(Washington, DC, March 22, 2007) — Advocating a “bottom-up approach” to resolving the longstanding political status question of Puerto Rico, Insular Subcommittee Chairwoman Donna M. Christensen held a hearing on Tuesday which entertained testimony on two bills which propose different ways for the people to exercise their right to self-determination. H.R. 900 which is sponsored by Representative Jose Serrano and Subcommittee Ranking Member and Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuno, would authorize two plebiscites to be held in Puerto Rico, in which voters would choose between the status quo or a change in Puerto Rico’s political status.  The second bill, H.R. 1230, sponsored by Reps. Nydia Velasquez and Luis Gutierrez, proposes the establishment of a constitutional convention and a referendum on Puerto Rico to determine the islands’ status. 

“I support the right of the people of Puerto Rico to be fully informed, to have a fair process, and to have all of the possible status options clearly and accurately defined and placed before them,” said Chairwoman Donna Christensen who along with Members of the Subcommittee, the wider Natural Resources Committee and those who sponsored the two bills questioned three panels of witnesses which included constitutional lawyers, businessmen, lawyers, teachers, veterans and others who indicated their preferences for either bill or portions of them. Many of them praised Chairwoman Christensen for her leadership in placing the issue on the Subcommittee’s agenda and encouraging the discussion and debate on the bills.

 “It was a long hearing, but the People of Puerto Rico have been waiting 109 years to decide their status. The issues are also complex, and so in order to have a fair process and one that enables them to have any informed and fully free vote, it is worth the time,” said Chairwoman Christensen. She reminded the public that testimony will be accepted up to 10 working days after the subcommittee hearing. Persons wanting to submit testimony for the record are asked to do so by writing the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs at 1337 Longworth, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 or it can be faxed to 202-225-0521.