JULY 4TH, 1899 FOUNDATION

As a tribute to the legacy of Dr. Barbosa and other great Statehood Advocates such as Luis Munoz Rivera, Jose de Diego Martinez, Federico Degetau Gonzalez, Santiago Iglesias Patin, Rafael Martinez Nadal, Miguel A. Garcia Mendez, Pilar Barbosa

Rosario, and Luis A. Ferre Aguayo, (Father of the New Progressive Party). As the Forbearers of our ideal, they envisioned
Puerto Rico's full integration to the American Union, as they worked so intensively and longed to see those efforts realized. To
all of us who believe in Statehood, the July 4th,1899 Foundation was established to provide a voice to that legacy and to promote
those same Statehood Ideals. We are compelled to serve as the good stewards and keepers of that most Noble and Great Legacy.

We envision a Puerto Rican State that guarantees the vestiges and rights due to all American citizens residing in the Island as

well as a viable economic public policy, which will insure a strong, prosperous and secure Puerto Rico. Our fundamental purpose is to promote those Statehood Ideals through Education, Policy, and Economic Development, by providing an open forum where ideas can be shared, and also by working with other organizations with the same common purpose. By networking and serving to bring together into one collective voice, the advancement of this vision and reality of that goal.

We believe that Puerto Rico should be given the choice of being admitted to the United States as the 51st State of the Union.

We believe that our fellow American residents of the Island should have the same equality, rights, and privileges granted to other

States through representation and the full rights under the United States Constitution.

We believe that by providing an academic forum on the statehood ideal we will bring an understanding to that cause; to secure

for out fellow Americans in the rights and equality of constitutional citizenship through the Bill of Rights; to guide and create an

economic policy for a strong Puerto Rico State which in it's end result, is the fulfillment of the American Dream and Promise that we all aspire to achieve.

The July 4th, 1899 Foundation as a policy and academic 'think-tank' established to address not only to the political question

of status, but also in all areas of policy that affect the Island. As Statehood materializes, we will continue to function in the forming and shaping of policy that affects the State of Puerto Rico and the general Latino American population here in the United States. Building on the principles and ideals of our Federalist and Statehood forbearers we can provide the scholarly argument and reasoning on "What Statehood would mean for the 50 States and for Puerto Rico - economically, politically, and socially.

By using ever means and resources available, we are moving forward as a Non-Partisan organization committed to a national

vision, mission, and goals. Since the Puerto Rican community in the United States is residing virtually in every State, we need

to reach out and communicate a coherent Statehood message and provide them with adequate and current information. Using

all forms of venues, building partnerships, and provide vital relevant resources and opportunities to strengthen our voice to further

the Statehood cause.

As we put forth these goals, we have a solid plan to work and move forward with our vision. This will guide us and give clarity and

coherency to what our message and purpose is all about and what we would like to achieve as a national organization.