<<<Back to News Center 2010

Friday, May 27, 2011

House Approves Pierluisi-Sponsored Measure to Increase the Number of Puerto Rico Nominees to the U.S. Service Academies

Washington, DC- The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation that will increase, from 18 to 24, the number of students that the Resident Commissioner and the Governor of Puerto Rico are entitled to nominate to the three U.S. service academies.

The provision was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (H.R. 1540) and is a direct result of legislation introduced in March by Pierluisi to increase the number of slots available for Puerto Rico students at the United States Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“I want to thank the House Armed Services Committee, especially Representative Susan Davis from California, for including this provision in the NDAA. Increasing the number of slots available to Puerto Rico students is justified on the grounds of basic fairness. Puerto Rico has a rich military tradition. Its residents have served with distinction in every conflict this country has waged since 1917,” said the Resident Commissioner.

Under current law, the Resident Commissioner is authorized to nominate only five students to each of the three military service academies. In addition, since 1964, the Governor of Puerto Rico has been authorized to nominate one student to each academy. Puerto Rico is the only U.S. jurisdiction where the Governor is authorized to make service academy nominations.

By contrast, every state has a minimum of 15 nominations to each military service academy. Because of Pierluisi’s efforts, the House-passed NDAA increases the number of nominations available to the Governor of Puerto Rico for each service academy from 1 to 3, thereby increasing Puerto Rico’s total nominations from 18 to 24.

“The service academies prepare prospective officers to shoulder extraordinary responsibilities and bear extraordinary risks. An academy education also opens up countless opportunities, both personal and professional. Residents of Puerto Rico have proven themselves willing to sacrifice for this nation in its armed forces. They should be treated in a fair and equitable manner with respect to service academy admissions. I hope the Senate, like the House before it, will approve this increase,” said Pierluisi.

$57 Million for a Readiness Center for the Puerto Rico National Guard

The House-passed NDAA also authorizes an appropriation of $57 million for the construction of a Readiness Center for the Puerto Rico National Guard at Ft. Buchanan.

“Construction of this Readiness Center is absolutely essential. Our guardsmen and guardswomen sacrifice so much for this country and for Puerto Rico, fighting for freedom around the world and for the security of our people here at home. They deserve the very best facilities to help them accomplish their vital missions,” said Pierluisi.

In addition, the House-passed NDAA requires, on any occasion when the U.S. armed forces display the flags of the 50 states, that they also display the flags of Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories alongside them. This provision was included at the request of Congressman Gregorio Sablan from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with the Resident Commissioner’s strong support.

“Symbolism matters. Men and women from Puerto Rico and the other territories serve alongside their fellow citizens. They take the same risks and fight for the same causes. They deserve to see their flag flying proudly alongside those of New York, Florida, Illinois and the other states,” said Pierluisi.