PRINTER'S NO. 1254
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
211
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, STREET, SCHWANK, FONTANA, RAFFERTY,
BROWNE, SABATINA AND FARNESE, OCTOBER 17, 2017
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, OCTOBER 17, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Urging the President and the Congress of the United States to
make emergency financial resources available to assist Puerto
Rico and its residents in recovering from Hurricane Maria.
WHEREAS, Nearly two weeks after Puerto Rico sustained damage
caused by Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria made landfall in
Puerto Rico during the early hours of the morning of September
20, 2017; and
WHEREAS, According to a statement issued by the island's
emergency management officials, Puerto Rico has been destroyed
due to damaging rain and winds in excess of 155 mph; and
WHEREAS, In recent years Puerto Rico has been burdened by a
debt crisis exceeding $9 billion, which resulted in the
bankruptcy of the island's utility service in July; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, necessary upgrades and improvements
to utility services have not been completed in recent years,
further jeopardizing the island's electrical grid and
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, With an inadequate infrastructure already in place,
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the result of damage sustained from Hurricane Maria has left the
residents of Puerto Rico without electricity and with extremely
limited cell phone service, emergency and medical services and
access to clean water and food supplies; and
WHEREAS, In some cases, the loss of communications has made
it virtually impossible for injured residents to call for or
receive lifesaving services; and
WHEREAS, Limited communications have also impacted much of
this Commonwealth's Puerto Rican population, who are unable to
reach family members located on the island; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania ranks fourth nationwide in the number
of Puerto Ricans living in the United States, with this
Commonwealth's Puerto Rican population totaling nearly 366,000;
and
WHEREAS, One-third of this Commonwealth's total Puerto Rican
population resides in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Sadly, residents of Puerto Rico face numerous
obstacles in their attempt to return to their normal, everyday
lives and have little hope of receiving emergency services in
the near future without the aid from the United States;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
urge the President and the Congress of the United States to
swiftly make emergency financial resources available to assist
Puerto Rico and its residents in recovering from Hurricane
Maria; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, the presiding officers of
each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from
Pennsylvania.
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