Ohio state rep, daniel ramos says puerto rico should be a state

Ohio State Representative Daniel Ramos

Press Release

COLUMBUS— On Election Day, voters in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico voted by a 54% to 46% margin that they were no longer satisfied with their current status as a U.S. commonwealth.  In a separate question, 61% of Puerto Rican voters chose statehood as the best alternative for governance of the island.  This marks the first time in the Commonwealth’s history that voters have chosen statehood as a desired outcome in their relationship with the United States. Previous referendums were defeated in 1967, 1993, and 1998.

State Representative Dan Ramos (D-Lorain), Ohio’s only legislator of Puerto Rican descent, has introduced a House Concurrent Resolution to ask Congress to take action that respects the will of U.S. Citizens in Puerto Rico, and takes steps toward admitting the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the Union as a state.

“As laid out in the Declaration of Independence, our country recognizes that government derives its power from the consent of the governed,” said Rep. Ramos.  “The people of Puerto Rico voted to change that, and that should be respected.”

Puerto Rico has been governed by the United States of America since 1898. The territory’s people were extended American citizenship on March 2, 1917 as part of the Jones-Shafroth Act under President Woodrow Wilson.

“Following the results of the November election I believe it is necessary that Congress take swift action and recognize the will of the United States citizens living in Puerto Rico,” Rep. Ramos added. “For nearly a century, these citizens have served in the branches of our armed forces defending our freedom. Now, through their vote, they have asked for statehood, with all of the rights and responsibilities this brings. Using the guidance of our forefathers, it is the duty of Congress to respect the call of U.S. Citizens for Statehood, as they have done since the 18^th Century. This resolution asks Congress to do exactly that.”