Title
Urging President Donald Trump, the United States Congress, and its leadership at the House and Senate to act quickly in their federal relief efforts to assist the over 3.4 million United States citizens who live in Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017.
Body
WHEREAS, On Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria, the worst storm to hit Puerto Rico since 1928, made landfall, taking out the electric and telecommunication grid to over 3.4 million American citizens in Puerto Rico and destroying countless structures in its path. One hundred percent of residential properties were left without electricity and running water; and
WHEREAS, According to the Associated Press, 1,360 of the island's 1,600 cell phone towers were destroyed by Hurricane Maria and 85% of above-ground and underground phone and internet cables were knocked out due to the hurricane, making communication to and from the island to family and friends practically non-existent; and
WHEREAS, According to Governor Ricardo Rossello about 97% of the island's 3.4 million residents are still without power, others without running water, as supplies are slowly trickling in through the battered ports and airports. Gasoline and diesel for generators are being heavily rationed but are running out throughout the island which are necessary for patients on dialysis, ventilators, and generators for hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Maria to date has killed 16 people in Puerto Rico with the death toll likely to rise as people lack medical care, with only two to three days of medical supplies left, a small supply of drinking water, and lack of cooling units essential to keep the sick and elderly in stable condition; and
WHEREAS, At last count over 14,000 people were living in shelters, not including the thousands of homeless who have moved in with family. Eighty percent of Puerto Rico's crops have also been destroyed amounting to a $780 million dollar hit...
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