The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.62/No.31           September 7, 1998 
 
 
25 And 50 Years Ago  
UNITED NATIONS, New York - A sense of excitement permeated an audience packed with supporters of independence for Puerto Rico when the United Nations Committee on Decolonization met last week.

Juan Mari Bra's, general secretary of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party (PSP), and Rubén Berríos, president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), spoke before the committee Aug. 23 and 24. This unprecedented event was the first time that leaders of the independence movement in Puerto Rico have been invited to address the body.

Puerto Rico has been a colony of the United States since the end of the Spanish-American War. In 1952, the U.S. tried to disguise this fact by formally granting Puerto Rico the status of "Commonwealth." In reality, however, the island continues to be a U.S. colony.

September 6, 1948
Harold Russell, handless World War II veteran and star of the Academy Award motion picture "The Best Years of Our Lives" has accepted the national chairmanship of the defense committee for James Kutcher, legless Newark veteran who faces dismissal from his $40-a-week Veterans Administration job because of his membership in the Socialist Workers Party. Kutcher, who lost both legs in combat in Italy and has taught himself to walk with artificial limbs and two canes, has challenged the 30-day dismissal notice sent to him on Aug. 13. He is fighting for his job despite his admitted affiliation with an organization on Truman's and Attorney General Clark's political blacklist. Mr. Russell is a hospital buddy of Kutcher. They occupied adjoining beds for five months. When informed of the "loyalty" purge action against his former hospital-mate, Mr. Russell immediately offered his services in Kutcher's defense.

 
 
 
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