received 1.5 percent, and current territorial status received 1.3 percent of the votes cast. (13) Puerto Ricans have contributed greatly to the Nation in all fields of endeavor, both in war and in peace. Over 250,000 have served in the United States Armed Forces, many paying the ultimate sacrifice. They not only deserve, but have earned the right to have their voices heard. (14) Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the granting of United States citizenship to the people of Puerto Rico by Congress, who remain disenfranchised and trapped in a second-class citizenship that denies them the same rights and responsibilities as their fellow citizens in the States. (15) Equality within the Nation is required for a healthy American economy and essential for Puerto Rico’s social and economic well-being as well as for basic reasons of democracy. Puerto Rico should be transitioned into equality within the Union. 3. Purpose The purpose of the Act is to respond to, and comply with, the democratic will of the United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico as expressed in the plebiscites held on November 6, 2012, and June 11, 2017, by setting forth the terms for the admission of the territory of Puerto Rico as a State of the Union. 4. Admission Subject to the provisions of this Act, and upon the issuance of the proclamation by the President of the United States required by section 6 of this Act, the territory of Puerto Rico thereupon shall become a State of the United States, and admitted into the Union on an equal footing and in true permanent union with the other States in all respects whatsoever. 5. Transition process (a) State constitution The constitution of the State of Puerto Rico shall always be republican in form and shall be in conformity with the Constitution of the United States. The current constitution of Puerto Rico is deemed to be republican in form and in conformity with the Constitution of the United States and is hereby accepted as the constitution of the State of Puerto Rico. (b) Plebiscite results