MIAMI, FL – U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, met with the Bahamas Consul General Linda Mackey to receive an update on disaster relief and search and rescue operations following Hurricane Dorian – the strongest recorded hurricane to make landfall on the Bahamas.
“It’s been a very traumatic week for, not only our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas, but for all those who reside here in South Florida who have yet to hear from some of their family members who have been struck by this monster hurricane,” said Mucarsel-Powell. “We know what it’s like when we have to recover after being hit by such a high-category storm, so we know that there is going to be a long road to recovery for our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas. Our purpose here, as we get ready to go back to Washington, D.C. on Monday, is to hear directly from Consul General Linda Mackey to see how we can help in terms of appropriating the funds that will be needed for humanitarian assistance.”
“I’ve heard from so many different sources that they haven’t seen this support in other hurricanes, so it means so much to us,” said Consul General Mackey. “We are so grateful, and we just hope that we can just make it easier for those who want to give and help. It’s overwhelming. The grief is great but the love and support and generosity, that is also unprecedented. So we are very grateful.”
Joining Mucarsel-Powell for the briefing were other members of the South Florida congressional delegation, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), and Donna Shalala (FL-27).
More footage from the press conference can be found here.
