Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul met with leaders from nonprofit and health care organizations to discuss ongoing relief efforts for Hurricane Melissa. The meeting took place at Montefiore Einstein, a well-known health care institution in the Bronx.
During her remarks, Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of community support in response to disasters. She acknowledged the role of Montefiore Einstein and its staff: “Montefiore Einstein is legendary in terms of people’s confidence that when they or their family members need top quality health care, they can get it when they come here. And I can see it in the faces of all of you who are part of this incredible family how much you truly care not just about people in the Bronx, but today, you’re demonstrating it goes beyond our boundaries. You care deeply about what is happening in the beautiful island known as Jamaica.”
Governor Hochul highlighted New York’s connection to Jamaica, noting that the state has the largest Jamaican population in the United States with over 200,000 residents. She stated: “New York is so proud to be the home of the largest Jamaican population in this country, over 200,000 strong.”
She also recognized Dr. Ozuah and members of local labor union 1199 for their commitment: “You are showing what heart is all about, right? You’re showing what heart is. Because you also have other responsibilities: taking care of patients here, taking care of your families, living life. But when 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 thanked elected officials present at the event for their support on both state and federal levels. “Our Congressmembers, Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres… Also, our State Senator Gustavo Rivera… Assemblymembers Dais and also Dinowitz… Jamaal Bailey…” she said.
Packages collected during these relief efforts will soon be sent to Jamaica. Governor Hochul addressed those involved by saying: “As you see these packages here today and know they’re getting on a plane… 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.”
She concluded by thanking everyone participating in these relief activities: “Thank you everybody for being on the front lines, not just here, but the front lines of Jamaica taking care of our people.”
