Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul met with leaders from nonprofit organizations and the health care sector to highlight ongoing relief efforts for Hurricane Melissa. The event took place at Montefiore Einstein, a well-known health care institution in the Bronx.
During her remarks, Governor Hochul emphasized the close relationship between New York and Jamaica, noting the state’s large Jamaican community. “Anybody here from Jamaica? Family members? We love Jamaica. New York is so proud to be the home of the largest Jamaican population in this country, over 200,000 strong. I think most of them are in this room, personally. That’s what it feels like to me,” she said.
Governor Hochul acknowledged the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, describing it as a Category 5 storm that struck 27 days ago. She praised those involved in sending aid to the island nation: “But when the tragedy strikes as it did 27 days ago when a Category 5 hurricane pummeled that island of over two million people — creating havoc and flooding and destroying homes and places of business and destroying lives — we didn’t turn our backs and say, ‘No, we’ve got enough of our own problems here in New York,’ we turned outward to find paths to say, ‘You have friends far away and we care about you.’ So that is what this is all about.”
The governor also thanked several elected officials for their support in these efforts. “And I want to thank our elected leaders here too. Our Congressmembers, Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres, for fighting the good fight for us in Washington every single day. It is not easy out there. We are blessed to have you. Keep up the fight. We’ll keep supporting you. Also, our State Senator, Gustavo Rivera has joined us, I thank you for your leadership here. We have our Assemblymembers, Dais and also Dinowitz is here as well, Jeffrey Dinowitz. Did I see him come in? Okay. Got them all here. And Jamaal Bailey, Senator Jamaal Bailey. I know you heard a lot of applause for him when he walked in the room.”
She concluded by expressing gratitude toward those helping with relief efforts: “But I’m just here to say, thank you. I’m so proud of what you’re doing here today. So proud… And as you see these packages here today and know they’re getting on a plane, just in a matter of days, know that they’ll be in the hands of people who are so desperate for help. And they know that they have a state known as New York, where New York loves Jamaica with all its heart.”
“So thank you everybody for being on the front lines, not just here, but the front lines of Jamaica taking care of our people. Thank you so much, everyone,” she said.
