10/21/1976
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"When I took office in 1974, I found many of our regulatory laws outdated and unintelligible."
"I SUBMIT herewith to the Congress the Puerto Rico Statehood Act of 1977."
"For these reasons, I recommend that the Senate give prompt consideration to these protocols and give its advice and consent to ratification at an early date."
"I urge the Congress to act."