Puerto Rican Justice(3)

RESOLUTION 3: Puerto Rican Justice

WHEREAS THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS (LULAC) supports the purpose of fostering and enlarging the opportunities for training, education, civil rights, job opportunities, housing, economic development, and welfare of all Hispanics in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, reaffirming that LULAC's Constitution stands for the proposition that "it is not only the privilege but the obligation of every member of the organization to uphold and defend the rights and duties vested in every American Citizen by the letter and spirit of the Law of the Land";

WHEREAS, reaffirming also that LULAC's Constitution states that the organization aims "to combat all un-American tendencies and actions that deprive American citizens of their rights in educational institutions, in economic pursuit and is social, civic and political activities";

WHEREAS, reiterating that LULAC's Code provides our organization's duty to preserve the citizenship of the United States, which Puerto Ricans have proudly held since 1917;

WHEREAS, In appreciation to Puerto Ricans as contributing members of our national policy;

WHEREAS, Aware that Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United states, but do not enjoy the full benefits of that condition;

WHEREAS, In the knowledge that Puerto Ricans have shed their blood to defend the nation of the Untied States, but cannot elect its President or Federal Legislators;

WHEREAS, Concerned that there are those who seek to demean the high value with which Puerto Ricans have traditionally regarded and protected the citizenship of the Untied States;

WHEREAS, the people of Puerto Rico should be afforded the opportunity to exercise their right for self-determination in order to foreclose a colonial condition of five-centuries;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 1998 National Assembly convened in Dallas, Texas on the 4th day of July, 1998:

1. To Continue to labor for the recognition of Latinos as equal citizens of the United States, and to promote awareness and of understanding among all Latino communities;
2. To advance in the unrelenting pursuit for the recognition of the rights of Puerto Ricans as full citizens of the United States and valued members of this great Nation under God.
3. To marshal the struggle for the equal rights and equal representation of Puerto Ricans as citizens of the United States.
4. To oppose any measure or interpretation that may diminish the rights of Puerto Ricans as citizens of the United States.
5. To condemn any law, statue or rule which would regard Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens in contravention to the rights and guarantees provided by the Constitution of the Untied States.

Approved this 4th day of July, 1998.

Rick Dovalina
LULAC National President