Political Quotes

Patrick Kennedy: “The reason why this is so awful to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) and people of Puerto Rican descent is…”

On the recordMarch 4, 1998
The reason why this is so awful to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) and people of Puerto Rican descent is the same reason it is awful for people who feel that we ought to have statehood for Puerto Rico. That is, without statehood the people of Puerto Rico are put down. Just as she said, without statehood, the people of Puerto Rico can have their citizenship denied, because it will be up to this Congress in its constitutional authority, given the fact that Puerto Rico is a territory under the territorial clause of this United States Constitution, that at any time this Congress can take away the citizenship of the people of Puerto Rico.
Said by
Patrick Kennedy
Rhode Island
Source
govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the implications of Puerto Rico's territorial status and the lack of statehood.

Share

Share on XShare on FacebookEmail this quote

More from Patrick Kennedy

Jul 27, 2005

Just to answer the lady about walking the walk and talking the talk, this administration and this Congress just cut child labor enforcement around the world by 87 percent in our dollars that we contribute to the international labor…

govinfo.gov
May 23, 2002

I believe the war is not free and there must be shared sacrifice, and for us to have shared sacrifice we do not cut the top marginal rate on the wealthiest of Americans and put the bill on the future generations to pay for this bill.

govinfo.gov
Jun 24, 2005

In politics there are show horses and there are work horses. This process, instead of seeking a solution, only sought headlines. We had an opportunity to make real progress and address the concerns of these tribes. Instead of addressing…

govinfo.gov
Jul 19, 2006

In 1960 my uncle, President Kennedy, in one of his remarks in the inaugural address said, ultimately, our truest test here on Earth, we need to make sure we do God's will, because God's work is ultimately our own. I find it so interesting…

govinfo.gov
View all Patrick Kennedy quotes

Other voices in this conversation