RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, In the last two months, Latin American countries have been devastated by natural disasters of epic proportions, including hurricanes blasting Puerto Rico and the destructive earthquakes that shook Mexico; and
WHEREAS, On Tuesday, September 19, 2017, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico City and the surrounding area, causing widespread destruction and devastation throughout the region. The earthquake was so strong that dozens of buildings collapsed, including churches and schools, trapping men, women, and children under the rubble for days; and
WHEREAS, The earthquake caused over 300 deaths and 6,000 injuries in southwestern Mexico. Thousands more are without food, water, electricity, or shelter as their homes were destroyed and the infrastructure around them crumbled; and
WHEREAS, Rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by powerful aftershocks that ravaged the region for days, raising new concerns over the soundness of structures left standing; and
WHEREAS, Mexico was already reeling from a powerful earthquake that had struck just two weeks prior and will continue to need support for its recovery efforts; and
WHEREAS, On Wednesday, September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, bringing torrential downpours and devastating, sustained winds that gusted to 155 mph. Hurricane Maria pummeled Puerto Rico, flooding and destroying roads, homes, and businesses, and knocking out the island's power grid; and
WHEREAS, Coming on the heels of Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria's destructive impact largely destroyed many neighborhoods and communities, and has left millions without electricity for up to six months; and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Maria is likely one of the costliest natural disasters to ever hit Puerto Rico, causing billions of dollars of destruction and economic loss; and
WHEREAS, The people of Puerto Rico are United States citizens who are currently suffering through the aftermath of two major hurricanes to hit the islands directly within a two-week span. Due to the widespread devastation in Puerto Rico, thousands of Puerto Ricans are expected to leave for the continental United States on a temporary or permanent basis; and
WHEREAS, Over 1,000 Puerto Rican evacuees have already arrived in Chicago since Hurricane Maria left its shores, and it is expected that several thousand more will be arriving as air travel on the Islands returns to normal; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Chicago Por Mexico Coalition were quick to organize and raise money for humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of the earthquakes. Juan Ochoa; Father Jose Landaverde of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church; Oscar Fragosa, President of Federacion de Duranguenses; Ruben Salgado, President of Federacion de Guerrero; Artemio Arreola, President of Federacion de Michoacanos; and Marisa Oar from Casa Mexico, Ciudad de Mexico deserve a special thanks for their efforts; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Puerto Rican community, led by Congressman Luis Gutierrez, were also quick to act and began raising money and supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Christina Pacione-Zayas and Jessie Fuentes from the Puerto Rican Agenda; Jose Lopez of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center; Sol Flores from La Casa Norte; Carlos Hernandez of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance; Pastor John Zayas from Grace and Peace Ministries; Pastor Lou Ramos of Storehouse Ministries; and Pastor Wilfredo DeJesus of the New Life Covenant deserve thanks for their efforts; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago has organized its own relief efforts to help both Mexico and Puerto Rico, including sending 22 Chicago firefighters and paramedics with communication equipment and other disaster relief supplies to Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, To further facilitate safe, charitable giving, the City of Chicago has set up a website, cityofchicago.org/DisasterRelief, where Chicagoans can visit and determine how best they can assist in the various relief efforts for both Mexico and Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, To do their part to aid in the recovery efforts in both Mexico and Puerto Rico, the City Council Latino Caucus will be hosting a fundraiser on Wednesday, October 11, at Old Crow from 5:30pm to 7:00pm; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this eleventh day of October, 2017, express our condolences to the victims of Hurricane Maria and the earthquakes in Mexico, we commend the resiliency and courage of the people of Puerto Rico and Mexico, and we offer our hopes and prayers in support of the communities devastated by Hurricane Maria and the earthquakes in Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we stand ready to welcome and assist any residents from Puerto Rico or Mexico choosing to relocate to Chicago in the aftermath of these destructive events, and call upon all Chicagoans to help welcome those displaced because of the natural disasters in Latin America; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the City of Chicago is directed to deliver suitable copies of this resolution to the Honorable Ricardo Rossello, Governor of Puerto Rico, and to the Honorable Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Mexico, as a sign of our empathy and good wishes.