Congressman Lloyd Smucker wrote to Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello regarding the latest report on Hurricane Maria’s death toll. You can read the whole letter below.
Lancaster, Pa. – U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-16) has contacted Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló about the impact of Hurricane Maria’s devastation on fellow Americans in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rican officials originally reportedthe death toll at 64, but a recent studyby The George Washington University – conducted at the request of Governor Rosselló – places the number of excess deaths as a direct or indirect result of Hurricane Maria at 2,975.
In his letter to Governor Rosselló, Rep. Smucker said:
“I write to you today concerning the devastating impact Hurricane Maria had on our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico. As you know, Pennsylvania has a large Puerto Rican population, and my Congressional District is home to approximately 72,000 proud Puerto Ricans. As a result of the storm, many people have moved and continue to move to our commonwealth to restart their lives, and Pennsylvanians are proud to provide support to the victims of the devastation. We are thankful for your government’s efforts to recover from the storm, as well as the continued updates and information provided to Congress by Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, Jennifer González-Colón.”
Since Hurricane Maria, Rep. Smucker has worked to provide necessary resources to assist Puerto Rico’s recovery:
- On September 28, 2017, Rep. Smucker contacted then-Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Elaine Duke to call for federal cost sharing to be extendedfrom six months to one full year.
- On October 7th, 2017, Rep. Smucker traveled to Puerto Ricoon the first official Congressional delegation trip to the island. While there, Rep. Smucker met with officials from FEMA and the Puerto Rican government.
- On October 10th, 2017, Rep. Smucker joined WLCH Radio in Lancasterto discuss his visit to Puerto Rico and provide listeners with a firsthand account of the recovery efforts he saw during his visit to the island.
- On November 3rd, 2017, Rep. Smucker questioned Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Longabout ongoing relief efforts during a Houes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing.
- On December 11th, 2017, Reps. Smucker and Charlie Dent teamed up to provide resourcesto local school districts dealing with the substantial influx of Puerto Rican students displaced by Hurricane Maria.
- On February 2nd, 2018, Rep. Smucker joined his colleagues urging the FDA to remedy the crisis of a shortage of IV fluids.
- On June 6th, 2018, Rep. Smucker contacted DHS Kirstjen Nielsen and FEMA Administrator Brock Long seeking answers about the discrepancy in death tollsfrom Hurricane Maria.
The full text of Rep. Smucker’s letter to Governor Rosselló is below.
Dear Governor Rosselló,
I write to you today concerning the devastating impact Hurricane Maria had on our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico. As you know, Pennsylvania has a large Puerto Rican population, and my Congressional District is home to approximately 72,000 proud Puerto Ricans. As a result of the storm, many people have moved and continue to move to our commonwealth to restart their lives, and Pennsylvanians are proud to provide support to the victims of the devastation. We are thankful for your government’s efforts to recover from the storm, as well as the continued updates and information provided to Congress by Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, Jennifer González-Colón.
However, a recent report by The George Washington University – directed at your request – estimates that 2,975 excess deaths occurred in Puerto Rico as a direct or indirect result of Hurricane Maria. I know you are working to improve emergency procedures on the island, and I am confident that your first priority is the safety and well-being of Puerto Rico and those who call the island home.
When I visited Puerto Rico with some of my colleagues shortly after Hurricane Maria and met with you, we discussed the long-term commitment that would be needed to recover. Nearly one year later, many Members of Congress, including myself, stand by that commitment. Moving forward, I request that you continue to keep me and my colleagues informed of what changes should be made to provide for recovery and prevent future loss of life. If this requires additional federal resources from the U.S. Congress, I stand ready to work with you.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Lloyd K. Smucker
Member of Congress
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