Speeches and Statements

I want to join all of the elected officials and community leaders who are here today to express my support for Power4PuertoRico, a coalition of organizations whose mission is to empower the 3.4 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico and the 5.4 million American citizens of Puerto Rican heritage living on the mainland.

Hurricane Maria was a devastating event for Puerto Rico. But if there is any silver lining in this dark cloud, it is that Hurricane Maria has caused American political leaders and the American public to pay attention to Puerto Rico in a way that they never have before.

This attention creates an opportunity. Because, while indifference results in inaction, attention can lead to positive change. Puerto Rico is a beautiful place that is home to kind, generous, proud and resilient people. But the truth is that Puerto Rico has always been treated unfairly—whether it is the lack of voting rights and political power, or the lack of equal treatment under Medicaid, Medicare, and other social safety net programs.

Hurricane Maria should inspire us to intensify our efforts to seek justice for Puerto Rico. If the people of Puerto Rico are treated fairly, I know they have the talent and the determination to overcome any challenge.

Likewise, we must fight to improve quality of life for the 1.1 million Puerto Ricans who lived in Florida prior to Hurricane Maria, and the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans who are moving here after the storm. They are an integral part of our community and, like everyone else in our community, they deserve good jobs, quality health care, decent housing, and great schools for their kids.

Please know that I will always be your ally in this fight for Puerto Rico and for Puerto Ricans.

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Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy Remarks
Delivered by a Staffer at the “Take Action for a More Resilient Puerto Rico” Press Conference ACACIA Florida / Centro Borinqueño