Contact: Press Office, www.johnmccain.com, 703-650-5550

ARLINGTON, Virg., Feb. 21 /Standard Newswire/ -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Congressman Luis Fortuno (R-PR) has endorsed John McCain for president.

In declaring his support for Senator McCain, Fortuno said, "John McCain is an American hero. I am dedicated and committed to helping John McCain's campaign for president because I know he will provide the leadership we need on local, national and international issues. For Puerto Rico, the issue of the territory's political status is paramount, because our continued economic and social development requires a permanent and stable political relationship with the United States. I look forward to working closely with Senator McCain to achieve a permanent resolution to Puerto Rico's status in addition to the many other important issues confronting our great nation, such as economic development, health, education and services for our brave veterans."

John McCain thanked Congressman Fortuno, stating, "I am honored to have Luis' support and have asked him to serve as a co-chair on my campaign's National Hispanic Advisory Board. The board will counsel me on issues important to the Hispanic-American community and will work to continue to build the campaign's growing grassroots organization across the country.

"Success for America in its governance of Puerto Rico means we must ensure that U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico are given the tools to resolve the question of their permanent political status. I fully support the findings and recommendations of the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status and am proud to have cosponsored the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007. I remain hopeful that this legislation, or its companion bill introduced by Congressman Fortuno and Congressman Serrano, will be enacted at the soonest possible time. Either bill will receive my support, whether it occurs during my service as a United States Senator or as president."