Resolution
 

Puerto Rico Self Determination

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens is the nation’s oldest and largest Latino membership organization since its inception has fostered higher education and the advancement of all Hispanics at all levels and facets of our American society; and

WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico; was finally granted statehood in January of 1912, after sixty four (64) years of struggle for self determination. This was attributed to the fact that the United States Congress refused to accept or allow New Mexico statehood because of the majority of her residents and elected officials were Hispanics; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico was a Spanish speaking territory that at one time encompassed all of Arizona, part of southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado and far-west Texas, in which many of the citizens were granted citizenship under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; and

WHEREAS, upon ratification of statehood in 1912, the constitution of New Mexico granted equal protection of both language, land, heritage, customs, tradition and culture. These constitutional guarantees proved that the Spanish language would be treated with perfect quality and today New Mexico is the only state in the union that is a constitutionally mandated bi-lingual state; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Puerto Rico have a similar situation in their quest for self determination and because of our culture and language, Puerto Rico and New Mexico share a common bond and an almost identical circumstances; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Puerto Rico have a similar situation in their quest for self determination and because of our culture and language, Puerto Rico and New Mexico share a common bond and an almost identical circumstances; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the League support the citizens of Puerto Rico in their quest for self determination and granted statehood if this is the will and desire of the majority of her populace, and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that if the citizens of Puerto Rico so desire statehood, that all of their constitutional guarantees be protected and that their language and culture be respected like that in the state of New Mexico. Moreover, that the current Puerto Rican Constitution be protected with regards to land, customs, history, heritage, language and cultural practices.

Approved this 14th day of July 2007.

Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President


LULAC  l  2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610  l  Washington, DC 20036  l  (202) 833-6130  Fax: (202) 833-6135