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Esta página no está disponible en español. The Salt Lake TribuneHansen Now Latinos' New Best Friendby PAUL ROLLY AND JOANN JACOBSEN-WELLSMay 8, 2002 A year after Congressman Jim Hansen described Puerto Ricans on a national radio program as welfare kings and queens who don't pay taxes and "have it pretty good," he wants to make up. Hansen's derogatory comments were in response to President Bush's plans to halt bombing exercises on Vieques Island off Puerto Rico . Not surprisingly, Latinos were not amused. One New York columnist statistically proved that Utahns accept more government handouts, per capita, than do Puerto Ricans . That was last year. Hansen filed a resolution in the House last week commemorating the 1952 signing of the federal law that approved the constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico . "It is important to celebrate the 50th anniversary . . . because this Constitution has served well the people of Puerto Rico and the United States," the island's new best friend said in a prepared statement.
Government Press Releases by Federal Document Clearing HouseHansen Files Resolution Commemorating The 50th Anniversary Of The Commonwealth Of Puerto RicoNon-binding Resolution Celebrates Puerto Rico's ConstitutionBy JAMES V. HANSEN May 3, 2002 Washington, D. C. - Chairman James V. Hansen today filed a concurrent resolution commemorating the 1952 signing of the U.S. federal law which approves the constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. This year marks fifty years the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico have governed themselves in the administration of its internal civil affairs under a locally adopted constitution. The sustained success of this local constitutional self-government is reason for the Commonwealth to be proud. The Treaty of Peace, at the conclusion of the Spanish American War, established the union of Puerto Rico and the United States, but did not grant U.S. citizenship for the citizens of Puerto Rico. In 1917, Congress extended U.S. citizenship by statute and granted further local self-government. In 1951, Congress, in pursuant to its Constitutional responsibilities, defined procedures for the adoption of a local constitution. The procedures were approved by the voters of Puerto Rico in an island wide referendum . In 1952, a Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico convened and approved the proposed constitution of the Commonwealth. It was also approved in another island wide referendum . The proposed constitution was then approved by Congress, but that approval was conditional subject to amendments required by Congress that were accepted by the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico later in the same year. Rep. Anibal Acevedo-Vila 's statement: "It is important to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico because this Constitution has served well the people of Puerto Rico and the United States". Chairman Hansen's statement: "I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with Mr. Acevedo-Vila and Mr. Rahall in recognizing this important milestone. The United States citizens of Puerto Rico should be proud of their contributions to the political, economic and social advancement of our country. They have proudly fulfilled their duties to this great nation, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom. They reflect the spirit of America and the proud heritage of our Country. This is a significant anniversary in our nation's history."
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