Political Quotes

“as we mark the solemn eighth anniversary of Hurricanes Irma and Maria making landfall in the Virgin Islands, each as Category 5 hurricanes, I rise today to speak about the remarkable resilience of Virgin Islanders, the critical Federal partnership that secured the necessary funding for our recovery, and the transformative opportunity which is on the cusp of realization for our people. On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma pummeled the territory, shredded roofs, destroyed our utilities, and shattered lives. Two weeks later, Hurricane Maria made landfall in the Virgin Islands, wreaking destruction across parts of the territory already spared from Irma. The devastation was complete and overwhelming. Our hospitals were destroyed. Schools were left in ruins. Our children shared schools for 2 years, and thousands of homes were uninhabitable. Our residents lived without electricity for 9 months. In those darkest hours, I witnessed something extraordinary: the unbreakable spirit of Virgin Islanders. We came together to support one another, rebuild our community, and lay the foundation for a stronger and more resilient future. While others simply saw the need to rebuild, I saw an opportunity for transformation.”