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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: | Tim Schultz |
| June 16, 1997 | ||
| 202/833-0100 | ||
| 800/787-8216 |
NEW U.S.ENGLISH POLL FINDS TWO-THIRDS OF PUERTO RICANS
DO NOT CONSIDER THEMSELVES AMERICAN
WASHINGTON, D.C.As the U.S. Congress considers legislation to allow Puerto Rico to possibly become the 51st state, a June 9-11 poll commissioned by U.S.ENGLISH, Inc., revealed that 65% of Puerto Ricans do not consider themselves to be American. Although they are born U.S. citizens, only 16% of the Puerto Ricans surveyed considered themselves to be American despite Puerto Rico's association with the United States for almost 100 years. Of the 600 surveyed, less than 14% were sufficiently proficient in English to answer the questions. The rest had to be interviewed in Spanish.
On May 21, 1997, the Resources Committee of the House of Representatives passed H.R. 856, a bill introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), to allow voters in Puerto Rico to decide by 1998 if the island should become a state, get its independence, or retain its commonwealth status. The current legislation before Congress does not contain a requirement that English be made the official language of Puerto Rico. An April survey commissioned by U.S.ENGLISH Inc. found that 74% of all Americans favor requiring Puerto Rico to make English its sole official language prior to becoming a state. Among Puerto Ricans, polls have revealed an overwhelming preference for Spanish.
"This new poll clearly demonstrates that an official English language requirement is not only a reasonable condition of statehood for Puerto Rico but a needed one," observed U.S.ENGLISH, Inc. Chairman Mauro E. Mujica. "An official English requirement is supported by the great majority of the American people."
Mujica continued, "Without an official English requirement for Puerto Rico, the United States would be creating its own Quebec with the addition of a Spanish speaking state. To join the 'melting pot' of American culture as our 51st state, Puerto Rico must accept the common language of our culture. Without English as the official language of Puerto Rico, its people will never be able to participate fully in our American lifestyle and become part of the United States."
The poll also revealed that a majority of Puerto Ricans, 57%, support a requirement for a super-majority of at least 75% of the popular vote for statehood, before its adoption.
U.S.ENGLISH, Inc. is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to enacting laws to make English the official language of government. The group was founded in 1983 by the late Senator S.I. Hayakawa of California and has over 1.3 million members.
(The poll of 600 adults was conducted by American Viewpoint, Inc., from June 9-11, 1997, with a margin of error of ± 4.1%.) Copyright (c) 1997 by U.S.ENGLISH, Inc.
QUESTIONS FROM U.S.ENGLISH, INC. PUERTO RICO VOTER SURVEY:
1. Do you consider yourself to be Puerto Rican or American?
65% Puerto Rican
18% Both
16% American
1% Refused/No Answer
2. Can you recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States?
63% No
26% Yes
11% Don't Know
3. Do you know the words of "The Star Spangled Banner"?
66% No
28% Yes
5% Don't Know
1% Refused/No Answer
4. In general, do you support Commonwealth, Statehood, or
Independence for Puerto Rico?
42% Commonwealth
40% Statehood
7% Independence
8% Don't Know
4% Refused/No Answer
5. (Asked of those who responded "Commonwealth" in Question 4.)
Would you support statehood if a new Commonwealth does not
guarantee American citizenship for the children of Puerto
Ricans in the future?
43% Yes
40% No
8% Depends (Volunteered)
7% Don't Know
3% Refused/No Answer
6. (Asked of those who responded "Statehood" in Question 4.)
Which one of the following is your principal reason for
supporting statehood?
16% Because we would not lose welfare,
food stamps and social benefits
from Congress and may receive
increased benefits.
23% Because I feel American and the
United States is my country.
37% Because of the civil rights we will
have as American citizens.
16% Because I do not want
Independence.
8% Other/Don't know
7. (Asked of those who responded "Statehood" in Question 4.)
If adoption of English as the only official language of
Puerto Rico was a requirement to Puerto Rico being granted
Statehood, would you still favor Puerto Rico becoming a state?
77% Yes
16% No
5% Don't Know
2% Refused/No Answer
8. Do you believe that a super- majority of 75% of the vote,
rather than a simple plurality of the vote, should be
required for the approval of statehood?
57% Yes
29% No
12% Don't Know
2% Refused/No Answer
9. Have you ever lived in the mainland United States?
53% Yes
46% No
1% Refused/No Answer
Note: The 1990 U.S. Census found that 98.2% of the Puerto Rican population over the age of five spoke Spanish. Of those that spoke Spanish, 52.3% spoke no English, 24.1% spoke English with difficulty, and only 23.6% spoke English easily.
The poll of 600 adults was conducted by American Viewpoint, Inc., from June 9-11, 1997, with a margin of error of ± 4.1%. Copyright (c) 1997 by U.S.ENGLISH, Inc.
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