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Statehood for Puerto Rico
Letter to: PUERTO RICO HERALD
November 14, 1998
As a native Puerto Rican living on the mainland, I cannot understand
why the question of whether or not Puerto Rico becomes a state
is an issue. I have many family members living on the island and
it seems to me to be a "no brainer". The benefits of
becoming a state are too numerous to mention. The next vote should
be unanimously in favor of statehood.
The United States is far from perfect, however; I have traveled
to Europe, Africa, and South America during my life and there
is no other place in the world where I would rather live. If you
compare the living conditions in Puerto Rico to those found on
the neighboring islands, you will quickly get a sense for some
of what can be gained through an affirmative vote for statehood.
When Puerto Rico finally does become a state, living and working
conditions will improve and reach yet another level. Puerto Ricans
will enjoy a safer, freer, more prosperous place to live.
The ability to live a lifestyle like the one we enjoy in the
United States is something so valuable that people from all over
the world want to come live here. To do this, typically means
leaving their friends and family behind in the old country and
traveling to a strange land in search of the chance to make life
better for themselves and their children. A move to the U.S. gives
the average new citizen the opportunity to change their family's
outlook for the future from one of uncertainty and limited hope
to a more promising one of unparalleled stability and unlimited
hope. Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico have the rare opportunity
to have it both ways. By voting for statehood, Puerto Ricans will
be giving themselves the ability to be full participants in the
benefits of U.S. statehood without leaving home. This is one of
the rarest of opportunities that should not be denied, ignored,
or taken lightly.
Puerto Ricans should get out and vote for statehood, if not
for themselves, for their families and their future.
Andres Velasquez
Sellersburg, Indiana
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