Orrin Hatch: “I have been to Puerto Rico. I have to say it is a beautiful land. These are our fellow citizens. They have to make this…”

“I have been to Puerto Rico. I have to say it is a beautiful land. These are our fellow citizens. They have to make this determination. Of course, we should give them that right. I have heard both arguments within Puerto Rico. Some feel it is a great idea to have statehood. Others don't think it is quite so great. There are disadvantages to becoming a State. There is no question about it. But there are great advantages as well. All we are doing here this evening is acknowledging as Members of the U.S. Senate the right of our fellow U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico to express democratically their views regarding their future political status through a referendum or other public forum, and to communicate those views to the President of the United States and to the Congress. That is the least we could do. These are good people. These are proud people. These are people who have contributed to this country--and who will contribute to this country--even though their status has been different from other citizens. I personally endorse and support this resolution here this evening. I hope and I know that it will pass. It will pass unanimously, which I think is the high tribute to the people of Puerto Rico and to those on both sides of this issue down there. I congratulate all of those who have worked so hard to get this done, especially Senator Murkowski, Senator Torricelli, the others who have been mentioned, Senator D'Amato and Senator Domenici.”