Letter to Governor Brown

In response to the devastation caused by the hurricanes, our Secretary worked with other Puerto Rican organizations to craft a letter communicating a united effort. This coalition sent a letter our governor in California.

Hurricane Relief for Puerto Rico (HRPR):

A Coalition of California Puerto Rican Organizations and Friends to Benefit Hurricane Victims

September 25, 2017

Dear Governor Brown,

As you know, as a consequence of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Island of Puerto Rico, amongst others, suffered terrible devastation and damage to its entire infrastructure, buildings, agriculture, industry, and many private citizens’ homes and businesses. It will take several years and many millions or perhaps billions of dollars to get some sort of normalcy, rebuild the structures, replace the electric grid, get the water running again, and strengthen the foundation to help the Island get back on its feet. While Puerto Ricans are resilient and hardworking, generous and sacrificing, we desperately need your help.

With a Puerto Rican population of almost 200,000, we were establishing communities in California as early as 1900 and that number has been growing since then. As U.S. citizens and residents of the great State of California, with roots and/or family and friends in Puerto Rico, the undersigned Puerto Rican affiliated groups and individuals request your assistance in the way of financial and other crisis support for the Island. We understand that some of the governors of other states have done their part to show their support and lend a helping hand. Many of us have been fundraising and doing our part in trying to find the best ways to help our family and friends still residing on the Island. However welcome our resources might be, they are meager in comparison to the need, which is far too great for any of us to imagine of be able to satisfy through our own efforts.

Please let us know what kind of steps we can take to request that our State to pledge some monies and other type of rescue support to Puerto Rico and the other Islands that suffered this terrible fate.

Feel free to contact me, Anaida Colon-Muniz, at 714.325.9140 or you can reach me via email at acolon@chapman.edu .

Thank you in advance,

Anaida Colon-Muniz, Ed.D. Secretary,

National Conference of Puerto Rican Women Chapter in Southern California