portance, not only to Puerto Rico, but certainly to p Guam. As a matter of historical record, I would point Guam along with Puerto Rico and the Philippines and C subsumed into the American empire as a result of the American War.

I want to unequivocally state the assertion of the people to their inherent right to self-determination. Congress sh port this right on Guam, as it should in Puerto Rico and territories, where people seek to fulfill their political desti

Moreover, Congress would be wise to facilitate the e these rights. Once the people have decided on their own I certainly would hope that Congress would support the people of the territories.

The people of Guam have voted to establish a new wealth that is somewhat patterned on the Puerto Rico ex but we think it goes further beyond. I have introduced 1 to enact the desire of the people of Guam in H.R. 1521.

All too often the discussions of political status revolve a dynamics of big versus small, strong versus weak, east ver and us versus them. I hope the dialogue and discussion t contribute to a new understanding in Congress of the desi people of the territories and the importance of affirming s human political rights, instead of discussing political ad

The United States, as a signatory of the United Nations and the Congress in ratifying that treaty, affirmed the rig determination for all non-self-governing territories. I, as voting delegate coming from the unincorporated territory do affirm that right.

An unincorporated territory means that you are owne United States, but you are not a part of the United States. At the end of World War II, the process of self-deter worked well for some American territories, but unfortun for others, as the Cold War intervened in that progress. War is over. It is no longer a question of balancing natio ests with the interests of the people of the territories.

The new reality is that it is in the national interest to self-determination for the territories. It is in the nationa to recognize a right so fundamentally basic to the concept ican democracy that it is even inscribed in the walls of Capitol.

As William Henry Harrison, himself a former territorial admonishes us, "The only legitimate right to govern is an grant of power from the consent of the governed." For 1 gress and for this Nation, the recognition of the right to s mination for the American flag territories is not an issue bated. It is a responsibility to be acted upon.

Chairman de Lugo announced that a separate hearin held August 3 to address the concerns of the Guam Comm Self-Determination and the U.S. Virgin Islands Commi Self-Determination on this resolution. I would, therefore those attending today's hearing to remember that this r impacts very diverse territories.

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We differ in size, in geography, in political development and political aspirations. We share in common only what we lack in common, a final realization of our political destinies.

I commend the people of Puerto Rico in their pursuit of improving their political relationship with the United States. I look forward to the day when all territories will have achieved their destinies.

I commend Congressman Serrano for bringing this issue to the Floor and for allowing this discussion to occur. I commend the Chair and my colleagues on the Committee, notably Carlos Romero-Barcelo for hosting and participating in this discussion and for allowing us to confront these difficult issues.

Mr. DE LUGO. I thank the gentleman from Guam for that statement.

[Prepared statement of Mr. Underwood follows:]

STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you for holding this hearing on H. Con. Res. 94, expressing the sense of Congress regarding the expression of self-determination by the people of Puerto Rico.

It is significant to note that while this resolution is primarily focused on Puerto Rico and their upcoming status plebescite, the expression of support of the right of self-determination of all non-self governing territories is of paramount importance to Guam.

I want to unequivocally state the assertion of the People of Guam to their inherent right to self determination. Congress should support this right on Guam, in Puerto Rico, and in other territories where the people seek to fulfill their political destinies. Moreover, Congress would be wise to facilitate the exercise of these rights. Once the people have decided on their own futures, I would hope that this Congress would support the will of the people of the territories. The people of Guam have voted to establish a new commonwealth, and I have introduced legislation to enact their desires in H.R. 1521.

All too often the discussions on political status revolve around the dynamics of big versus small, strong versus weak, east versus west, and us versus them. I hope that the dialogue today will contribute to a new understanding in Congress of the desires of the people of the territories, and the importance of affirming basic human rights values instead of political advantage.

The United States, as a signatory of the United Nations charter, and the Congress, in ratifying this treaty, affirmed the right of self-determination for all nonself-governing territories. At the end of World War II, the process of self-determination worked well for some American territories, but unfortunately, for others, the Cold War intervened in their progress.

The Cold War is over. It is no longer a question of balancing national interests with the interest of the people of the territories. The new reality is that is in the national interest to recognize self-determination for the territories. It is in the national interest to recognize a right so fundamentally basic to the American concept of democracy, that it is even inscribed on the walls of the U.S. Capitol. As William Henry Harrison, himself a former Territorial delegate, admonishes us, "the only legitimate right to govern is an express grant of power from the consent of the governed."

For this Congress, and for this great nation, the recognition of the right of selfdetermination for the American flag territories is not an issue to be debated; it is a responsibility to be acted upon.

Chairman de Lugo announced that a separate hearing will be held on August 3rd to address the concerns of the Guam Commission on Self-Determination and the U.S. Virgin Islands Commission on Self-Determination on this resolution. I therefore would caution those attending today's hearing to remember that this resolution impacts very diverse territories; we differ in size, geography, political development and political aspirations. We share in common only what we lack in common-a final realization of our political destinies.

I commend the people of Puerto Rico in their pursuit of improving their political relationship with the United States and I look forward to the day when all territories will have achieved their destinies.

Mr. DE LUGO. Let me invite the first witness, the sp resolution, the distinguished gentleman from New Yor at the witness table.

Before we begin to take testimony, let the Chair hearing plans.

First, there will be an additional hearing on this me ferred to by the gentlemen from Guam. One reason though the purpose of the Serrano Resolution is to ex regarding Puerto Rican self-determination, it would als Congress' commitment toward self-determination in ge declaring that the interests of the inhabitants are the sideration in nonself-governing territories.

Since these statements go well beyond Puerto Ric other areas, such as the Virgin Islands, which I rep Guam, there is a hearing on August 3, regarding their to the other insular areas.

For a similar reason, the Foreign Affairs Committ some jurisdiction regarding this measure. Of the 18 ar considered by the United Nations to be nonself-gover under foreign control. The four areas for which the U is responsible are American Samoa, Guam, Palav, and States Virgin Islands.

Incidentally, speaking about the Virgin Islands, I wa nize a constituent of mine who is here this morning. I him on the plane and he was due to go back to the ter but I was able to persuade him to stay on. He is a you ran for the Senate in the last election and came withi of being elected. His name is Ally Petris.

Ally, would you stand up?

We are glad to have you here today.

He is definitely a future leader of the Virgin Islands. We will also need to meet again to hear the position ton administration. This could be August 3, or anothe sibly sooner, depending on the confirmation of the p ness, Walter Dellinger as Assistant Attorney General.

The President's Office is responsible for issues relate Rico's status, but it traditionally assigns an official of t tration to represent it before us.

The White House Chief of Staff, Mr. McLarty, initi that the administration would be represented today th ness designated by Secretary Babbitt of the Interior But they later decided to send a representative of the partment, after representatives of Puerto Rico expres about the assignment to Interior.

The concern was related to Puerto Rico's issues transferred from Interior to the President's Office in delay in the administration's position should not delay eration of the Serrano resolution since we are already a fact that an additional hearing is scheduled.

I want to express our appreciation to Mr. McLarty another very effective and good friend in the White Ho lian Fernandez, who is with us here today, for respondi mate Puerto Rican concerns. I hope the reassignment

indicate the focus of these issues that I mentioned earlier was needed.

Before we begin with our first witness, we have a lot of people standing back here and we have some empty chairs here. Let me invite those who are standing to come forward and take the seats on the lower tier. If you will do that quietly, make yourself comfortable as guests of this Committee.

Our first witness will be Congressman Serrano. He will be followed by three other distinguished Members of Congress. Next we will have representatives of the Governor and three major political parties in Puerto Rico, all of which advocate a different status option.

After they have been questioned by the members of the Committee, we will have a half hour break for lunch. It will only be a half hour because we have so many witnesses. When we return, we will hear from other witnesses.

Because we want all testifying to receive a fair hearing, all witnesses should summarize their statements to the amount of time that the staff has asked them. You will see some lights on the witness table. The green light should go on when they begin and they should end their statement within one minute after the red light goes on. A bell will indicate the end of this minute. This will begin after Members of Congress have spoken, of course.

Let me welcome our first witness, as I said, he is the proponent of the resolution, a very good friend, and someone I admire. He is the outstanding Puerto Rican representative, and a respected Member of the House. He has also served on the very exclusive and powerful Appropriations Committee.

He is our leader as Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus. As I said, he has done a real national service in sponsoring this resolution and raising the issue with our great President.

Let me welcome my friend and the Committee's friend, Jose
Serrano from New York and Puerto Rico.

STATEMENT OF HON. JOSÉ SERRANO, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Mr. SERRANO. Thank you for that clarification about the two places I belong to.

Secondly, I want to thank all the brothers and sisters from Puerto Rico for joining us today here on All-Star Game Day, where tonight Ivan Rodriguez, Roberto Alomar, and Juan Gonzales will definitely win the game for the American League, and that is a prediction that I make and the only one I will make today.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for holding this hearing and for providing the opportunity for debate and discussion of a resolution vital to our Nation's integrity. My resolution is short. Its purpose is clear. Simply, our Nation has a historical commitment to the right of a people to self-determination.

With this resolution, Congress reaffirms that right with respect to the people of Puerto Rico. It is that simple.

May I immediately ask our friends in the media, to please try to consider the fact that it seems that every interview hear, even those placed before me, always go back to discussing the November 14 plebiscite.

This resolution speaks to self-determination and ou in Congress. Whether there is a plebiscite or not, it is people have and a statement this Congress has to make

It is important to note that this resolution does "not or expressly, prefer any option which may or may not b the people of Puerto Rico during a referendum. It ne lishes nor prefers a process by which this expression o mination will be realized. To the many observers who hidden meanings and intimations and nuances, none wa It was interesting to note, Mr. Chairman, that in th Puerto Rico in one given day, I had Statehooders sayi mention of the U.N. meant that the resolution favore ence. I had members of the Socialist Party suggesting t of statement of a Puerto Rican nationality meant that hoots with the Statehooders, and I had the Populists the resolution didn't mean anything and was not goin in the first place.

The apparent concern of some that I have drafted thi to prejudice the chances of one status or another, is a is natural for people living in a colony.

Let me make my last aside, Mr. Chairman, by sort of apology to members of the Popular Democratic Party taking it back when I used the word "colony." I do that cial feeling today because the gentleman who speaks that option today is a man who shares a name wit Enrique.

Just to alert the Committee to the fact that the reas name is José Enrique, is because his father was a d home town who did not charge the poor. My mother v to pay him. As a tribute to him, I was José Enrique, would have it that we share the same podium today, both my father and his father.

I call Puerto Rico a colony because as a Member that is how I see it. I never really realized, in my opi was a colony until I came to Congress and realized tha that happens on the island has to be approved by th and that this Congress can do what it wishes, whenev and how it wishes.

So the word is not meant to hurt anybody. The wor in my opinion, a fact and a reality today.

I introduced this resolution with a deep sense of regr hypocrisy with which our government treats Puerto Ric I speak to you as a Puerto Rican, as a United States as a congressman, roles which are, in this context, in a Puerto Rican, I am resentful that the Congress of States-the greatest, most free nation on earth-will r my right to decide my political future.

As a United States citizen, I can not understand th which my government makes between my rights as a those of the citizens on the island on which I was born.

As a Congressman, I am ashamed of the hypocrisy of the government of which I am a part, a policy whi the rights of people around the world to a full and fre of their political aspirations but denies it to the peop