Scott Powers
Brevard County Commissioner John Tobia‘s local resolution urging Congress to deny statehood to Puerto Rico died for lack of a second Tuesday evening, and then he endured a half-hour of criticism and belittling from residents angry about his proposal.
Tobia, a former state representative from Brevard, withstood 10 public speakers – some Puerto Ricans living in Brevard or Orange County, some non-Puerto Ricans – accusing him of being “a little politician,” of overstepping his authority as a county commissioner, of seeking to further his career at the cost of Puerto Ricans, and of introducing a resolution “with an air of racism about it.”
“This resolution is inflammatory, misleading and disrespectful to the people of Puerto Rico,” said Dr. Jorge Perez de Armas, a retired U.S. Army major and hematologist born in Puerto Rico and living in Brevard County.
One speaker spoke in favor of the resolution.
Tobia sat respectfully and did not seek to reply to the speakers, and Board Chairman Curt Smith did not ask him to.
Before the speakers, he introduced the resolution, read it, and moved for its adoption. No one seconded. Smith declared it dead. A large number of people at the meeting applauded.
Tobia told FloridaPolitics.com on Monday that he was concerned that Puerto Rico’s total public debts including the pension system totaled $123 billion and he did not want the United States to have to take on that debt.
Several speakers, notably Puerto Rico activist Peter Vivaldi and Anthony Suarez, president of the Puerto Rico Bar Association of Central Florida, both of Orlando, argued that debt already is the United States’ debt, held largely by United States companies, and whether or not Puerto Rico becomes a state would not transfer any of it to the federal debt or change it.
But most of the discussion had to do with speakers’ indignation that Tobias would try to address Puerto Rico in a county commission resolution. Catherine Haynes of Melbourne sought to ridicule the move by reading a list of other non-county issues he should consider, including benefits of adopting a vegan lifestyle, increasing the length of baseball games, and “What happened to Paris Hilton? Why is she no longer in the spotlight?”
Several of the speakers are Republicans like Tobia; Vivaldi accused Tobia of using rhetoric in the resolution that is similar to that used by anti-statehood U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, whom Vivaldi called socialist, adding, “using the same sentences a socialist would use is very offensive.”
Several speakers, including Perez de Armas, Suarez, retired Army Col. Dennis Freytas of Orlando, former U.S. Marshal Randy Foster of Satellite Beach, and Samuel C. Lopez of Melbourne talked of Puerto Rico’s proud history in the U.S. Military, with more per capita serving than from any state.
8 comments
Andrew Nappi
July 11, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Mr. Tobia was surely trying to speak to some audience with this resolution, but it was ill conceived and met an end anyone could have predicted. Puerto Rico isn’t a foreign country, it is essentially a state without the right to vote for president. When those citizens come here they gravitate towards the democrat party and Mr. Tobia’s resolution gave them no incentive to investigate the GOP alternative. Blunder.
Carlos
July 11, 2017 at 10:23 pm
In Puerto Rico is the Republicans are the Statehood Party, but they have little or no support of their fellow republicans here on the mainland, hence the reason most gravitate to the Democrats when relocating stateside.
JFN
July 12, 2017 at 8:16 am
Correct. Additionally, this man should be ashamed of himself because he should know better. He was born in Hawai’i.
David
July 12, 2017 at 5:18 pm
In this country you’re entitled to your opinion, even when you’re a refugee a resident or even an illegal alien 👽
I like to remind you that Americans that live on the Island 🌴 territory of PR voted for Sen Rubio followed by President Trump as there choice for the GOP nominee, I am pretty sure that if President Trump if whenever he signs The Puerto Rican Statehood proclamation, Not only Puerto Rican republican but also Puerto Rican Democrats an independents would vote for Pres Trump reelection, BIG- LEAGUE!
Karen Diaz
July 12, 2017 at 8:25 am
Anthony suarez is president of Puerto Rican Bar Association of the state of florida not just central florida
Abraham Ortiz MD
July 12, 2017 at 6:13 pm
This is a futile racist intention, simple as this.
Dennis Freytes
July 12, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Hi! I Testified against the Brevard County discriminatory Resolution against Statehood for Puerto Rico! I had sent them the FACTS beforehand. I fight for EQUALITY; Equal treatment under just Laws!
EQUALITY+JUSTICE+PROGRESS=STATEHOOD with DIGNITY! Let’s work together for the good of all! With truth, reason, courage, and Civic Action We will overcome! HOOAH!
PS: SUMMARY: BREVARD COUNTY TESTIMONY-VOTE NO-
RESOLUTION AGAINST PR STATEHOOD (11 July 2017)
INTRO: HI! I’m Colonel Dennis Freytes, US Army Retired. As an American Veteran who has been inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame, by our FL Governor; former Trustee of Valencia College; confirmed by the FL Senate twice; former Professor (PMS)/ Commandant Officer School University of Puerto Rico; Former Commander of Infantry, Special Forces, Airborne, and other Units; now a Community Servant Leader-Fighter for a just cause—
I respectfully say to this Honorable Body: Millions of loyal US Citizens from the US Territory of Puerto Rico, and Others here– are on a QUEST for INSTITUTIONAL EQUALITY! WE ask you SUPPORT; not HINDER our fight for JUSTICE!
Please, VOTE NO on Commissioner’s Tobia’s Resolution against Puerto Rico’s STATEHOOD because– it lends itself to discrimination against patriotic and loyal Hispanics-Puerto Ricans, including American Veterans residing in the US Territory of Puerto Rico—which have sacrificed; shed sweat, blood and tears for YOU; help ensured the security, peace, freedom, and prosperity for Florida, and our noble USA—the greatest Nation in the annals of Human History!
FACTS SUMMARY– Please, read the email I sent you on 5 July 2017 with details, reason and FACTS– based on our US Constitution, US Supreme Court Decisions-including the racist Insular Cases (1901-1925+), Presidential, Congressional (CRS-Congressional Research Service, GAO-Government Accounting Office), US Department of Justice Reports… other jurisprudence. As an American Floridian Boricua Patriot, we must stand up for millions of disfranchised US Citizens! “Canto claro como un Gallo Boricua de Manati-Monte Bello!”— Even if at times the Federal Government has been benevolent, SOME FACTS are:
• In 1898, the United States invaded; took Puerto Rico, by force, made it an “un-incorporated” US Territory (“…more foreign than domestic…). This keeps Puerto Rico a perpetual US Territory with our US Congress empowered to discriminate in applying the US Constitution to Puerto Rico; allowing for a covert federally undemocratic and discriminatory 2d Class US Citizenship! Plus, it places Puerto Rico in a strait jacket in being able to resolve by itself the Fiscal, Economic, Status (which affects everything Puerto Rico does), and Humanitarian Crisis—that has created an exodus to the States, including here, taxing local resources!
• Remember, “We the People” is made up of Equal US Citizens! But, Congress in 1917– created a federal Voter segregated Group of 2d Class US Citizens—where, those residing in Puerto Rico can’t VOTE for their US President-Head of State; don’t have just representation in the US Congress that determines their destiny; don’t have full earned benefits; NO parity in Federal Laws—like in 42 Federal Programs, Puerto Rico only gets 40-60% of Federal Funds received by the States! Also, Statutory (by Law, under the Territorial Clause) US Citizens, no matter where they reside, don’t have a permanent US Citizenship!
• Plus, the Federal Government controls PR’s Economy/ Free Market, Currency, Security, Borders, Shipping (with higher consumer costs for all goods), Taxes, earned Benefits, Federal Votes…; oversees all local laws; can cede PR to another Nation…; can differentiate (discriminate) in applying the US Constitution or Federal Laws (like it has done in many Federal Programs and earned Benefits that cost dearly Puerto Rico’s and the MACRO American Economy)…!
• Puerto Rico Federal Status is a US Territory– under the US Constitution’s Territorial Clause; not a Commonwealth or ELA-Free Associated State–terms not found in the US Constitution, but, are political distorted terms– used to fool People as to the true PR Constitutional Status!
• All the cold numbers mentioned in the Resolution are one sided; don’t take into account the Federal Government’s unilateral control over Puerto Rico nor its responsibilities in resolving the complicated Puerto Rican Economic, Fiscal, Status (affects everything Puerto Ricans do), and Humanitarian Crisis… nor the over 45 billion dollar Money Flow net gain for the Federal Government; net loss to Puerto Rico (a negative impact on its fiscal crisis)…!
• Please, remember, almost all US Territories before Puerto Rico had economic problems or were poor or had low Statehood Referendum participation Rates…; treated differently than Puerto Rico (which suffers discrimination)! But, ALL former US Territories, after achieving Equality and Parity in Federal Laws, made economic progress and contributions to our USA!
• Besides, it’s the duty of all to Vote; the majority to democratically decide! Many elections here, especially in off years, have very low participation rates…, but, the majority rules!
Loyal Puerto Ricans and Ancestors have made great contributions to our USA—deserve to be treated as EQUALS! Remember, the 1st Governor of Puerto Rico—Ponce de Leon—organized the Trip and sailed from Puerto Rico, most probably landing in Brevard County– which opened the doors to the advance civilization (of the times) for our now USA—107 years before the Pilgrims! Natives and Immigrants together-have made the USA a land of fairness, Liberty, and opportunity—the best in the World!
The way Puerto Ricans are Voter segregated and discriminately treated, is a travesty to our US Republic’s Representative Democracy—where all US Citizens (including American Veterans) should have EQUAL protected Individual Civil Rights; “consent of the governed” (as our Declaration of Independence calls for)! We must guard against the Tyranny of a Majority!
IN CLOSING, Puerto Rico’s Economic, Fiscal, and Status Crisis must be dealt and resolved concurrently! WE hope you will stand with Patriots of True Grit-for EQUAL treatment under just Laws; VOTE NO on this discriminating Resolution against US Citizens residing in Puerto Rico– as they have democratically VOTED twice for EQUALITY through STATEHOOD; to be admitted to the “Union of States”– with own STATE Identity, Sovereignty, Flag, Constitution, and parity in Federal Laws–like other States, and US Citizens have!
Please, arm yourself with knowledge; don’t listen to those poorly informed that provide excuses; a twisted logic or political distortion that sustains oppression! Help Stop discrimination! Support Equality, in a Non-Partisan way, for ALL US Citizens—including Puerto Ricans! Like Dr. ML King said—THE TIME IS NOW! Let the cry for REASON and JUSTICE prevail, as we work TOGETHER for the good of all: Family, Community, USA, and Humanity!
With truth, reason, courage, and Civic ACTION—WE will overcome! THANK YOU!
Any Questions? THANKS! (BY: American Veteran Dennis O. Freytes)
PLEASE, READ ENCLOSED FACTS
https://youtu.be/DRbqumz0bWw
Abraham Ortiz MD
July 12, 2017 at 8:35 pm
Simply…failed due to lack of true data.
Comments are closed.