Veterans Rights in Puerto Rico

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens is this nation’s oldest and largest Latino organization, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 17, 1929; and

WHEREAS, LULAC throughout its history has committed itself to the principles that Latinos have equal access to opportunities in employment, education, housing and healthcare; and

WHEREAS, Puerto Rico has been part of the United States of America for 100 years; and

WHEREAS, the Puerto Rican people have been citizens of the United States of America from 1917 to present; and

WHEREAS, the Puerto Ricans have served in the United States of America Armed Forces with pride, courage and honor; and

WHEREAS, those veterans cannot receive all the benefits that they have in the continental United States, when they decide to has their resident in Puerto Rico; and

WHEREAS, the immense majority of the people of Puerto Rico honors and values their citizenship; and

WHEREAS, Puerto Rican People cannot vote for the president, the vice-president of the United States of America and their corresponding voting members of congress; and

WHEREAS, these elected officials are the ones, that decide the policies, laws and decisions that affect all American citizens including Puerto Ricans; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, LULAC reaffirms of their fellow United States citizens who reside in Puerto Rico to have their legitimate right as United States citizens to be able to vote for the president and vice president of the United States of America, as well as for their corresponding voting members of congress.

Approved this 1st day of July 2011.

Margaret Moran
LULAC National President