Puerto Rico has fielded a team at the Olympics since 1948 but has never won a gold medal. The U.S. territory has won silver and bronze medals, but only in boxing, not in any other sport. This year all that may change.
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Tommy Ramos and the Olympic Games
Puerto Rico is proud of Tommy Ramos, a Bayamon-born gymnast who has qualified for the Olympic men’s gymnastics rings final to be held on August 6th in London. As a native-born Puerto Rican, Tommy Ramos is a U.S. citizen. He could have participated in the Olympics as a member of the U.S. team. Had he… Read more »
Happy Birthday to Jose Celso Barbosa!
In 1899, Jose Celso Barbosa and a group of supporters founded Puerto Rico’s first political party dedicated to promoting statehood with the United States. At the time, he explained, “[w]e want and we ask for equality. Not colonial control or protection. We [support] the same ideal of the American union with equality in rights and… Read more »
Puerto Rico: A Proud Tradition of Military Service
On July 18, 2012, Sgt. Jose J. Reyes, 24, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, sacrificed his life for his country in Afghanistan when a vehicle he was riding in was struck by an explosive device. The untimely death of Sgt. Reyes recalls the long tradition of honor and sacrifice by thousands of Puerto Ricans who have fought… Read more »
The Lessons of Hawaii and Alaska
The big news today in partisan, gridlocked Washington is that Republican Congressman Don Young of Alaska has endorsed Democratic Representative Mazie Hirono of Hawaii in her bid for the United States Senate. Rep. Young has even taken the unusual step of filming an advertisement with Hirono to demonstrate his support.
A Proven Work Incentive – But Only For States
At a recent hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, “Boosting Opportunities and Growth Through Tax Reform,” congressional testimony highlighted the effectiveness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) in lifting children out of poverty. Studies have affirmed for years that the EITC and CTC encourage work, and research now shows that these… Read more »
U.S. Responds to Concerns About Violence in Puerto Rico
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano visited San Juan on Friday, assuring the people of Puerto Rico that a strategy is in place to cope with increasing drug-related violence on the island. She said firmly that heightened security for U.S. border states was not affecting the level of support for the Caribbean.
Do Voter ID Laws Affect Puerto Ricans Disproportionately?
Although Puerto Ricans can’t vote in presidential elections as long as they reside in Puerto Rico, they can vote when they move to the mainland, as millions do. After all, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. However, Pennsylvania newspaper Philly.com has reported that the recent spate of voter ID laws may prevent many Puerto Ricans from voting in any election in the… Read more »
Nutrition Assistance in Puerto Rico: What It Means to be a Territory
Congressional consideration of the 2012 Farm Bill is once again raising issues about Puerto Rico’s status as a territory and the practical implications of that status. The United States Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill on June 21st. The Agriculture Committee in the House of Representatives approved a different version of the bill on July 12th. The Agriculture… Read more »
Puerto Rico at the Olympics
Puerto Rico will compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics independently of the United States, as it has since 1948. The National Olympic Committee for Puerto Rico was recognized in 1948 by the International Olympic Committee. How can Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, have its own Olympic team? As it happens, the Olympics… Read more »
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