but about their fellow countrymen and women. The Maestro, Don Albizu believed that, and I quote

"La Patria es Valor y Sacrificio".
Don Pedro Albizu Campos

Let us not sit around anymore. Lets really fight for a true change anyway we can, but through legal means. We need change now! Puerto Rico needs to be rescued and saved before it is too late.

[Ecuajey]

Serrano believes in independence and was the principal figure in forcing the FBI to apologize and release files concerning 'Las Carpetas.'

Velasquez did work for the PPD and Rafael Hernández Colón, but many PPDs are pro-independence.

Gutierrez is very pro-independence. I agree with you that these Congressmen/woman should push further their agendas in Congress, but it isn't that easy. Serrano releasing those documents was important to the independentistas and PR. It was a step.

You can't just present a bill asking for the independence of Puerto Rico, it wouldn't survive. Puerto Rico isn't even ready. They should push more, but remember, they are Congressmen/woman of New York and Chicago, not Puerto Rico. Luis Gutierrez won the Democratic primary against a Mexican Attorney, which was very ground-breaking when most of his constituents are Mexican. Though the big thing in the slander-campaign was that he paid too much attention on Vieques and not the crime and poverty of his 4th district, which I have to say is true.

So yes, they are Puerto Rican and should fight for their homeland, but they are still USA Congressmen/woman, and supporting Puerto Rico is hard when they have other things to tend to.

[LatinoPR]

Amigo, I understand that it might not be that easy to present a bill for any change in status, but it would not hurt. Do you really think they would not consider independence or a true political change for PR (Congressmen and women) if we push it with several hispanic and black caucus backers? If it did not go anywhere, we could point that out in the world forum and show that we are not allowed to true self-determination. We got to be like an Army, hitting from all sides. If the three Congressmen and woman need to worry about their folks on the mainland, then they have no business in ours on the island. Three against the rest are nothing, but if they get help from others, they have a better fight in the world forum, in congress, the Hague, and the United Nations. We need action now! Puerto Rico is going down fast and there is no one throwing a line. Dios nos salve!