El Departamento de Justicia federal enfrenta una solicitud de parte del congresista Luis Gutiérrez para que se divulguen todos los intercambios y comunicaciones que han tenido con los cabilderos de la Administración Fortuño que aparentemente han detenido la investigación contra la policía por violación de derechos civiles que está pendiente desde 2008.

Gutiérrez, de origen puertorriqueño pero representante de Illinois, anunció la solicitud en el más reciente de la serie de discursos sobre asuntos de Puerto Rico que pronuncia desde el hemiciclo congresional. En esta ocasión, también rindió tributo a Don Ricardo Alegría recordándolo por, entre otras cosas, sus esfuerzos por preservar la integridad del Viejo San Juan.

En cuanto a Justicia federal, la solicitud al secetario Eric Holder está hecha sobre la base de la Ley de Libertad de Información (FOIA) y se dirige a todo 'correo electrónico, notas de reuniones, listas de asistencia, llamadas telefónicas, y cartas' entre ese departamento y cualquiera de las entidades que representan al gobierno de Puerto Rico en la investigación federal contra la policía.

Entre éstos, enumeró el bufete de Bryan Cave, el cabildero Jeffrey Berman, el bufete Wilmer Cutler Pickering hale <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>& Dorr, el gurú en sindicaturas policiales Robert Warshaw, y el ex monitor de la policía, Efraín Rivera Pérez./p

pa href='http://www.noticel.com/noticia/101404/fortuno-800-mil-para-evitar-sindicatura.html' target='_blank'NotiCel/a y a href='http://www.noticel.com/noticia/106036/fortuno-usa-amigo-de-obama-para-evitar-sindicatura.html' target='_blank'Pesquisa Boricua/a han informado detalles sobre estos contratos con los que el gobierno invierte millones en fondos públicos para atajar la posible sindicatura de la policía por su patrón de abusos y falta de estándares./p

pGutiérrez ya realizó una solicitud similar sobre el gasoducto que ha producido miles de páginas y expedientes. El comisionado residente Pedro Pierluisi ripostó el mensaje de Gutiérrez pero no habló en detalle sobre la investigación federal ni los cabilderos./p

p'Quiero dejar claro que aunque puede que en Puerto Rico no haya un gobierno abierto ni transparente, ni hay una ley (FOIA) en Puerto Rico, en lo que respecta al gobierno federal, la secretividad e impunidad del régimen en Puerto Rico termina aquí', concluyó Gutiérrez./p

pPara leer la solicitud a Holder, pulse a href='http://www.scribd.com/doc/59952918' target='_blank'aquí/a./p

pAbajo el discurso íntegro (en inglés):/p

pMr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a towering figure in Puerto Rican history and culture./p

pPuerto Rico and the world lost a pioneering and leading scholar last week with the passing of Don Ricardo Alegría./p

pDon Ricardo Alegría devoted his long life to the affirmation of Puerto Rican national identity and culture. His study of the history and culture of the Taíno Indians of Puerto Rico was groundbreaking work. By helping Puerto Ricans to understand our Taíno, African, and other heritage, as well as many other important aspects of Puerto Rican history and culture, Don Ricardo helped us all to understand better who we are, where we come from and what being Puerto Rican truly means./p

pBut Don Ricardo Alegría was not only a scholar whose work was essential to Puerto Ricans' understanding of our history; he was a determined and proud man who refused to let our culture be forgotten or destroyed.

He was a founder and Executive Director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, and of many other important research, cultural an educational institutions. In this role, he was a warrior defending our cultural heritage.

It is not an exaggeration to say that without Don Ricardo's leadership and tenacity, the historic buildings and walls of Old San Juan – which are loved by Puerto Ricans and visited by tourists from around the world – may not be standing today. He led the fight to preserve Old San Juan and to make sure its historic significance was understood by all.

Ricardo Alegria was an example of what makes all of us so proud to be Puerto Rican.

He looked to a better future while treasuring our past.

He embraced what makes Puerto Rico unique, and he understood that we have our own identity and that we should never run from it – we should celebrate it.

And without question, he loved our people and our history.

I offer Don Ricardo Alegria my humble thanks and gratitude for his commitment to Puerto Rico, his leadership for our people, and the way he elevated our history and our culture.

At this time of crisis for Puerto Rico, a time when many in power seem to have forgotten the traits that make us us, make our island our island, and make our history our history…

Don Ricardo was very supportive of my work in Congress.

The inspiration of towering Puerto Rican figures like Don Ricardo motivate me to speak out on this floor and denounce attacks on the civil and human rights of Puerto Ricans.

These attacks come from the same quarters Don Ricardo fought all his life.

They come from those who seek to destroy the national culture and identity of Puerto Rico.

They have not succeeded and will never succeed, because there will always be Puerto Ricans like Don Ricardo standing defiantly, proudly and courageously in their way.

This fact was driven home right here in Congress just yesterday, Mr. Speaker, at a well attended briefing conducted by the ACLU, the National Institute for Latino Policy and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund/Latino Justice.

As part of their briefing, these organizations showed a video depicting some of the many scenes of violence by the police of Puerto Rico against unarmed, peaceful demonstrators.

I have seen this video, and I am certain that any Member that sees these images would be moved to indignation and action. That these scenes happen under the American flag and that these abuses are committed against American citizens is simply shameful.

If any of my Colleagues saw these images, I am sure they would feel the same indignation I felt when I saw them.

Mr. Speaker, it is out of my deep concern for the people of Puerto Rico that I wish to inform my colleagues that I have sent a letter today to our Attorney General, the Honorable Eric Holder. This letter requests the release of any and all documents and information regarding contacts by officials or representatives of the Government of Puerto Rico with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding an investigation by the Civil Rights Division into very serious allegations of systematic police brutality in Puerto Rico -- an investigation that is at least three years old.

I have requested this information under the Freedom of Information Act because published reports allege that the Government of Puerto Rico is using its well paid Washington lobbyists and other resources to thwart the release of the Justice Department report.

The reports are based on lobbying disclosure forms that do not give much detail on exactly what the lobbyists do for the Government of Puerto Rico, which is precisely why I am asking the Attorney General for all of the information he has.

Given the recent history of the ruling party in Puerto Rico trying to act with impunity and in secrecy, these published reports have raised serious doubts in my mind.

So, Mr. Speaker, I want to make it clear that while there may not be transparent and open government in Puerto Rico or a Freedom of Information Act there, as far as the Federal Government is concerned, the secrecy and impunity of the regime in Puerto Rico ends here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.