About PR51st
The Puerto Rico Statehood Council (PRSC) created PR51st to advance the goal of achieving equality for the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico through statehood. PR51st serves to inform, engage and activate support for Puerto Rico statehood in ways that are compelling, interactive, fact-based and easy to share. On this website, and all other PR51st platforms, we talk about what’s happening in the statehood movement today, and how you can get involved to support equality through statehood for Puerto Rico. We do not seek to impose statehood on Puerto Rico, but instead to amplify the voices of voters on the island who have repeatedly chosen statehood so they can enjoy the same democracy, rights, and responsibilities as their fellow U.S. citizens in the states.
About the Puerto Rico Statehood Council
The Puerto Rico Statehood Council (PRSC) is working to build a national movement in support of equal rights for the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico through statehood. We are a Washington, D.C. based, non-partisan, 501(c)4 non-profit issue advocacy organization. We believe that the core American values of freedom, democracy, liberty, justice and consent of the governed must apply equally to all U.S. citizens including those in Puerto Rico. We do not endorse or campaign either in favor or against any political party or political candidate. Our supporters cover the entire political spectrum and we seek to create an inclusive space where anyone who supports statehood for Puerto Rico can participate and join our efforts.
Leadership
George Laws García, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council
With 15 years of experience in public policy and intergovernmental affairs, he has worked for and advised Governors, Members of Congress, federal agencies and national non-profit organizations on a broad range of issues including ending territory status and making Puerto Rico the 51st state of the Union.
Most recently Mr. Laws García served as the Interim Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), the Washington D.C. office of the Governor of Puerto Rico. In that role he oversaw the agency and led its federal policy and advocacy efforts before the Executive and Legislative branches of the U.S. government. He was the main person responsible for the launch and operations of the Puerto Rico Equality Commission, the territory’s shadow delegation to the U.S. Congress. Follow him on Twitter: @LawsPR51
Martin Rivera, Director of Advocacy for the Puerto Rico Statehood Council
Martin Rivera serves as Director of Advocacy for the Puerto Rico Statehood Council. Previously, Martin served as Senior Policy Counsel for the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) where he oversaw policy initiatives to close the digital divide and provide broadband resources to under-served communities.
Martin’s experience in public service includes having been the Director of Government Affairs of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) where he led the federal and local legislative priorities before policymakers, industry representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders. He also served as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Darren Soto in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, where he oversaw a variety of issues including immigration, health care, and the environment.
Throughout his career Martin has strived to advance policies that would protect fundamental rights and provide essential services to communities in need. From helping disaster victims to working to close the digital divide. Martin is dedicated to ensuring that the historically marginalized communities have the resources and opportunities they deserve to develop to their full potential. Martin is a member of the Florida Bar. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Florida Coastal School of Law, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. Martin is originally from Juncos, Puerto Rico.