Recognizing Puerto Rico's Continued Need for Federal Aid and Calling for Disaster Aid Appropriations
Adopted at the 87th Annual Meeting in 2019
WHEREAS, Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane, destroyed homes and caused utility outages along the northern part of the island resulting in an estimated $760 million in damages; and
WHEREAS, two weeks later Hurricane Maria, a second category 5 considered the worst natural disaster to hit the island, devastated Puerto Rico leaving much of its residents without basic resources critical to sustaining life; and
WHEREAS, the devastation of Hurricane Maria resulted in the longest electricity blackout in modern U.S. history; and
WHEREAS, in the aftermath Puerto Ricans demonstrated their boldness and resilience as they banded together to help neighbors and strangers alike cope with all manner of hardship; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Ricans have had to manage without medication, limited access to food and water, homes that needed to be abandoned or rebuilt and a myriad of other challenges; and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Maria caused over $90 billion in total losses along its path, most of which occurred in Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, key economies including agriculture were severely hit, with some crops being estimated to take years if not decades to recover; and
WHEREAS, ecosystems and species, some unique to Puerto Rico, were decimated. These sectors are important to the island's identity, tourism industry and economy; and
WHEREAS, the Americans living in Puerto Rico continue to need assistance from the Federal government to recover from this disaster that is barely a year and a half old; and
WHEREAS, we have a duty to our fellow Americans living in Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, individuals from cities across our nation have stepped up to raise funds and have sent food and other needed supplies to Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, the federal government must follow the example of its citizens and provide the level of aid funding that will not only restore Puerto Rico, but prepare it to confront the challenges to come,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on Congress to appropriate critically needed disaster relief funds to fully address the needs of Puerto Rico's ongoing recovery.