; and (5) 97.2 percent of votes favored Statehood. 3. Purpose The purpose of the Act is to set forth the terms for the admission of the territory of Puerto Rico as a State of the Union. 4. Admission into the union (a) In general Subject to the provisions of this Act, upon issuance of the proclamation required by section 5, the State of Puerto Rico is declared to be a State of the United States of America, and is declared admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the other States in all respects whatever. (b) Constitution of State The State Constitution shall always be republican in form and shall not be repugnant to the United States Constitution and the principles of the Declaration of Independence. The current Puerto Rico Constitution is deemed to be republican in form and in conformity with the United States Constitution and is hereby accepted as the constitution of the State of Puerto Rico. 5. Issuance of presidential proclamation (a) In general Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the President shall issue a proclamation announcing that Puerto Rico is admitted into the Union on equal footing with other States in all respects. (b) Admission of State upon issuance of proclamation Upon the issuance of the proclamation under subsection (a), the State shall be deemed admitted into the Union as provided in section 4. 6. State of Puerto Rico Upon the admission of Puerto Rico into the Union as a State, the following apply: (1) Territory The newly admitted State of Puerto Rico shall consist of all its islands, together with the appurtenant reefs and territorial waters in the seaward boundary, presently under the jurisdiction of the territory of Puerto Rico. (2) Continuity of government Persons holding executive, legislative, and judicial offices in the Government of Puerto Rico shall continue to discharge the duties of their respective offices consistent with the United States Constitution, Federal laws applicable to Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Constitution, and the laws of the State of Puerto