Orlando Political Observer (OPO)

Politics, Government, Campaigns and Elections

Video: Stephanie Murphy on Puerto Rican Statehood “They can count on my full support”

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Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, where she voiced full support for Puerto Rican statehood, after a vote on the island overwhelmingly passed in favor of a switch from it’s current commonwealth status.

“They can count on my full support.” said Murphy during her remarks “As I see it, in the wake of this vote, the question is not whether but rather when Puerto Rico will become a state.”

Central Florida, including Murphy’s 7th district, has one of the nation’s fastest growing Puerto Rican populations, with many former residents of the island relocating to the Orlando area for a new start in the region’s rapidly expanding entry level job market.

Despite heavy lobbying efforts by Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rosello and Commissioner Jennifer Gonzalez, the path to statehood for the island seems unlikely in Washington’s current political climate. Issues like Health Care, Tax Reform, and Foreign Policy have put the issue on the back burner with leadership in the House or the Senate unlikely to take it up anytime soon.

“Puerto Rico has made countless contributions to this nation for generations. It has earned it’s own star on the American flag.” said Murphy in conclusion.

You can watch her full remarks below..

Stephanie Murphy

Peter Vivaldi: President Trump Should Push Puerto Rican Statehood

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The following is an OPO contribution and open letter from Peter Vivaldi. If you have a contribution you would like considered for publication email doug@orlando-politics.com

President Trump Should Push Puerto Rican Statehood

I am urging the President to come to Central Florida and hear from Puerto Rican leaders supporting statehood.

By Peter Vivaldi

Dear President Trump,

Over this past weekend, I watched as you visited the Little Havana community in South Florida alongside Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

The purpose of your visit was to place sanctions on the Cuban government, which for decades has committed multiple injustices to the Cuban people, under the Castro communist regime.

I listened to Senator Rubio mention that he had dinner with you, the First Lady, and his wife to discuss the future of the Cuban people.

I was glad to see that you understood the plight of the Cuban Americans and that you are willing to help improve the situation for the Cuban people.

The main reason for this open invite is to discuss the plight of 3.5 million American citizens that have been subject to an unjust Colony status for over a century. They have fought in our greatest wars and lost their loved ones, we are all Americans.

Personally, I would like to treat you to a cup of Puerto Rican coffee and discuss the issues facing the Puerto Rican people.

It is extremely difficult to believe that in 2017, a nation like ours is still willing to oppress American Citizens in Puerto Rico with the Colony status.

On June 11, 2017 over half a million Puerto Rican’s on the Island voted. 97% of the voters overwhelmingly voted to become the 51st State.

They want to experience the freedoms and liberty afforded to every other American. We want to break free from the corruption of the Puerto Rican Cartel, a group of radical socialist leaders who don’t want us to be equal.

I am hoping that over a cup of coffee we can discuss how you can help not only the 3.5 million Americans on the Island but also the over 5 million who live in our great nation. (1.2 million live in Florida)

I am one voice of a silent majority that believes Congress must act on behalf of Puerto Rican American patriots. After 100 years of ambiguity, we want to become full fledged stakeholders in the American Dream.

I ask you to consider my request as millions of Puerto Rican’s, on and off the Island, await your support as the President of the Colony of Puerto Rico USA. Your task to Make America Great Again is no different than our wish to become the 51st state.

We are ready and willing to help you in accomplishing your goals and are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to restore the American Dream for all American Citizens.

Respectfully,

Peter Vivaldi, Jr.

Peter Vivaldi is a Republican Businessman and Community Leader who lives in Orlando

Peter Vivaldi

Darren Soto will “strongly support” Puerto Rican Statehood plebiscite results

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Congressman Darren Soto announced on Tuesday, that he will “strongly support” the results of a plebiscite to determine the support for Puerto Rican Statehood scheduled to take place this Sunday.

“The decision on Puerto Rico’s ultimate political status has to come from the people, and it’s not my place to try to tell them how to vote. Yet as a Member of the U.S. Congress from Florida, representing a district with a large Puerto Rican population, and being of Puerto Rican heritage myself, I take great interest in the issue. I encourage my fellow citizens from Puerto Rico to participate in the plebiscite and I will strongly support its outcome.”

Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rossello and their non-voting member of Congress, Jenniffer Gonzalez have made trips to Washington to lobby and voice their support for statehood. The issue of the status of the island has been a controversial debate among it’s citizens for decades, with different groups each pushing for statehood, independence, or it’s current standing as a commonwealth.

The island recently filed for an action similar to bankruptcy for it’s $70 billion dollars in debt that will have to be restructured. Any push for statehood in Congress faces an uphill climb with the current administration.

Because of high unemployment, many Puerto Rican have migrated from the island to here in Central Florida to start over in the area’s strong entry level job market.

Soto has previously said he will reserve any positions on the island’s status until a vote is taken.

“Ultimately, I believe that it is in the best interest of my constituents, our fellow citizens in the territory, and America as a whole, that Congress work to ensure a strong and vibrant Puerto Rico. Congress must resolve Puerto Rico’s political status to unleash its full economic potential and return prosperity to the island” concludes Soto.

Darren Soto

Peter Vivaldi wants Freshman members of Congress from Orlando to support push for Puerto Rican Statehood

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One of the first big decisions made by the three Freshman Democrats representing Orange County could be to support a push by the new Governor of Puerto Rico to make the current commonwealth the 51st state of the United States. The Puerto Rican community is the fastest growing in the Orlando area and the state of Florida.

Community Leader and former Candidate for office, Peter Vivaldi wants Stephanie Murphy, Val Demings, and Darren Soto to be mindful on the effect their support could have on the community. Soto is the first Puerto Rican member of Congress to represent the region in the House of Representatives.

“This has the potential to boil over.” said Vivaldi referring to the current financial review board set by the Congress as part of the deal to manage the island’s massive debt “They were asking before and now they’re demanding that their rights not be violated anymore. We’re not part of the menu, we want a seat at the table”

The issue rose when Governor Ricardo Rosello said he would fly to Puerto Rico this week to back a bill that would admit Puerto Rico as a state and hold special elections that would vote in five House Representatives and two Senators that would represent the island on Capitol Hill, a tactic used by Tennessee to be admitted to become a state. The United States still has the ultimate say.

Murphy, Demings, and Soto will be sworn in on Tuesday. During their respective campaigns they all pledged to respect the will of the Puerto Rican people both during the process of managing their debt and their decision over what their future status could be. Whether it becomes a state, declares independence or remains a common wealth.

Vivaldi would like to see all three members of Congress unite with Rosello in favor of possible statehood.

“Be vocal about it.” continued Vivaldi “We want to see a strong Puerto Rico and we believe that’s through statehood. They represent such a large group of Puerto Ricans, I would like to see them call on Puerto Rico to be the 51st state.”

The 70 billion dollar debt in Puerto Rico has lead to a massive exodus from the island to here in Central Florida, where many families have come for a new start in the rapidly growing region.

Peter Vivaldi