TRENTON – Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden/Gloucester) today issued the following statement on the state’s plan to aid the Hurricane Maria rescue and recovery effort in Puerto Rico. Governor Christie today announced plans to deploy National Guard members and emergency responders to Puerto Rico under the state’s effort, designated as the NJ Puerto Rico Integrated Deployment Effort (PRIDE):
“The situation in Puerto Rico has reached a crisis point. We need both federal officials and states to respond to the call for assistance from the people of Puerto Rico, which is home to 3.5 million Americans. I want to thank Governor Christie for his commitment to providing our state’s resources, and the men and women who are preparing to mobilize as part of the NJ Puerto Rico Integrated Deployment Effort.
“It is vital that we utilize every resource available to ensure this effort is carried out quickly and effectively. There is an extraordinary need on the island for basic necessities, and the conditions are growing increasingly dire for residents who are without food, drinking water, medicine, and proper shelter. I am pleased that our state is taking action to support the rescue and recovery mission. There is no doubt that it will take the full force of our nation’s emergency response efforts to assure that the people of Puerto Rico get the help they need.”
