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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 |
