At first, Rafael Hernández Colón spoke to his eager audience in Spanish.

But when he started addressing the history of Puerto Rico’s status with the United States, he switched to English.

Colón, the former of governor of Puerto Rico, was well-received by a full auditorium, the majority of which were Puerto Rican. The former governor spoke for about an hour, including a question-and-answer session on the current relationship between the United States and its commonwealth, Puerto Rico.

‘The ethnic tapestry of the nation has changed,’ Colón said of his country. ‘Multiculturalism is a reality, but the sense of nationhood has not changed.’

Colón began his speech with the history of the ties between the two nations, which began in 1898 when the United States invaded Puerto Rico. In 1953, Puerto Rico officially became a commonwealth of the United States with permission from the General Assembly of the United Nations.

‘But one thing was clear to Congress from the beginning,’ Colón said. ‘Puerto Rico was not destined for statehood.’

Much of Colón’s speech focused on the economic, cultural and political connections between the United States and Puerto Rico, an issue which hit home for a majority of the audience.

Those in attendance cheered loudly when he mentioned Puerto Rico’s victory over the United States basketball team during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Colón discussed the circular pattern of migration in which Puerto Ricans migrate to the United States to work, then return home years later. This pattern, Colón said, creates a union between the two countries.

‘The homeland of Puerto Rico has come to be not only the island, but the mainland,’ Colón said.

Colón challenged the audience with important issues for the future of Puerto Rico. If it becomes a state, he said, federal taxes would cause the collapse of the Puerto Rican economy. He also questioned whether the union between the United States and Puerto Rico will take the form of a new commonwealth or of statehood.

During the question and answer portion of the event, one audience member asked Colón about the recent proposed bill, signed by Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, which states that commonwealth is not an option as a permanent status of Puerto Rico.

‘That report will probably cost Hillary Clinton the primary in Puerto Rico,’ Colón said.

When Colón ended his speech, the audience rose to its feet and delivered a standing ovation. For several minutes after the official speech was over, students gathered around to exchange a few words with the former governor.

‘I really admire his talking to people of our status right now,’ said Zoraima Figueroa, an undeclared sophomore in The College of Arts and Sciences.

Erwin Riefkohl, a sophomore architecture student and Colón’s grandson, was equally impressed with his grandfather’s speech – and proud of his legacy.

‘He established a hope for the future of the current political system in Puerto Rico,’ Riefkohl said. ‘He regarded Puerto Ricans on both lands as part of one big community.’

But it wasn’t just interested students who praised the former governor. Bea Gonzalez, dean of University College, admired his ability to teach.

‘He took complicated issues and presented them in a clear way,’ Gonzalez said. ‘People who knew something learned a little bit more.’

As for Colón himself, he enjoyed the whole experience.

‘I’m very impressed with the university,’ Colón said. ‘There is a center of excellence here that motivates you when you come here to visit.’

azmeola@syr.edu

Published on April 3, 2008 at 12:00 pm