Hoyer Remarks at Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks at the Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit in the U.S. Capitol. Below is a transcription of his remarks:

"Well, I, first of all, I apologize to the distinguished panel for interrupting you, but I want to let you know that I was instructed to be here at 1:30 [p.m.], so I followed instructions (laughter). And then, as you noticed, when Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen gave me instructions, I followed those as well. (laughter) So, I learned very well to follow the instructions of the two powerful women that I've been involved with, Ros-Lehtinen and your Governor, who was an extraordinary partner in passing the statehood bill, or better yet, the 'three-option' bill that was passed by the Congress. And I'm very pleased to be here, Gabriella, with you. I understand from Ileana that you put this together, you know, you're responsible for this and thank you very much. (applause) I had, as I said, the opportunity to work closely with your present Governor, and I worked with Pedro [Pierluisi] over the years on behalf of statehood, and I'm still very strongly committed that Puerto Rico will be a full partner in the United States of America. (applause)

"The House of Representatives, as you know, voted by a vote of 233-191, to pass a bill that not only gave options, but said that it will be the Puerto Rican people who will choose which option to follow, and if they so choose, it will become reality. That was the critical part of the bill we passed, to self-determine. (applause) We have some work to do with the United States Senate, and very frankly, Governor, you have some work to do on your side of the aisle. But it seems to me a fundamental value of the United States of America that, A, we are not a colonial power, and B, that we believe in self-determination. And so that when and if the Puerto Ricans make a decision, that we will implement that decision. Now, very frankly, my view has been [and] is still that the status of Puerto Rico - but the status of something other than statehood [and] present status is the choice of Puerto Rico and the United States. In my opinion, again, Puerto Rico ought to have the chance and right to make its own decision as to whether it wants to be a state. But other relationships are twofold relationship. I want to also thank - I don't know whether Don Bacon has already been here, he's scheduled to be here. He is a man of courage and conviction, and you will enjoy hearing him. He's a Republican, but he is my dear friend. And I - there should be no 'but.' Jenniffer [González-Colón] is my friend. We are different parties, but we are one mind on the status of Puerto Rico. (applause)

"Now, I have an interesting relationship with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. This is not going to be a racy relationship that you're going to hear about. First of all, I spent five years in Florida just south of Miami. My stepfather was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base. He was transferred to Andrews Air Force Base, which is just a few miles down the road, which is why I'm a congressman from Maryland and not a congressman from Florida. Although I'm not sure the Floridians would have chosen me but if they had, I'd be from Florida. And I went to Coconut Grove Elementary School, Ponce de Leon Junior High, and Coral Gables High School before I came here. And as a result, Ileana and I had a real connection throughout our careers here together. And so, the first trip I took as Majority Leader, I took to Africa - I took to Sudan and we went to Juba, which was the capital of South Sudan. And during the course of that, we had a meeting with the leader of South Sudan, who was appointed by the dictator of the country and he didn't speak English, and he didn't speak Spanish, as far as I know. But we went around the room and introduced ourselves. I was the head of the delegation, and when it got to the, she said - in perfect English, of course. She said, 'I was invited on this trip, and I was glad to come, but I thought that Steny, when he was asking me, I thought he said, 'Cuba,' not Juba. (laughter) To which we all laughed, and then the president and South Sudan look blank because he, of course, had no understanding. But Ileana and I had that kind of relationship where we could kid [with] one another. And as you know, Ileana was the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. (Former Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen says, 'And we'll be going to a free Cuba soon.') (applause) In my church, that clap was, 'Amen,' because I know that's all what you meant by that clap.

"Well, the Puerto Rican community has an important place in the American family and has had that for over a century. You know, they contributed, helped uphold on national security. Your men and women have died in wars of defense against tyrants around the world. You've enriched our culture and the world during that Super Bowl halftime show. Wasn't that fantastic. I've long wanted to see Puerto Rico, as I told you before, formally join our union. What matters is what Puerto Ricans want. Only you can decide your island's political future, but you need to appeal to every one of the Members of Congress of the United States, to their conviction about self-determination and their opposition to colonialism. The legislation of which we speak, the legislation we support, the status we support, is consistent with and pursuant to American values, Constitutional values, [the] Declaration of Independence values. Thank you for being here. Thank you for advocating for your people. [inaudible due to applause] Thank you and Godspeed.