HISTORICAL VIEWS ON POLITICAL STATUS OF U.S. TERRITORIES

FROM THE OTR ARCHIVES

HEARING

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED FIFTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H.R. 856

A BILL TO PROVIDE A PROCESS LEADING TO FULL SELF-GOVERNMENT

FOR PUERTO RICO

MARCH 19, 1997

WASHINGTON, DC

Serial No. 105–16

__________________________________

STATEMENT OF HON. DONNA CHRISTIAN-GREEN 

A U.S. DELEGATE IN CONGRESS 

FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

"Mr. Chairman, 

Ranking member, 

Thank you for this opportunity to give brief opening remarks on H.R. 856, a bill to provide a process leading to full self government for Puerto Rico.

This process is an important one, and one which I am committed to see go forward. My only concern, and what I see as my duty, as we move forward, is to insure that the people of Puerto Rico have a process in which they will be able to choose freely and fairly the status which most realizes their hopes and aspirations.

In order to have this happen, it is important that each option be presented objectively and be given equal treatment in the bill.

It would be a travesty for the people of Puerto Rico to choose an option based on misunderstanding the issues involved, or on limited or lack of knowledge of how the proposed change would impact their lives.

I take special interest in this process, not only on behalf of the People of Puerto Rico, our neighbors and our friends, but because of the importance of this process to all of the offshore possessions. Each one of us is or will be traveling the path of redefinition of our relationship to the U.S. What happens here will set the precedent and the tone for us.

I want to take this opportunity to welcome the witnesses, and to express my confidence that we can work together to make this vehicle of Puerto Rican self-expression one that will truly result in the future that its citizens desire."