This bill will, at long last, give us that chance. What would be more right?

We all know what Statehood means, and there are 50 successful examples of that. We all know what independence means, and we all know what the present territorial status means.

Why does Congress need to act? Because there is a patently obvious need for the territory's real options to be clarified.

That's what binds this great country together, is the values we share. That's why we're proud to be Americans.

I hope this Committee, like the House before it, will show respect for the people of Puerto Rico by leveling with them about their real choices.

Colonial rule, consented or not, constitutes a denial of the elementary principle of democracy which requires participation of the governed in determining the laws under which they live.

Puerto Ricans--and I am sure I speak here for the great majority of our people--are sick and tired of the condescending and cavalier attitude of the U.S. Government.

Those of us in Puerto Rico who respect ourselves and believe in democracy and self-determination repudiate this hoax that perpetuates colonialism.

All Americans believe in democracy. In Puerto Rico, we believe in democracy, and the only thing we want is the right to decide for ourselves our future in a level playing field.

What should Congress do, then? It should simply declare its intention to put an end to colonial rule in Puerto Rico.

I would respectfully pose to you that if the 'free beer and barbeque' option had been one of the options in Alaska, you would not have gotten a 2 to 1 margin.

the voters must understand that what Commonwealth means, as the author of that amendment states to Pedro Pierluisi and I, is the present status quo, which is a territorial status.

I want to commend you and thank you for standing up for the American citizens residing in Puerto Rico...

I strongly believe HR 2499 is the wrong way for Congress to address our political status issue since it does not signify a true, fair and democratic process of self determination.

This bill not only endangers the democratic principles that are the foundation of the United States of America but it also does not take into account the will of the majority of the people of Puerto Rico.

H.R. 2499 would enable the preferences of Puerto Ricans, among the real status alternatives, to finally be ascertained.

as Governor of 4 million American citizens residing in Puerto Rico, what I pledged to do was to try to get Congress to actually sponsor a process--a balanced and fair process--so that the voters would be guaranteed that they had a fair…

First of all, on behalf of the 4 million American citizens that reside in Puerto Rico, but especially the men and women that have served in uniform in defense of democracy since 1917, I cannot put a price tag on their lives, I'm very sorry.