Title: Puerto Ricans' U.S. Citizenship Day

Summary: Recognizing March 2, 2017, as "Puerto Ricans' U.S. Citizenship Day" in Florida, etc.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, United States policymakers favored granting citizenship to Puerto Ricans in order to support United States permanence in Puerto Rico, to strengthen the governance of the territory, and to forge a stronger bond with Puerto Rico, and WHEREAS, the Jones Act of 1917, which conferred naturalized citizenship, was replaced by the Nationality Act of 1940, which extended the rule of jus soli, or birthright citizenship, to Puerto Rico, thereby cementing United States citizenship as permanent and irreversible for island-born Puerto Ricans and their children for generations to come, and WHEREAS, after a century of United States citizenship, the main goal of the Jones Act to augment the bond with the people of Puerto Rico has clearly been achieved, as over million Puerto Ricans now reside stateside, and of those, million reside in this state, and WHEREAS, as residents of Florida, Puerto Ricans actively participate in public affairs, make significant cultural, political, and social contributions, and enhance the well-being of the state and all its residents, and WHEREAS, March 2, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of the Jones-Shafroth Act and the granting of United States citizenship to the people of Puerto Rico, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: That March 2, 2017, is recognized as  Puerto Ricans  U.S. Citizenship Day  in Florida.