This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Another Star In Our Flag?

The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico has a 100-year history as part of the U.S. Many Americans don't even realize that Puerto Rico's residents are U.S. citizens. They are, but it's a tricky relationship.

Puerto Rico's residents do not pay federal income taxes, and they cannot vote for President or representation in Congress. Puerto Rico has a Governor and a delegate to the U.S. Congress, but that person has no vote. The island is a commonwealth--a self-governing part of the U.S.--not a state.

Would things be easier if Puerto Rico became a state? Its Governor certainly thinks so. "It is not valid to keep nearly 4 million U.S. citizens without their full citizenship rights," says Governor Pedro Rosselló (Ro-say-yoh

)."]

Next week the island's voters head to the polls for a plebiscite (pleb-uh-site)--a vote to change or maintain its political status. Voters will say whether they want Puerto Rico to remain a commonwealth, become a state or have some other relationship to the U.S.

A Hundred Years As Part Of America
Puerto Rico lies 900 miles southeast of Miami. It was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus and was ruled by Spain for 400 years. It became a U.S. possession at the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898. Today Puerto Ricans are deeply divided over the island's political relationship to the U.S.

Historically, most Puerto Ricans have favored remaining a commonwealth. "Puerto Ricans want to have ties to the U.S., but they want to protect their culture and language," says Roberto Prats, 32, a lawyer in San Juan. "The only status that guarantees this is the commonwealth." He fears that if the island becomes a state, it may lose its unique identity. Another downside: Puerto Rico's residents would have to pay more taxes.

Still, Governor Rosselló thinks support for statehood is growing: "The younger generations are coming in. They're more supportive." No matter how Puerto Ricans vote, the U.S. Congress must approve any plan for statehood. Lawmakers are unlikely to consider the matter unless more than half of Puerto Ricans vote in favor of their island's becoming the 51st state.

---

About Puerto Rico

POPULATION: 3.8 million; an additional 2 million live in the U.S.

LANGUAGES: Spanish and English

GOVERNMENT: A self-governing part of the U.S. called a commonwealth; it has a Governor and legislature

HISTORY: Christopher Columbus visited on his second voyage, in 1493. After Spain lost the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico became a U.S. possession, and in 1952 it became a commonwealth.

Next: They're Playing His 'Toons