Gov.: Build tribute for the victims

On the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria’s deadly assault on Puerto Rico, Gov. Cuomo on Thursday proposed erecting a monument in New York City honoring the victims, survivors and “the resilience of the Puerto Rican community.”

Cuomo Thursday signed an executive order creating a Hurricane Maria Memorial Commission to come up with recommendations by Sept. 30, 2019, for the site, design and installation of the memorial somewhere in Battery Park City.

A George Washington University report last week estimated nearly 3,000 Puerto Ricans lost their lives as a result of the storm and its aftermath.

“New Yorkers have always had a deep connection with our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and this memorial will show that this country loves and respects our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and we will never allow what happened to happen again,” Cuomo said.

The governor also reiterated his plans to sue the federal government over what he deemed its anemic response to the storm, particularly when compared to other natural disasters on the mainland.

“We are going to sue the federal government for a violation of the equal protection clause,” Cuomo said Thursday at the Holy Family Church in the Bronx. “Because, Mr. President, this is a nation of laws, and all laws must be enforced with the same strength. And the rights of the people of Puerto Rico were violated.”

According to the governor, Puerto Rico suffered an estimated $100 billion in damages and has so far received about $5 billion in federal funding. The hurricane, with its devastating 155 mph winds — the third most powerful storm ever to hit U.S. soil.

its partnership to rebuild and stabilize the Puerto Rico power grid, Cuomo said.