The July 4th, 1899 Foundation's principles and ideals are true to the legacy of Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa. Dr. Barbosa believed strongly in the dignity and equality of representative republican government, ethics, faith, the worth of the individual, and dignity
and equality for Puerto Rican's and Puerto Rico through Statehood.
Scholarly & Academic Endeavor
The Foundation's work emphasizes policy, analysis and academic reasoning and inquiry inclusive of conservative and liberal democratic thought. The Foundation counts as integral to its mission the support and development of forums and public discussion in furtherance of the Statehood cause, providing the movement a platform upon which to share its collective message, vision, mission, and goals.
Statehood
At its core, the Foundation's ethos is that there can be no compromise for the belief and commitment that only through Statehood can Puerto Rico attain the promise of equal, national citizenship and with it, its inherent rights and responsibilities. The Foundation firmly adheres to this fundamental principle established by our Statehood forebears.
Patriotism
Statehood is the destiny of the Puerto Rican people; it is the natural process and expectation, and this is reflected in the history
and relationship development between the Island and the mainland union States. We share in a common bond of God and Country, Service and Sacrifice, in the revered and sacred oath:
"I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All."
Federalism
The Foundation is committed to the Federalist ideal of a national union of States with representative government, and with it, the
nationhood and sovereignty of the States, the checks and balances of and on our federal government in its relationship with the
States, and the "consent of the governed."
The Founding Fathers believed that the consent fo the governed through representative government was the only legitimate basis
upon which a "free and equal" citizen could exercise legal authority on behalf of another.
The Republic
The Foundation believes in the ideology of governance as a republic, with an emphasis on liberty, rule of law by the people, and the civic virtue practiced by its citizens.
Independence & the Individual
The Foundation's work centers upon the core belief that the individual must, of a right, be afforded the ability and opportunity to live to their full potential in liberty, so "that all have the ability to excel and succeed in their pursuit of the promise of America." To arrive at that point and permit that achievement of full potential requires commitment, perseverance, and independent but supportive action.
Representative Democracy
The Foundation intrinsically believes that government, of a right ought to be "of the people, by the people, and for the people."
