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U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall [D-WV] held hearing Official photo
Last week some of the most interesting political testimony on Capitol Hill was from the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources where for almost three hours the topic was self-determination for Puerto Rico.
The full committee heard testimony on the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009, H.R. 2499, a resolution, "To provide for a federally sanctioned self-determination process for the people of Puerto Rico."
Chair Nick J. Rahall [D-WV] opened the session indicating his full support for self-determination by Puerto Rico. Rahall reviewed a 111-year history of America's oldest colony, acquired by conquest during the Spanish-American War.
Rahall noted that the status of Puerto Rico was not resolved despite over 40 bills to clarify the matter and a dozen congressional hearings on the topic. Rahall also recited the three plebiscites and one referendum on the matter of Puerto Rico's national status and still no ultimate achievement in an outcome.
President George Bush's recent White House Task Force on the matter also failed to bring resolution to the unresolved status of the island.
Rahall said that H.R. 2499 would provide an "unambiguous path" to self-determination which Rahall called "a basic right."
Two members of Congress also testified in favor of the Puerto Rico Democracy Act, Representative Dan Burton [R-IN] and Alan Grayson [D-FL].
Puerto Rico's Governor Luis Fortuno called the present unresolved status "abhorrent" because it deprived U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico of a presidential vote.
Former Governor Carlos Romero-Barcelo (1977-1982) said that for most of Puerto Rico's territorial status with the United States it was a "colony by conquest" however, following adoption of Commonwealth status, it became a "colony by consent" but remained a colony.
Also making statements in support of self-determination for Puerto Rico were delegates from the Marianas Islands, American Samoa, and Guam.
Hector Ferrer Rios of Puerto Rico's Popular Democratic Party also spoke in favor of self-determination but was concerned that H.R. 2499 was biased in favor of statehood and urged the committee to reword the resolution. Ruben Berrios-Martinez of the Puerto Rican Independence Party said self-determination was a "moral and legal right" and was one of the "inalienable rights" enjoyed under the U.S. Constitution.
The self-determination resolution has 150 co-sponsors and appears headed to the House floor for a vote in this session of Congress.
Three years ago, Gregorio Igartua de la Rosa brought suit over the deprivation of the presidential vote for U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico. After a split decision in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals and a powerful dissenting opinion by U.S. Circuit Judge Juan Torruella, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Igartua then took the matter to Organization of American States international court where the matter is still pending.
No date has been scheduled for a vote on H.R. 2499 by the committee.
To view hearing testimony: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=27&extmode=view&extid=268
Comments
After Peurto Rico,
it's Taiwan,the beautifual island, Formosa!
Carry on till Formosa Republic on th Earth!
self-determination require two elements
1. Taiwan is a colony!
2.Taiwan is currently ruled under foreign country or by foreign!
yes! Taiwanese currently controlled and ruled by
chinese-taipei's R.O.C.-in-exile!
So Taiwanese wake up!
Taiwan nor china!
you are taiwanese not Chinese!
God bless Formosa Republic!
Carry on till Formosa Republic on the Earth!
Statehood for Puerto Rico NOW!!!
Should there be the Self-Determination for Formosan, it should be the East-Timor style, not the Quebec, Canadian style. Quebec accepts Canada as its suzerain state vs. Timor did not put Indonesia as her suzerain state. Either PRC or ROC has nothing concerned with Formosa and Pescadores. The source of law for Formosa and Pescadores is the San Francisco Peace Treaty that became effective on April 28th, 1952. More important is it should not be done by the authority of ROC in any style or capacity. It makes no miss-understand if it is carry out by the Civil Government under USMG that is supported or ratified by the referendum.
Please remember ROC is the killer, is the principal executor of Chinese Holocausts during 1947 to 1990’s. These war crimes have no prescription to run away from the punishments in coming 100 or 200 years, until the truth is shown.
US Congress should honored the right of Puerto Ricans to express their opinion regarding their political relationship. This will be a historical moment as is the first time in one hundred and eleven years in which the US Congress surveys their opinion. They should honored General Miles promise of democracy and be willing to discuss directly with the people of Puerto Rico their opinion and finally end this type of slavery which is colonization.
Taiwan does not declare independent, Taiwanese will have genocide repeated after KMT did, even worsen.
The News revealed that 1 enemy (CCP) watches on 10 Taiwanese since 15 years ago, but after unit is successful will have 10 enemy watches 1 Taiwanese. Because Taiwan is part of China that PRC belongs to enemy CCP that aggressor attempt to destroy most Taiwanese sons or daughters, witch they are watching or targeted by enemy Chinese dictatorship (CCP) or its rebels of faction, those may disfigure in Taiwanese groups activities with secret dirty politics behind the curtain, or manipulated naïve Taiwanese children, hurt or secret injury or even murder.
Taiwanese MUST forget money that temptations from the aggressor CCP dirty tricks snares, and redirection for better fortune, there is only way how Taiwanese can change for future better fates? The right answer is vote to past REFERENDUM of civil rights or self-determinations Taiwanese homeland freedom independent that 100+ nations had done and declared independent since the Post-WW11.
Taiwanese are not revenge all in the past, but Chinese are always retaliation but never regret they done evil, even more Taiwanese daughters (or sons) produce Chinese children to admire the Chinese dictators or killers, and worship with. If those Chinese-Taiwanese work with Taiwanese in the same direction they are treated as same.
Even make wake up call the majority Taiwanese are fearful became feeble, and rather indulge in day-dreaming of Chinese offspring that is falsity, or dig one’s own grave.
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