Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association : : HR 2499 The Puerto Rico Democracy Act

THE PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (PRSSA) Inc. IS A NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION REGISTERED WITH THE PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF STATE

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After over 100 years of political uncertainty, Congressman Pierluisi of Puerto Rico has introduced HR 2499, The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009, to effectively resolve the status uncertainty of Puerto Rico. HR 2499 effectively gives the people of PR the right to vote on two plebiscites that will decide the island’s future association with the United States.

First Plebiscite:
      - The people of Puerto Rico will be asked if they wish to change their present status situation.
      - The question will read: “Should Puerto Rico maintain its present political status? YES or NO.
      - If the majority of the votes opt for a change with the “NO” option winning, a second plebiscite will be
        hosted.

Second Plebiscite:
      - The people of Puerto Rico will be asked to choose between three options that would effectively
        resolve the status question:
             o Independence:
                  · Would in effect break all legal ties between the United States in the creation of Puerto Rico as
                     a country on its own right.
             o Associated Sovereignty:
                  · Provides for a distancing of Puerto Rico from the United States.
                  · Puerto Rico would be free of several federal regulations and from the Territorial Clause of the
                    US Constitution.
                  · Its significance is unclear, but it may go as far as the elimination of the US citizenship for the
                    people of Puerto Rico.
             o Statehood:
                  · Would permanently attach Puerto Rico as the 51^st state of the United States.
                  · Awards Puerto Rico with the right to 6 US congressmen, 2 senators, and 8 presidential
                    electoral votes.

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Hello, I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and I am writing to plead to your congressman to support The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009, HR 2499, being presented by Cong. Pierluisi from Puerto Rico.

Puerto Ricans have been proud American citizens since 1917, participating in every level of American life and achievement. However, unlike our fellow American citizens, we do not have the same political rights or defined status. This includes over 150,000 veterans that have proudly served, that were once part of the many service men and women that make Puerto Rico the second biggest contributor to our armed forces.

This is why I, and 10,000 other members of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association, write to appeal your Congressman to support HR 2499 which would give the right for Puerto Ricans to vote on a referendum that will determine the island's political future.

Please email John Laufer ([email protected]) from Congressman Pierluisi's office, and show your support. For more information on the bill, visit www.hr2499.com. Thank you.