In the 1950s, Puerto Ricans in the United States began to consolidate to gain more political power, and over the next three decades, many organizations were formed for this purpose. The National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR) was created in the early 1980s to become a mass-membership, activist, civil and human rights organization. Through grassroots coalition-building with blacks and other groups, the NCPRR addresses problems relating to the economic, educational, social, and political status of Puerto Ricans. The governmental and industrial sectors which historically have been the primary source of jobs for Puerto Ricans are declining. Only 40% of all Puerto Ricans over 16 are now working, and Latinos as a group are highly subject to underemployment, family poverty, low educational attainment and a high dropout rate. About one-third live in physically inadequate or overcrowded housing conditions, and their health status is also low. The Puerto Rican community has been harmed by the Reagan Administration's reduction of government spending on social programs and lack of support for affirmative action, as well as the current rightwing political climate. Puerto Ricans must continue to develop the power they have displayed in recent elections. (KH)