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Pallone Roundtable Discussion on Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Relief

Perth Amboy Department of Social Services Representative Tashi Vasquez (L) translates for a woman (R) who spoke about the devastation in Puerto Rico. Her family is being helped by the City of Perth Amboy who helped her getting housing, food, schooling for her children, and other necessities. *Photo by Paul W. Wang

12/4/17

PERTH AMBOY – Before introducing Congressman Frank Pallone, Mayor Wilda Diaz stated how devastating Hurricane Maria was. The storm affected 4.3 million residents of Puerto Rico. “Our Community has done everything in our power to help.”

Congressman Pallone then spoke. He thanked Mayor Diaz and the Perth Amboy Community for all that they’ve done from day one to help. “Remember, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were hit by two hurricanes: Irma and Maria. Mayor  Diaz has given me valuable information. I also want to thank Yvonne Lopez for all of her help, even before the storms.”

Newly elected Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez made some remarks. She was speaking as Executive Director of PRAHD, “We serve everyone and have case managed 100 families that came in from Puerto Rico. ShopRite and Walmart were able to provide some provisions. Besides the Mayor’s Office, there have been many different coalitions that she (Mayor Diaz) has brought together in the City and State. I will be going to Puerto Rico for one day, myself. I want to thank Congressman Pallone for being an advocate for Puerto Rico.”

Pallone then spoke again, “The trip to Puerto Rico I was on was through the energy of commerce, which formed a committee. I’m the ranking member in Congress. We’ve had hearings in Washington and the trip was bipartisan. We left on a Friday and visited 3 regions: San Juan, a Mountain Area, and the Southern Caribbean Coast. We were hosted by Congresswoman Jennifer Gonzalez. I went to St. Croix and met with another Congresswoman and the Governors of the Islands. The first emergency energy appropriation bill of $30 million included relief to Puerto Rico, Texas, and the Virgin Islands. Another $44 million is to be allocated. This is not enough. The Governor of Puerto Rico said the island alone needs $100 million.”

Pallone compared these recent hurricanes with Superstorm Sandy, “Sandy hit the coastal areas of New Jersey. Irma and Maria, which had 9 continuous hours of devastating winds would be the equivalent as if the whole state of New Jersey were hit and heavily damaged. We flew over the town of Dorado. Roofs were ripped off the homes. Every third house had a tarp covering the top. Some small remote cities had no more than 30% power and there’s raw sewage everywhere. There were no roads, and they’re trying to fix power lines and putting up temporary roads. I went to a disaster center where I saw a man crying. A FEMA Representative that was there had said it was because a family member had just died. The stats of reports on the death toll of 58 is not accurate. It’s probably closer to 500. The power grid in Puerto Rico is at least 45 years old. I think the whole grid needs to be replaced. Billions of dollars are needed. The Army Corps predicts that 100% of the power should be restored by May 2018. This has got to be speeded up. There’s no money for Medicaid. I asked the Governor about this. $880 million for Puerto Rico for Medicaid requires a match of funds. They don’t have the money. We need $1.5 billion annual for the next 5 years. The majority of people in Puerto Rico are eligible for Medicaid. Most hospitals are open and eligible for funding. We are trying to get the money. The power situation in the Virgin Islands is the same. Their solar fields have been destroyed. Microgrids are a possibility. In a children’s hospital in Puerto Rico, they’ve used Tesla Installed Solar Microgrids instead of the old aging power grids. In Christianson, the patients in a hospital had to be moved because of the mold. We need to see what can be done on a permanent basis. I’m not going to forget Puerto Rico.”

Mayor Diaz then spoke again, “The 3.4 million residents in Puerto Rico are not only surrounded by water, but also by sharks, snakes, and barracudas. I want to thank the Police Department, our Chaplains, and all the employees who helped to gather and send all these containers of supplies to Puerto Rico and to thank Pallone for bringing these problems to light. Puerto Rico has been treated differently and have made many contributions, but have been neglected. People are very depressed, and it’s been especially hard on the children. We are coming together to help these families come together in the United States.”

Pallone then talked about Puerto Rico not being part of the formula that is used in the United States when it comes to such programs as Medicaid. “They have a cap almost like it being a Block Grant. They are not eligible for highway money. The Governors in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands said they are treated as if they are another country. Because of the loss of power in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, some of the companies located there may have to relocate.”

Tashi Vasquez, who is in the Department of Social Services in the City said, “We are helping over hundreds of families that came over. We’ve helped with housing, food, schooling, and Medicaid. I went to Puerto Rico for a few days and the mountain areas are in desperate need.” Vasquez then introduced a young woman who talked about her experience during the hurricane and having to leave Puerto Rico and coming to Perth Amboy.

This woman explained her deciding factor was because New Jersey provided the assistance she needed for her special needs child, especially his education. Vasquez then explained, “Through the Department of Social Services, we were able to get assistance of Section Eight for this woman, and her children will be able to be enrolled in schools after they get their vaccinations and the paperwork in order.”

Tashi Vasquez then stated, “We also helped 167 individuals, a lot who are senior citizens. On December 15, 2017 through the Mayor’s Office we will have a festival (which includes food, music, and gifts) for these families and individuals for the holidays.”

Kevin Brown, a Union Representative, who has members in Puerto Rico said, “We were discussing anti-labor reforms. As the Mayor says, there are sharks that have washed up on the island since the hurricane, and Hedgefund Managers have been taking advantage of the situation. We have a Natural Resource Committee looking into this. 50,000 jobs have been lost. Puerto Rico needs to have a sustainable economy, so they can rebuild for themselves and take control. We have to make sure our workers are protected. We reject privatization. We don’t have coordinated service efforts as they do in New York. We have to make sure that the people who were eligible get their Medicaid, Medicare, and Food Stamps.”

Ariana Moreau, who is a member of the New Jersey Hispanic Bar spoke about rebuilding Puerto Rico. “Right now, they do not have voting rights. There should be a repeal of the Jones Act. Our association has set up a comprehensive aid packet. We have sent over $8,000 worth of supplies to Puerto Rico. 16 pallets of supplies were sent which included water. Our next project will be to collect toys for the children. Remember, they are suffering, too. They have a lot of psychological problems. Remember, it’s pitch dark at night. The New Jersey State Bar Association website will have updates on how you can help Puerto Rico.”

Congressman Pallone made a remark in regard to having a cup of coffee in Puerto Rico and said, “A lot of the coffee fields were destroyed, and they also lost a lot of their livestock.”

The last person from the panel to speak was Jose Montes from PRAHD. “First of all, I am Puerto Rican, and there are a lot of impediments on the island. This is part of our journey. We have a coordinating committee working on helping the people of Puerto Rico. We are collecting monies which will be dedicated to the first responders in Puerto Rico who are also in need. We are working with the Latino Firefighter Unions and Grass Roots organizations such as churches and other local community centers. This will be a long-term commitment.”

Perth Amboy Councilman Fernando Gonzalez had a question, “Puerto Rico has been treated as second class citizens. Why did it take this long to bring this to light after not being given statehood for so long?”

Pallone responded, “I really can’t get into the status issue right now. I have a long fact sheet on Puerto Rico, and their status as to why they were never incorporated.”

In order to see the complete press conference, go to: https://www.facebook.com/RepFrankPallone/videos/10155451493487732/

Congressman Frank Pallone led a Roundtable Discussion at the Brighton Avenue Community Center on 12/4/17 On the panel were: (L to R) Jose Montes, Ariana Moreau, Kevin Brown, Mayor Wilda Diaz, Congressman Frank Pallone, Assemblywoman-Elect Yvonne Lopez, Tashi Vasqez of the Department of Social Services in Perth Amboy (not shown) *Photo by Paul W. Wang

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