PRSSA: Miranda Marín is wrong about Pelosi & HR 2499
The Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association (PRSSA) challenged the mayor of Caguas, William Miranda Marín, when he suggested, as reported by El Vocero, that Cong. Pierluisi’s Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009, that provides for a federally sanctioned self-determination process for Puerto Rico, was destined to fail because of opposition from the Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi. “No one in the opposition really knows the workings of Congress,” Raúl Vidal, President of PRSSA commented to PRPolNews. “They say the Speaker is against this bill, but this a new and different Congress, and her stance is new and different as well,” Vidal added.
For this and other news about Puerto Rico politics and policy, visit PRPolNews.com.
Fla Gov Crist Issues “PR Discovery Month” Proclamation
The Puerto Rican Chamber of Sarasota/Manatee announced today that Governor Charlie Crist of Florida has proclaimed November 2009 Discovery of Puerto Rico month. According to Chamber President Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder, with this proclamation “Governor Charlie Crist of Florida acknowledges over one million Puerto Ricans in the state of Florida, who can contributed to the growth, commerce, service men & women in 516 years of Discovery of the Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico.” The Chamber, together with the Puerto Rican Business Roundtable, will be unveiling the proclamation at an event in the Tampa Port Authority scheduled for July 10th.
For more news on Puerto Rico politics and policy, visit PRPolNews.com.
Someone collecting signatures against PR status bill
Website Care2PetitionSite has started collecting signatures for a petition against HR 2499, the newly-introduced bill dealing with Puerto Rico’s political status authored by Puerto Rico’s Commissioner Resident Pedro Pierluisi. The site claims that Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez and Congressman Luis Gutiérrez oppose the bill, and also asks that people send letters in opposition to Velázquez, Gutiérrez and Cong. José Serrano. From the page it is not clear who is behind the campaign.
For more information on Puerto Rico news on politics and policy, visit PRPolNews.com.
7PM (EST) Live Webcast with Gov. Luis Fortuño
La Fortaleza’s Website is promoting a live Webcast with Gov. Luis Fortuño beginning at 7 PM Eastern, Thursday May 21. The message in Spanish is below:
New Special Edition on PR Democracy Act of 2009
PRPolNews has put together a “special edition” covering the bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representative by PR Commissioner Resident Pedro Pierluisi dealing with Puerto Rico’s political status. As with our other special editions (check them out if you haven’t visited them before), we will keep it updated as the process unfolds.
Pierluisi presents PR status bill to Congress
Both Puerto Rico daily El Nuevo Dia and the Puerto Rico Statehood Student Association are reporting that Commissioner Resident Pedro Pierluisi, alongside Natural Resources Committee chairman Nick Rahall (D- WV) and with 80 plus co-sponsors signed up, on Tuesday introduced legislation providing for first-ever federally sanctioned referenda that would consult the people of the island whether or not they wish to keep the current relation with the federal government, or whether they wish to opt for an alternative to its territorial status. Pierluisi and PRSSA are predicting broad bipartisan support for the bill.
For more news about Puerto Rico politics and policy, visit PRPolNews.com.
Pierluisi ready to introduce status legislation
Puerto Rico daily El Nuevo Día is reporting that Commissioner Resident Pedro Pierluisi this week will introduce legislation allowing two referenda on the status question. One would allow native-born Puerto Ricans (no matter where they reside) to decide whether they want to change the Commonwealth’s current political status. If the answer to that question is “yes”, then a second referendum would allow Boricuas to select between statehood, a new form of “free association” or pact with US, or complete independence.
PRPolnews (www.prpolnews.com) will keep updating on this important political issue for anyone interested in Puerto Rico news.
PR pro-statehood student group says Lieberman supports status bill
The Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association reports that Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman informed Governor Luis Fortuño, Commissioner Resident Pedro Pierluisi, and PRSSA Executive Director Raúl Vidal that he will support Pierluisi’s efforts to get a local vote on PR’s status, soon. The communications occurred during a luncheon organized by PRSSA. The group this week also announced the commencement of a lobbying campaign in DC to gain bipartisan support for Pierluisi’s efforts.
For more information, in English and Spanish, on Puerto Rico political and policy news, visit PRPolNews.com.
Puerto Rico Senate approves pro-Sotomayor Resolution for Sup. Ct.
Puerto Rico daily Primera Hora is reporting that the PR Senate passed a resolution urging President Obama to name Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Sup. Court, replacing Souter. Although Sotomayor was born in New York, her heritage is Puerto Rican, with both parents originally from the island territory.
For more news about Puerto Rico politics and policy, visit PRPolnews.com www.prpolnews.com
PR Gov’t Chicago, Orlando Offices to remain closed
Caribbean Business is reporting that Federal Affairs Administration Executive Director Richard Figueroa has decided to keep the Chicago and Orlando PRFAA’s Offices closed for now, due to budget issues. The D.C. and N.Y remain open. At one time, there were as many as 13 PR offices in the mainland.
For more political and policy news about Puerto Rico, visit PRPolNews (www.prpolnews.com).
Emma T. Suarez
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