In historical and constitutional terms, the recent political status vote in Puerto Rico was a necessary but obviously not decisive step on the road of self-determination leading to full self-government. — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share Image
As the highest ranking American official in the United Nations organization, I came to understand thoroughly that the national constitutional processes of the member… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
Now that the there is a path for the people of Puerto Rico to express their self-determination on Puerto Rico's political status, there are… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
The capacity of the commonwealth government created under the local constitution to exercise governmental powers in local affairs is like that of local government… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
The powers of government exercised locally derive from a federal law authorizing government by consent in local affairs only, unless those affairs are otherwise… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
Internal self-government under a local constitution was authorized by Congress and approved by the residents in 1952, but federal law is supreme in Puerto… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
The political status legislation which emerged in Congress in 1990 and 1991 did not receive the support needed for enactment into law during my… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
That is why, with optimism instead of fear, all those who want to see Puerto Rico's status resolved should seek the truth about each… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
It is quite understandable that Puerto Ricans seek to preserve a cultural sense of identity without separating politically from U.S. national sovereignty. — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
After one hundred years of federal rule, the United States House of Representatives has moved to provide for the first meaningful route to self-determination… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
Instead of generating either unnecessary alarm or a false sense of security regarding these fundamental issues, the best course is to empower people with… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
Yet, Puerto Ricos economic convergence and political integration with the rest of the nation is in a state of arrest - even though the… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
Yet, individuals and corporations in Puerto Rico pay no federal income tax. — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
However, the sovereignty of the states is constitutionally defined and recognized, while the powers of the local government in Puerto Rico are defined by,… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
If U.S. national sovereignty continues, it is only as a state that Puerto Rico will have permanent 10th Amendment powers over its non-federal affairs,… — Dick Thornburgh Copy Share
