Urge Congress to defend English Model official English statute Donate Current Legislation State Profiles
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No Puerto Rican statehood without English H.R. 900 would require that Puerto Ricans hold a plebiscite on whether or not Puerto Rico should keep its status as a commonwealth of the U.S. If a majority does not vote in favor of remaining a commonwealth, then another plebiscite would be held with only two options: to become a state, or to become an independent country. ProEnglish opposes this bill for two reasons. First there is no provision in the bill that requires Puerto Rico to adopt English as the language of its government, which ProEnglish believes must be a pre-requisite for any territory or commonwealth to be admitted as a state. Second, the two stage plebiscite is a carefully contrived effort to get a majority of Puerto Ricans to vote in favor of statehood, something Puerto Ricans have repeated refused to do despite several attempts in the past. It is therefore undemocratic, manipulative, and an insult to the citizens of Puerto Rico. New Generation of Puerto Ricans lacks language skills 33% of Puerto Ricans between the ages of 18 and 65 are bilingual (i.e., they spoke Spanish, but reported knowing English "well" or "very well."). But among Puerto Ricans aged 5 to 18, however, less than 19% are bilingual. In both age groups, just over 14% spoke English only.[1] History of Puerto Rico, its status, and its official languageS 1900: The island was surrendered to the United States military authority. On April 2, the Foraker Law (Organic Act of 1900) is approved, establishing civil government and free commerce between the island and United States. The law was impulsed into Congress by senator Joseph B. Foraker. Puerto Rico became U.S. first unincorporated territory. The new government had an American governor, with 5 Puerto Rican Cabinet members. The first civil governor (Charles H. Allen) of the island under the Foraker Act was inaugurated on May 1, in San Juan. 1902: The Official Languages Act (under the Foraker Act) was instituted which declared that in all insular governmental departments, courts, and public offices, English was to be regarded as co-official with Spanish, and when necessary, translations and interpretations from one language to the other would be made so that all parties could understand the proceedings. 1917: On March 2, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones Act. With this law, Puerto Rico: became a territory of the United States ("organized but unincorporated,"); had its citizens granted citizenship by act of Congress (not by the Constitution and therefore not guaranteed by it); Established that elections were to be celebrated every four years; made English the official language. 1922: In the case of Balzac v. Porto Rico (258 U.S. 308) the U.S. Supreme Court declared that Puerto Rico was a territory rather than a part of the Union. The decision stated that the U.S. constitution did not apply in Puerto Rico. 1946: A bill was passed ordering "the exclusive use of the Spanish language for teaching in all public schools." 1950: Congress authorizes Puerto Ricans to draft their own constitution, establishing the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 1967: The first plebiscite on the
political status of Puerto Rico is held. Voters overwhelmingly affirm
continuation of Commonwealth status. 1991: Puerto Rico declares Spanish the only official language of the island. 1993: Puerto Rico declares English and Spanish as the official
languages of Puerto Rico. In a referendum, Commonwealth status is
reaffirmed by voters. 1998: Puerto Rico votes on whether to become a state, for the
third time. The party opposed to statehood, dissatisfied with the ballot's
wording, encourages its supporters to vote "None of the above,"
the option which receives the most votes: Click to go to the news archive for Puerto Rico statehood. Click here to read K.C. McAlpin's editorial on Puerto Rican statehood. [1]Source: Based on U.S. Census 2000, Summary File 4. [2]Source: welcome.topuertorico.com Click here for more information on why ProEnglish opposes H.R. 900. |
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