Title
Recognizing Alejandro Garcia Padilla, Carmen Yullin Cruz Soto, and the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico on its stunning Election Day victories.
Body
WHEREAS, Alejandro Garcia Padilla was elected Governor of Puerto Rico on November 6th, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Garcia Padilla defeated incumbent Luis Fortuno by a narrow margin, and will be inaugurated into office on January 2nd, 2013 as the 11th elected Governor of Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto was elected Mayor of San Juan, and will be the third woman to assume this post, after Felisa Rincon De Gautier, and her mentor, Sila Calderon; and
WHEREAS, The PDP was in founded in 1938 by Luis Muniz Marin around the ideals of Puerto Rican cultural heritage, autonomy, and eventual independence; and
WHEREAS, The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) led by Garcia Padilla and Cruz Soto surged in the general election, regaining majorities in the Legislature, as well as scoring victories in many localities; and
WHEREAS, The Popular Democratic Party reversed solid majorities by the New Progressive Party in both the House and Senate, showing the groundswell of support among the electorate for the PDP's platform of greater autonomy for the Puerto Rican people; and
WHEREAS, The PDP also took Mayorships in the cities of Aguada, Arroyo, Ciales, Corozal, Guayama, Lajas, Las Marías, Luquillo, Salinas, Toa Alta, Utuado, Vega Baja and Yabucoa; and
WHEREAS, PDP Representative Jamie Perello will serve as Speaker of the House when session commences on January 14th, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Current PDP Minority Whip, Eduardo Bhatia will assume the role of President of the Senate; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico set a record for Election turnout with over 1.5 million ballots being cast across the Island; and
WHEREAS, While the referendum on status indicates that a majority of Puerto Ricans support a change in status for the Island, it is incorrect for political leaders, including President Obama, to ...
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