Letter to Senate Members asking to support, Bill S.1894 - Exempt PR Permanently from the Jones Act

Let's contact our elected officials and ask them to support Bill S. 1894. Feel free to send your own letter or copy and paste letter below. ____________________________________________________________________ The Honorable ___________________ U.S. Senate ________________________ Washington, DC 20510 Re: S.1894 - A Bill to exempt Puerto Rico from the coastwise laws of the United States (commonly known as the "Jones Act") Dear Senator _______________, This year marks an ironic near anniversary. Just over a hundred years ago the people of Puerto Rico were granted citizenship. A few years later the repressive Jones Act was enacted. Now, a century later, Puerto Rico’s inability to thrive, as should be expected for a U.S. Territory, is due, in great measure due to this antiquated law. An antiquated law that is as old as the aging and dwindling fleet that no longer serves its war protectionist (in-case of military confrontation) purpose. It does, however, legalize a monopoly by a few U.S. companies. A legal status that allows the unequal and unfair treatment of fellow Americans. Just because this law makes this kind of disparity in treatment legal, doesn’t make it moral or right. And, most importantly, this law doesn’t adhere to the standards of the spirit of America, and its core fundamental values. There are no warships lurking off the coast of the U.S., nor its Territories today. In God We Trust, that if our Nation is ever in need to engage in defending our shores, our well equipped armed forces will have today’s capabilities to protect and defend our nation. It’s for these reasons that we are seeking your support of Bill “S.1894 - 115th Congress: A Bill To exempt Puerto Rico from the coastwise laws,…known as the Jones Act”. It would have been even better, from a national standpoint, if the bill included the territories of Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and Samoa. Amending this antiquated law is a sound legislative solution that will help Puerto Rico build its economy, just like its neighboring Americans, in Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Exempting Puerto Rico from the Jones Act, will greatly broaden the opportunity for Puerto Rico to compete and thrive in the Caribbean Basin commerce. This participation will help generate revenue for Puerto Rico to pay its outstanding debt, and its ability to sustain its future economy. Exempting Puerto Rico from the Jones Act, will also stimulate the economic growth in the U.S.A. as the demand for goods will increase as the prices drop and stimulate the economy in all its sectors. The Jones Act no longer meets the needs of the times. As our Government, WE THE PEOPLE respectfully request Congress to watch over the common interest of our Nation, and not just to any particular industry. As Americans we have the inalienable rights to the pursuit of liberty, happiness and prosperity afforded to us by the U.S. Constitution. And, you, the Senate, and, the Congress, are charged, with the responsibility to protect, uphold and defend these inalienable rights. By exempting Puerto Rico from the Jones Act, you will be meeting those responsibilities. We ask that Puerto Rico be exempted from the Jones Act Permanently to allow the Americans from Puerto Rico to thrive in their pursuit of securing their inalienable rights. We thank you for the opportunity to present our plight and be heard. Ivonne E. Hanks