In a letter to congress concerning the well being and citizenship of the commonwealth Puerto Rico.
A letter to Congress:
I have found that the United States position in our commonwealth of Puerto Rico is not meeting expectations that I wish for our great nation to follow. Beginning in 1899, when the Treaty of Paris, which transferred control of Puerto Rico into the hands of Americans, was signed, it did nothing but confuse Americans and Puerto Ricans upon the topic of American sovereignty. This confusion and treaty passed all ideas to the Congress which eventually lead to the Foraker Act in 1900. This is the only act which ensures Puerto Rican identity as Puerto Rican American nationals; however, they were and are not to be named American Citizens. I understand and acknowledge the time put into developing the Foraker Act, but the under this Act, the Puerto Ricans have less control and identity then they had under Spanish Control. There has been an ongoing debate as to where Puerto Rico stands and this conflict is thus causing many concerns in both Puerto Rico and here in the United States.
It was not until 1945 that the Puerto Ricans gained full citizenship, however; congress and the nation still restricted Puerto Rican rights. The average American citizen is able, under the rights of the constitution, to vote in matters concerning the wellbeing of the United States and all states within. This right should be extended not only to states, but to all American citizens, including those who live within American territories. The Foraker Act did nothing for Puerto Ricans except for naming them citizens; their influence and participation in American events such as elections still remained limited. How is the concept of American freedom showing through the oppression of the Puerto Rican citizenship rights.For forty five years, Puerto Rico’s economy has significantly grown in ways of material, yet I still strongly believe that taking the American economical supports from the Puerto Rico would call economic collapse. The small nation cannot be referred to as “economically self-reliant [since] there has been a tendency to become more dependent upon outside markets” such as the United States. Withdrawing assistance would mean or devastating disasters in both the US and the commonwealth and tear apart the mutalistic economies since both benefit off the other’s profit.
The United States as a whole, as well as backing all Puerto Rico’s economic decisions, has provided the citizens of Puerto Rico a new American lifestyle and increasing literacy, public health and enlarging the English speaking population. We have given medical hospitals to the commonwealth and future goals aspire ideals including those of nutritional value. The lives of the some odd two million people in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico have greatly improved under American aid and encouragement.The United States of America has a duty to encourage equality for all peoples and as long as Puerto Rico is American soil; those living in the nation should all have equal rights and benefits. What difference does an American citizen living in Puerto Rico have compared to one living in New York? American soil is American soil; nothing can change that. We need to “recognize our citizens—whether continental or overseas—to the greatest possible degree” which means that all peoples should be able partake in nation elections and decisions. If anything I believe that we need to “consider as soon as possible an amendment of the organic law of Puerto Rico to permit the people… to elect their own Governor… respectively”.
Puerto Rico, after long rule under the United States’ hands should finally be allowed to take its first baby steps and hold its own federal government. That is not to recommend that idea of pulling out and giving Puerto Rico soil away, it is just the concept of loosening the parental grip and let the nation begin to find its own way. We, as the United States, need to assist once again in the early stages of forming this government and will guide along the way… we just need to look at and give Puerto Rico that same independence that we give all the other fifty states. “The government of Puerto Rico should not be static; it should be changed and developed as conditions warrant. It is…important that the economic situation of the Puerto Ricans should be improved [and] I am confident that these objectives can be obtained.”Puerto Rico is not an independent nation; however, it is a part of America and it is freedom that makes American soil so great.
President Roosevelt
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