SR115

A Senate Resolution urging the President and the Congress of the United States to take action to admit the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the Union as a state.

Whereas, Every resident of the Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico (Free Associated State of Puerto Rico) or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a United States citizen, having gained citizenship through the federal Jones-Shafroth Act of March 2, 1917; and

Whereas, Despite the residents of Puerto Rico having citizenship in the United States, until such time as Puerto Rico is designated as an official state of the United States, the people of Puerto Rico cannot fully participate in the democratic process of their nation, unlike the citizens of the United States who reside in one of the 50 states; and

Whereas, Many United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico have served, and continue to serve our country in the United States military, always responding to the call of defending our Nation in the name of liberty and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to maintain our freedom; and

Whereas, In a referendum on June 11, 2017, more than 500,000 Puerto Rican voters said they want the island to become the 51st state of the Union, which is 97 percent of voters who cast ballots on that question; and

Whereas, In September 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, killing nearly 3,000 people and resulting in an estimated $43 to $159 billion in economic damage; and

Whereas, The ongoing and historic inequalities resulting from Puerto Rico’s territorial status have slowed the Commonwealth’s post-disaster recovery, compared to what has happened in other jurisdictions stateside; and

Whereas, The people of the State of New Jersey and of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico enjoy close and friendly business, personal, and cultural relationships; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper, and in the interests of the people of Puerto Rico and the residents of New Jersey, for this Senate to urge the President and Congress of the United States to support statehood for Puerto Rico; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House respectfully urges the President and Congress of the United States to take action to admit the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the Union as a state.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of New Jersey.

STATEMENT

This resolution respectfully urges the President and the Congress of the United States to take appropriate steps towards admitting the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the Union as the 51st state.

Puerto Ricans are United States citizens and pledge allegiance to the United States flag. Throughout history, the United States citizens of Puerto Rico have responded to the call of defending our Nation in the name of freedom, by serving in the military. However, Puerto Ricans residing in Puerto Rico are not allowed to vote for President, while the Puerto Ricans living in the 50 United States have full voting rights. Statehood is also essential for Puerto Rico’s recovery from natural disasters such as Hurricane Maria.

On June 11, 2017, 97 percent of voters in Puerto Rico indicated in a referendum their desire for statehood. However, since that time, no official designation has occurred and steps to advance such designation have stalled. As citizens of the United States, the people of Puerto Rico deserve to have their voices heard.