Jack Kingston: “Mr. Chairman, I just rise in support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) that would…”

“Mr. Chairman, I just rise in support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) that would require the supermajority of 75 percent. The reason is that we have heard many times that no other States have had to have this requirement. But no other States have been so apparently divided on the question of becoming a State; no other territories, if you will. Mr. Chairman, I believe that 75 percent is conservative. I believe it is a minimum level. It would bother me that we would have a territory that wants to become a State with less than 75 percent. I would think, Mr. Chairman, that it would be 90 or 95 percent of the people wanting to join officially as a State into the great United States of America. I believe that the 75 percent is there because the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) and many Members of Congress realize that this is a controversial measure. It is a measure that is dividing the island of Puerto Rico. We do not know if it is going to be yes, we do not know if it is going to be no, but both sides agree that it is going to be a very, very close vote. I think it would be a shame to admit a new State to the Union where we do not have at least 75 percent of the people who enthusiastically are willing and want all the rights and privileges of being a State.”