Governor Rossello has appointed a group of five congressional representatives and two senators, known as the Puerto Rico Statehood Commission. Their first job will be to promote statehood. On the Commission there are three former governors: Carlos Romero Barcelo, Pedro Rosselló González, and Luis Fortuño.
Romero Barcello served as governor from 1977 to 1985. He also served as Resident Commissioner. Romero Barcello was educated at Yale University and the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. Romero Barcello is one of two Shadow Senators for Puerto Rico.
Pedro Rossello Gonzalez, who is the father of Governor Ricardo Rossello, was Governor of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001. President of the New Progressive Party from 1991 to 1999 and 2003 to 2008, he also served as Senator for the District of Arecibo from 2005 to 2008. He was educated at University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, the University of Notre Dame, and Yale University.
Luis Fortuño was Governor of Puerto Rico from 2009 to 2013. He also served as Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico, and has been a Republican National Committee member for some years. He presided over the only period of economic growth in Puerto Rico during this century. Fortuno was educated at Colegio Marista Guaynabo, the University of Virginia School of Law, and Georgetown University.
The Puerto Rico Statehood Commission was created under the Tennessee Plan approved by Act No. 30 of June 5, 2017 of the Puerto Rico Legislature. The goal of the Commission is to achieve equality through statehood for Puerto Rico. Like Tennessee and half a dozen other states, Puerto Rico is demanding action from Congress. Congress must act on the votes for statehood that took place in 2012 and 2017.
A bill calling for statehood is currently being prepared by Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon.
Puerto Rico needs action by Congress to achieve statehood. The Puerto Rico Equality Commission is an impressive bipartisan group of leaders, but you can also help. Contact your legislators and let them know that you care about Puerto Rico.Ask for their support for statehood for Puerto Rico. Ask them to welcome the Puerto Rico Equality Commission to Washington.
One response
As Chairman, 65th Infantry Honor Task Force, Inc. [The Borinqueneers] I have testified to the United Nations Committee for Decolonization, NYC Council Cultural Committee, and halls of Congress to promote Statehood and advocate for the award of the Congressional Gold Medal for the Borinqueneers. I stated many times then and now: “Mr. Chairman, make no mistake, we are not begging for a 51st star on the US Flag, we are not begging for equal representation under the law. We earned it. It belongs to us. It was purchased with the blood, life, limbs and irreplaceable youth of our soldiers.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly9aLafAEP4