In 1976, US Congress passed a law authorizing Guåhan and the US Virgin Islands to create their own Constitutions. The following year, Guam lawmakers passed a law establishing a Second Constitutional Convention to draft a Constitution for Guåhan. The draft was approved by President Jimmy Carter. Although initially formed to address issues of preserving CHamoru language, the grassroots group Peoples Alliance for Responsive Alternatives (PARA) opposed the ratification of the Guam Constitution on the basis that it was not a true act of self-determination. When put to a vote, most voters rejected the newly drafted Guam Constitution.