Dick Thornburgh

As the highest ranking American official in the United Nations organization, I came to understand thoroughly that the national constitutional processes of…

— Dick Thornburgh

Now that the there is a path for the people of Puerto Rico to express their self-determination on Puerto Rico's political status,…

— Dick Thornburgh

The capacity of the commonwealth government created under the local constitution to exercise governmental powers in local affairs is like that of…

— Dick Thornburgh

The powers of government exercised locally derive from a federal law authorizing government by consent in local affairs only, unless those affairs…

— Dick Thornburgh

Internal self-government under a local constitution was authorized by Congress and approved by the residents in 1952, but federal law is supreme…

— Dick Thornburgh

The political status legislation which emerged in Congress in 1990 and 1991 did not receive the support needed for enactment into law…

— Dick Thornburgh

That is why, with optimism instead of fear, all those who want to see Puerto Rico's status resolved should seek the truth…

— Dick Thornburgh

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

After one hundred years of federal rule, the United States House of Representatives has moved to provide for the first meaningful route…

— Dick Thornburgh

Every effort must be made to increase forfeiture income.

— Dick Thornburgh

Instead of generating either unnecessary alarm or a false sense of security regarding these fundamental issues, the best course is to empower…

— Dick Thornburgh

Yet, Puerto Ricos economic convergence and political integration with the rest of the nation is in a state of arrest - even…

— Dick Thornburgh

Yet, individuals and corporations in Puerto Rico pay no federal income tax.

— Dick Thornburgh

However, the sovereignty of the states is constitutionally defined and recognized, while the powers of the local government in Puerto Rico are…

— Dick Thornburgh

If U.S. national sovereignty continues, it is only as a state that Puerto Rico will have permanent 10th Amendment powers over its…

— Dick Thornburgh

Federal program and services outlay in Puerto Rico is approximately $10 billion per year.

— Dick Thornburgh

Specifically, the reservation of sovereignty to the people of the states in matters not governed by federal law is constitutionally defined and…

— Dick Thornburgh

The need for a permanent status resolution approved by Congress is made even more clear to me because of my experience as…

— Dick Thornburgh

In historical and constitutional terms, the recent political status vote in Puerto Rico was a necessary but obviously not decisive step on…

— Dick Thornburgh

Apparently tired of waiting for clear direction from Congress, the people of Puerto Rico have used the tools provided by their own…

— Dick Thornburgh

If Congress does its job in this regard, the residents of Puerto Rico will be empowered to act in their own self-interest…

— Dick Thornburgh