Pierluisi introduces the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009

Oh God. When will the issue of political status on the island be resolved? Bueno, here's yet another step. It will probably not lead to a real change in the island's political status, but it is a step at least.

Today, Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi for Puerto Rico introduced the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009. Here's an excerpt from Pierluisi's speech today:

"The bill I have introduced today is simple and it is fair. It first authorizes the government of Puerto Rico to conduct a plebiscite. Voters will be asked whether they wish to maintain Puerto Rico’s present form of political status or whether they wish to have a different political status. If a majority of voters cast their ballots in favor of a different political status, the government of Puerto Rico will be authorized to conduct a second plebiscite among three options: independence, statehood, and sovereignty in association with the United States.
The bill does not exclude any status option, and it does not favor any status option.
It enables the people of Puerto Rico to express their wishes regarding the Island’s
political status in a series of democratic votes. It will thus ensure that the views of all the people are heard on this fundamental question. The results of these votes
will be certified to the President and to Congress.
I am optimistic that this bill will receive a fair hearing in committee, that it will be brought up for a vote before the full House, and that it will ultimately be approved by this chamber with strong bipartisan support. I am likewise confident that the Senate, having witnessed these events in the House, will also approve the bill. And I believe that President Obama, who has promised to address the question of
Puerto Rico’s status within his first term in office, will sign the bill with pride
when it reaches his desk."

For the full speech, go to
http://pierluisi.house.gov/home.html

PRSUN's Featured Video: 'Apariencias' by Navegante

"Apariencias" Official video! from Navegante on Vimeo.

NAVEGANTE delivers a fresh urban blend of Electro Latin Funk with deep synth-bass lines and hard hitting beats layered with the melodic tapestry of the the Puerto Rican Cuatro. For more info., visit http://www.vimeo.com/4717793.

source: Navegante

Boricuas writing their own history

Boricuas writing their own history.
That's what this period in history will be known as.
Everytime a poet writes a stanza,
everytime an author writes a chapter,
everytime a comic tells a joke about growing up in an Hispanic home,
everytime a photographer documents an event,
everytime we tell our story we are writing our own history.
This is really what Cemi Underground was all about. -- Luis Cordero, Cemi Underground

Support Cemi's All-Star Extravaganza featuring Los Pleneros de la 21, poets like La Bruja and Mariposa and more.



(Click on image for larger text.)

For more information about Cemi Underground and the Extravaganza event, go to www.cemiunderground.com.

Serrano Presents Purple Heart to Jose Velez-Valentin

Congressman Jose Serrano (at right) recently presented the Purple Heart to Jose Velez-Valentin, a Bronx veteran wounded in the Korean War. Mr. Velez-Valentin had been working to get appropriate recognition for his combat-related injuries from the Defense Department, and ultimately came to Serrano’s office for help. The ceremony last week was the culmination of that work, and a long-overdue acknowledgment of Velez-Valentin’s sacrifice in Korea.

“I was pleased to have been able to help Mr. Velez-Valentin to gain recognition for his service to our country—and the wounds that he suffered as a result,” said Serrano. “Our nation makes a pact with those who serve in the Armed Forces, and part of that pact is making sure that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Today we are honoring the heroic service of a Bronx resident and thanking him for what he did for our nation more than 50 years ago in Korea. On behalf of the Bronx and as a representative of our federal government, I thank him for his service and salute him as a veteran wounded in defense of our nation.”

Jose Velez-Valentin was seriously wounded by artillery fire in Korea on May 29, 1953 while advancing against the enemy. He served in the 14th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division and was discharged as a Corporal, athough he apent time as an Acting Sergeant during the Korean War.

source: Reprint from The Serrano Report; photo courtesy of Serrano's office

Hispanic Panic's Charlie Vazquez talks to PRSUN Radio

Charlie Vazquez is my guest at 9 p.m. Wednesday on PRSUN Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.
Charlie Vazquez is NYC-based writer and blogger. He hosts a monthly reading series called PANIC! (in the East Village), which focuses on unusual and original writing—from erotica to poetry to horror. He is now working on Hispanic PANIC, which willl be held in NYC on May 27. Hispanic Panic is described as "New York City’s only running monthly queer reading series." Host Charlie Vazquez has gathered a roster of Latino literary talent, with an LGBT/feminist slant.
For more, go to my blog at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.

(photo courtesy of Charlie Vazquez)

UPDATE

To listen to my interview with Charlie