Executive Order Signed to Establish Hurricane Maria Memorial Commission

Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed Executive Order No. 189 launching a new Hurricane Maria Memorial Commission to provide recommendations on the establishment of a new memorial honoring the victims and survivors of Hurricane Maria and the resilience of the Puerto Rican community. New York State will issue a Request for Proposals and/or Request for Information seeking ideas, designs and the exact location for the memorial in Battery Park City. The announcement comes on the first anniversary of Hurricane Maria, and follows the release of last month's George Washington University report that estimated nearly 3,000 Puerto Ricans lost their lives as a result of the devastating storm.

"One year ago, Mother Nature tore through Puerto Rico claiming the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans and forever changing the lives of many more," Governor Cuomo said. "The federal government's failed response is a stain on American history, and I am establishing a commission to create a memorial honoring the victims and survivors of Hurricane Maria and the resilience of the Puerto Rican community. New Yorkers have always had a deep connection with our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and this memorial will show that this country loves and respects our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and we will never allow what happened to happen again."

Click here for the full announcement. 

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo