Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Governor Anibal Acevedo-Vila Endorses Senator Barack...

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Governor Anibal Acevedo-Vila Endorses Senator
Barack Obama for President
Last-in-the-Nation Puerto Rico Democratic Caucus on June 1st Could Determine
Presidential Nominee with its 63 Delegates

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Anibal
Acevedo-Vila of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico today announced his
endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President.
Governor Acevedo-Vila praised Senator Obama as the leader to unite America
and move forward on a progressive agenda for change, while advocating for the
interests of Puerto Ricans and Hispanics in particular. Citing Senator
Obama's commitments on several key issues, including economic development and
job creation in Puerto Rico, and the future relationship of the Commonwealth
and the United States, Governor Acevedo-Vila today issued the following
statement.
Today I announce my endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of
the United States. Not only is he the right leader for Puerto Ricans, but
he is the right leader for the Hispanic community and the right leader to
unite all Americans. He has the determination to make our collective
future great.

Senator Obama demonstrates the strongest commitment to Puerto Rico that we
have seen in recent times in U.S. politics. Most importantly, he has
pledged to me that as President he will work to advance job creation and
economic development in Puerto Rico-my highest priorities as Governor.

Puerto Rico's Commonwealth relationship with the United States is a
treasured part of our identity and a critical tool for achieving our
economic development goals. Senator Obama respects and supports Puerto
Ricans' right to an unbiased, transparent self-determination process,
which may include a constitutional convention or plebiscite, should Puerto
Ricans reevaluate our status with the United States. He rejects the recent
assertions made by a controversial Presidential Task Force on Puerto Rico
which falsely declared our Commonwealth status as unconstitutional and
which would force Puerto Ricans to choose between only statehood and full
independence from the United States. Senator Obama believes that our fate
as U.S. citizens should remain in our own hands.

Senator Obama shares my goals for improving access to affordable
healthcare through Medicaid and other federal health care assistance
programs, and providing quality education for all Puerto Ricans.
Additionally, he has pledged his commitment to ensure the proper clean-up
of the U.S. Navy site on Vieques, the health of Vieques' people and the
successful use of this land.

Senator Clinton has been a valued friend to Puerto Ricans on the island
and U.S. mainland, including many in New York. Her support cannot go
unrecognized and on behalf of all Puerto Ricans, I thank her for her
leadership.

Great leaders like Senator Obama are defined by their visionary leadership
- but also by their willingness to listen to, and learn from, the voices
of citizens. The four million Puerto Ricans on the Island, along with the
four million across the U.S. mainland, are seeking such a leader as
President. Senator Obama has answered our call, by hearing Puerto Ricans'
desire to advance our economic, social and political aspirations. I am
proud to endorse Barack Obama for President.

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will hold its Democratic Presidential
campaign caucus on June 1, 2008, with 63 delegates available to the
candidates. Contrary to recent media reports, Puerto Rico's delegates are
awarded on a proportional basis.
SOURCE Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Michael Hartt, michael.hartt@edelman.com, +1-202-326-1707, or +1-202-631-8848,
for Commonwealth of Puerto Rico