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Distribution: November 14, 2014
OLIVER TO ADVANCE EQUALITY FOR PUERTO RICO CAMPAIGN
The non-partisan United States Council for Puerto Rico Statehood announces that Ken Oliver has been
elected to the Councils Board and the role of Executive Director. Olivers nomination received
overwhelming support from the Board following recommendation by outgoing Executive Director, Justin
OBrien. He succeeds OBrien who previously followed Tom England in the position. Founded in 1998
following the U.S. Senates failure to act to end unequal citizenship in Puerto Rico and the islands
second tier status as a territory, the independent non-partisan Council is dedicated to education and
advocacy in support of equal U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans, and equality for Puerto Rico as a state of
the Union with full representation in both chambers of the U.S. Congress.
Ken Oliver is an unequivocal and fervent Puerto Rico and citizen equality advocate and an outstanding
addition to this ongoing 16-year effort. Despite the clear and historic vote in November 2012 calling for
equality for the Americans of Puerto Rico within the Union through Statehood, equality has not been
achieved and the struggle continues. Ken Oliver is uniquely well experienced and positioned to move this
effort forward to achieve the just goal of equality for Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans. said OBrien. The
unanimous support he has received is testament to his professionalism and the confidence and belief in his
leadership. He is absolutely the right man, in the right place, at the right time to move this righteous
American cause and effort forward.
"My first words are of gratitude to Justin O'Brien for the outstanding work he has done and continues to
do to advance the cause of Puerto Rican equality within the Union. It remains a critical unfinished
business of American democracy," said Oliver upon accepting the appointment. "As the United States
Council for Puerto Rico Statehood enters this new phase and renews its longstanding efforts in the weeks
and months ahead, in its mission to secure the active support of Americans everywhere for this great and
just cause, we will continue to count on Justin's wise counsel and support."
A United States territory since the Spanish-American War in 1898, and statutory United States citizens
without constitutional guarantee since 1917, in November 2012, Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans voted in a
54 percent majority to end Puerto Ricos political status as a territory under the United States constitution.
Statehood and equality within the Union of the United States received 61 percent of voter support of
constitutional alternatives to territorial status in the referendum. The 113th Congress appropriated $2.5
million for the Puerto Rico electorate to affirm their expressed desire for Statehood and equality within
the Union, but the territorys legislature has refused to act. Legislation currently before the U.S. Congress
calls for a straight up or down vote on Statehood for Puerto Rico to affirm the 2012 referendum result,
and lays out the process for admission of Puerto Rico as a state of the Union that would follow

another majority vote for Statehood.

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The U.S. Council for Puerto Rico Statehood is an education and advocacy organization dedicated to Statehood for Puerto
Rico and the education of all Americans about Puerto Rico, its current status within the Union of the United States, and
why Statehood is in the best interests of all Americans, in the 50 states and Puerto Rico, given the unequal effects of the
current territorial status on citizenship, sovereignty and civil rights. For more information visit www.prstatehood.org

Education and Advocacy for Statehood for Puerto Rico Since 1998